Event Coverage The Grand National Roadster Show

I've always looked at it like the wild show rods of the 60's. It's an endless game of oneupmanship, currently the oneupmanship is about build quality, in the 60's it was how much can you do to a car whether it's needed or not. They are very closely related, I just think this version is more appealing to my eye. All that being said, Swanders' rusty 32 appeals to my eye more than most of the AMBR contenders in recent memory.

 

I have the same thoughts. I can sure appreciate the craftsmanship it takes to build these cars. But, they don’t appeal to me like a car that has history and some battle scars from its past. I will probably always gravitate towards the cars that I see as attainable and that have soul as compared to cars that are nearly perfect.

 

Seeing Cody's Hotrod there amongst others that may have been just part of the show would have filled my void that the newer styled trick shiny stuff couldn't deliver...I guess I'm more for the driven lookers...ones you could take out and drive and not worry about getting a little dirt on...It was nice to see @GoJoMoJo's pickup and the @ANDEREGG TRIBUTE there alongside Blackies Hotrod...it's all art to me really...

 

Ryan, you expressed my feelings exactly. I took as many art classes in high school as possible. Including art history. I draw, paint and do some sculptures. Lots of artists in my family. I never went to college opting for a trade (tig welding).
I totally appreciate the workmanship shown in the best of the best at GNRS.
But, I grew up in a working class family and area. The hot rods that formed my passion were never going to win at prestige shows.
If a car had finished paint it was over the top.
Again I’m in awe of the top picks at the roadster show, but for me just show me the built in back yard hot rod with real deal parts.

 

Remember the old adage Ryan, "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink."

I too can appreciate the talent & work it takes to build the show stopping hot rods featured at the GNRS but for me I want to see cars that relate to my idea of hot rods, they wouldn't be seen competing for a award, Like you I am happy there is a place for these talented individuals to showcase their over the top builds.

I do like the old rods & customs that have been a part of history shown at the GNRS, but show me the cars that are drivers. The type of cars that are seen here on the Hamb is what I gravitate to, simple cars that ordinary guys build in their back yard. HRP

 

Absolutely they've been elevated to an art form and I guess that's good and I can surely appreciate them, but I don't really lust for them. I just enjoy being around real hot rods that are driven and enjoyed. I could never appreciate owning an AMBR contender even if I could afford one.

 

Car show “awards” seem sort of silly to me. Don’t need a bunch of “judges” telling me what’s cool, and what isn’t. Even historical hot rods don’t really trip my trigger. Besides being unobtainable, most of them have details I wouldn’t have done. The few I consider “perfection” have either been over restored or no longer exist. Building a Hot Rod with the help of a bunch of friends, to a level of my satisfaction, and still being a driver, is my focus. Going to shows like the GNRS is fun, but I’ll do the judging for myself.

 

Ryan, I was there. I get it. I walked through Building 4 and looked at the AMBR contenders. A few cars looked doable. I appreciated the TeeHee roadster of my friend, Chuck Stanfield's T roadster. A few orange 32 roadsters were cool but not my bag. Not a single one made a visceral gut twisting urge. I have been in this game for 40 plus years and it is very hard for me to get really excited about much anymore. When I was younger, I use to lust after so many cars and the style they exuded, now that I have seen so much I want to see more cars that replicate the era that I lusted over. That is why I'm in the process of building the car that gets my juices flowing. Keeps me in the groove at 65 years old. And if, just if, it is good enough, I may just enter it in the fray and see if it gets you all flowing too. Time will tell. Stay tuned

 

Well said. I don't need to be judged either. If ya dig it great, if ya don't I bet you will find something down the row you do like. That is what makes this hobby so enjoyable.

 

GNRS is why The Detroit Autorama has a basement. Just sayun'.

 

Jeff said here what I have felt for a long time - I am drawn by cars that are "attainable and that have soul". If I am at a car show this manifests itself in the amount of time I spend checking out the cars that are carrying the scars of use and enjoyment. I can spend hours checking them out and talking to their owners and hearing their story.

Trailer queens that are manually rolled off from trailers and then winched back onto their trailers when the show concludes are anathema to me. I can appreciate the detail and the craftsmanship - the "art" as it were, but there is absolutely no "desire" that awakens within me the way that it does when looking at a car that I could realistically buy, savor and enjoy.

 

The GNRS cars are definitely art, I appreciate the vision, the workmanship and the pure beauty of many of these cars. Would I like to own one You bet your ass I would, would I drive it - yep!
Will I every own one Nope mainly because I have neither the skills to build one of this caliber nor the funds to buy one. That’s alright I enjoy this stuff with out having to have.
Dan

 

I see the more recent contenders as the tourbillon of cars.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourbillon
Complexity defining the aesthetic, even when simplicity works as well or better for the base function.
It is technically and visually amazing, it is a natural evolution of competition in a narrowly defined structure. My father used to quote this often; Genius is the infinite capacity to take pains. These are the works of genius.
I will not say they have lost soul or lack the visceral thrill when operated, because I haven't driven one. I would guess that many do supply all the ability to go down the road in an interesting and enjoyable manner.
The upper echelons of craftsmen will always push to refine and exceed the design. I am very appreciative of them finding the common automobile as an outlet for their inspiration and creativity and sharing it with us.
It pleases me that I share a love for making a mass produced utilitarian device into an artistic personal reflection. I am personally happy that I have a beat up old neglected rod that I'm trying to make better in both function and aesthetics with my own limited abilities and when possible or necessary the talents of others.

EDIT: I'll also mention that while I understand and appreciate HAMB defining scope, I see the current and past contenders as also having an only slightly broader scope. I didn't see a carbon tub, advanced computer controlled everything, a single central display/interface or a drive yoke like Roth had in the Beatnik Bandit! It could easily be MUCH further from our shared preferences!

 

That sir is a hot rod, I absolutely love the '32 Fords but when talking about a quientsitual hot rod I always think of the Niekamp roadster. HRP

 

I dig em. Over the top craftsmanship. Guys getting paid to do the best they can possibly imagine.
Got a close up on a couple Troy builds this summer. Outstanding. I’m glad guys get to flex their skills like they do.

I’m also impressed with home made skidders, log trucks, doodle bug tractors and what ever Rube Goldberg contraption someone created to get the job done.

so there’s that

“To nice to drive”. That doesn’t exist. If it moves it cruises.

Id park my bus right beside Tyoy’s 36 with a big ole cheesy grin.

 

I have done long distance road tours with cars built by Troy. I know his stuff is built so they can be driven.
So, while the winner is truly a piece of jewelry, please don't think of it like a 60's show rod that is not roadworthy.
If offered the opportunity, I'd drive the winner from SoCal back to Illinois today, with a huge smile on my face, the same as if driving my own rod.

 

"... you can’t force yourself to feel something that just isn’t there."
Profound.
Conversely, you can't deny feelings that are there.
At least, it's not a good idea.
Both are very important and beneficial realizations that can lend consoling perspective.

Perfection?

Sometimes, what I perceive as having profound beauty can likely bring tears to my eyes.
Never once has a highly rubbed-on absolutely "perfect" show car affected me in that way. Awe, yes. Emotion, no.
But less perfect, rough around the edges, purpose-built, driven hot rods that conjure imaginings of times past...
... definitely have.

Probably cuz they're not mine.

 

I'm with you Ryan....I like old cars. The "old" is a big part of it. Not just the aesthetics, it's the history, either real or the many you can imagine.

 

My all time favorite roadster.