Featured Hot Rods 2025 GNRS Contenders

To me, looking through all the contenders, cars like the Rad Rides 36 (while undeniably a work of art) are a bit overdone. I like the simpler entries.

Dark green, orange, and blowers seems to be the trends this year.

 

Troy Trepanier is one of my favorite builders. That '36 is pretty cool. But that RPU with the banger...I'd sell my wife for that thing. And yes, I kinda like her...a lot!

 

Does the bucket get no love? It and the ‘36 are my 2 picks.

 

So, three different orange 32 roadsters this year in the competition?

 

Worth the wait. IMO

 

Yeah that and green seem to the colour de jour.

 

The 32 RPU would get my vote many times over.

 

I’m biased to the RPU for the small part I played in it. Building the generator after it came from body and paint with a finish on it that rivaled the paint on the car was nerve wracking. It’s also sporting one of my custom made speedometer cables.

 

I like the 32 RPU and that it has a banger with a Riley 4 port.

 

I like them all. Nothing here says money, but no taste which has happened before.
I know many or all of these are multiyear money pits. I appreciate people still do this, and this years entries all appeal to me for various reasons.
I have a soft spot for the T, but I kind of question recreating a car that was not a huge influence to the masses. Moonkist and Sunkist were more defining, at least to my view. I guess the owner found that one their own personal pinnacle. A bucket is bringing a knife to a gun fight, so I give them credit for that.
The RPU looks like the most HAMB worthy entrant, along with the Blue 32. The Green 32 is also a very nice build. EDIT: Both Model As, not '32s.
Due to my exposure at that age, the Cool style Orange 32 is tops of the 70s style 32s. The black/flames one and the Orange cammer one are beautiful, but of those I pick it.
The 36 phaetons are beautiful, I'd pick the Greeen one over the two tone using only the single picture, but against the fenderless coachbuilt, both are less dramatic.
This is just seeing the same pics here we all see. I've had cars that wowed on screen and others that spoke in person.

 

Negative points for those fly eye air cleaners:

 

I need to find some seat belts, like this one has...although you can't see them in this picture!

 

Doesn't work for me. I get it that it's the New Wave of how it should be But. It's too much of Mix-n-Match between Street Rod and Custom and Billet. Then there's the Missing "I'm a Hot Rod" stance. Who builds a hot rod with ground level stance? The most obvious thing wrong to me is all 4 corners have the same size Tires on them on wheels that really miss the mark for overall visual effect. I know, I know, it's all about Show Points and he may in fact win his class, but it wouldn't be with my vote. Come to think of it, I never vote for the winner, Must be my taste.

 

I beyond agree!

I respect the craftsmanship of the '36 roadster, but I do not care much for the car as a whole. The air filter to me doesn't fit to me either.

I'm so glad tho, to see so many roots blowers, Dzus fasteners, louvers and traditional style contenders this year!

 

What's the deal with holding the hood on with springy belts?

 

That was done a couple decades ago on one of the contenders and has become the de rigueur method for holding a hood top down. I liked it originally, but it's IMHO like an overplayed rock hit on the radio, especially at this level.

https://www.limeworksspeedshop.com/Hood-Straps-Kits-Leather-Parts-s/502.htm

 

And the windshield slant….points off in my book!

 

That's a trend I could do without!

 

Contrast is cool like wearing tan shoes and belt with a grey suit rather than black, that's cool.
This to me is like wearing sneakers with a tuxedo. It is contrasting, but...

 

Well, if we are going to critique, I hate those filters. They have no place on any fuel fed car.
Breakable Glass with gaskets that tend to leak and tiny holes at each end.

If you are going glass old school, use something like this

 

The Slonaker is a bizarre assortment of vehicles this year. Most are not really HAMB friendly not sure it they get a pass like the AMBR contestants do for this one time this year. I will post what is even remotely close to appropriate here and if they need to be deleted so be it. In addition to these there is some weird VW Thing that looks like it has been made into a side by side type deal, a '32 ford with terrible wheels and a De Tomaso Pantera.

Start with Cody's Ardun Killer

 

The last 36 looks like it took the roof from the Monkeemobile.

 

this is incredible!

 

...especially in a head-on collision [radical w/s slant].

 

Armchair critic that I am, still loving the Dennis Kyle/ Phil Cool looking hiboy, fly eyes and slanted window above all! Troy's build looks AMAZING, and I do like the T turtledeck. The Slonaker cars, I've seen video of that gold Pontiac rumbling in and I like the Fairlane. So many earth tones.....the clincher is a show setting doesn't do many of these justice; seeing them outside would change many critics initial reception of them.

 

Can see why the Rad Rides '36 might well end up being the winner, but it doesn't float my boat at all.
In fact, none of them are really grabbing my by the throat and saying drive me home. Maybe the dark green RPU with black fenders is the one that ticks most boxes for me.

 

Ok, so viewing them in person I have to say they are all very nice. Even if I don't live them they are all really well done. Very nice. That said, the rpu may be my favorite, not sure these photos really do it justice. These are just some cel phone pics, I thought you guys might want to see th em.

 

Is there a single item on the Troy built '36 that is actually from 1936?

 

Seems like another rather weak year. My bet is on the Rad Rides build will win, although my preference would be the RPU or the blue A.