Featured Event Coverage AMBR 2026 Contenders

Mine too - he and his son came to our 4EVER4 meeting a couple months ago in his "street" car.

 

Yes all the judges judge every car (I think there are 9 judges) and I read somewhere the amount of time each owner/builder has to talk to each judge but I can't remember exactly what it was. I didn't think it was a lot though. The judges watch the cars drive in as that is part of the judging. To see how the car looks moving and with a driver inside. As for your other questions your guess is as good as mine. The regular indoor participants have to have entries in by the beginning of Oct but there is a separate entry form for AMBR cars that you have to email to get so not sure if it's different or not.

Yeah the quality is beyond top level on these cars. Lots of the shops show their work on social media as they work towards the show and most of them take years to complete. I think it is fantastic that there are guys out there with deep enough pockets that let these fantastic craftsmen display their skill.

 

I agree. I stopped by Hollywood Hot Rods while they were building the Packard that went on to win GNRS a few years ago. Seeing the different stages before the car was finished, allowed you to understand a lot about the build. Hope everyone has a great time, hope to get there again in the future.

Bob

 

To me, the running and driving portion is extremely important. I have compared that to a graceful woman walking across the room. Captivating or not.

 

I kinda wonder though if some of those cars are like a woman trying to walk across the room in 6" platform heels...not necessarily very graceful.

 

The more videos and pictures I see the more I like the Squeege built Nicole Baird '32. To me it has the most personality while still being impeccably well built but I think the winner is going to be a toss up between the two '33's.

 

I never stop being amazed at the workmanship on the cars. I'm not a beginner but I wonder if one person could build a car to the level that it takes to compete?

 

That depends on how old he is when he starts on it. Just kidding. I'm sure it's probably been done, but it would be quite an endeavor.

 

How long would it take to aim the damn headlights? That kind of **** drives me crazy. This isn't cars and coffee.

 

Been watching Mike and the Big Creek Restoration 33/34 roadster build for a couple years. First saw it in bare metal 2 years ago at the ROC. Shortly after that the customer decided he wanted to make a run at the AMBR. Mike and his crew have thrown everything they had at the project and I think it turned out great. Will they win, it remains to be seen. Compe***ion as always is tough. Getting there is one thing, winning is another.

 

That is not necessarily true. There is a speed 33 body in the AMBR hunt again. Like mine, it has side windows.

 

Last years winner although built at Rad Rides was pretty much entirely built by one of his guys. Adam Banks. He even did the upholstery. Obviously a regular person doesn't have the access to all the tools and equipment someone working at a shop like Troy's has but still pretty remarkable on a car of that level.

 

Cars cannot have roll up windows to compete for the award.

 

Even the 'homebuilt' cars at this level tend to have help. Aside from the time/money/craftsmanship, it's a huge amount of commitment.

 

I saw a YouTube walk around video on this car a bit ago. It has no side windows. Smooth door tops. It’s a good looking car when viewed from different angles.

 

I'm not sure why we keep ***uming the judges can't tell if a car has side windows or not.

 

I was told that Beth Myers (not Meyers) '34 (not '33) roadster is a "modern interpretation of" and/or was "inspired by" the yellow roadster on the cover of the April 1951 issue of HOT ROD MAGAZINE:

​

UPDATE . . . I guess the "rumor" I was told is actually true:

images by Jack @jakespeed55 Stratton​

 

Hot Rod cover yellow 33/34 was probably the inspiration for the nose on the Jim Jacobs cover car coupe ( Rod & Custom) Now owned by P&J's

 

As was said, a mixed bag. At least there's no over-the-top-graphics or baby **** colors this year (although one is a near-miss on color). I have no doubt that workmanship is excellent on every one.

Well, everyone has an opinion, here's mine in ascending order...

The '35 and '37. These represent the swoopie crowd.... meh...

The black and green '32s. Sorry, I've seen this movie before.

The Chavic '32. This car is a clash of eras and directions and so is more than a bit incoherent looking. The E&J headlights were the final straw.

The '32 Phaeton. It's a phaeton, not roadster, sorry. And what is that 'can' sticking out of the firewall?

My final three...

The other Baird '32. I do really like this car, it's a near-perfect late '50s/early '60s hot rod. Two flaws: one, unless the rear axle is solid-mounted, you're gonna take paint off the quarterpanels. It needs a wider track, smaller tires or lifted up a couple of inches. Two, the Buick motor looks naked with just the FI stacks. Fuel injection wasn't really a street option in those days. Put two fours or six twos on it and fix the rear, this would be my #1 choice. Yeah, I know, nit-picking... but that's what this contest is about.

The Myer '33. If sheer visual impact was a main criteria, this one would win hands down. Great stance (although it also looks a bit low in the rear), flawless flow front to rear and eye-searing color just screams HOT ROD! Two minor downchecks for the unobtainium motor and the slightly too-modern interior. Just missed being my #1 pick...

Which is the Fairleigh '33. Perfect stance, great flow but I primarily picked this one for the pure tire-meltingness of it all. Yeah, it isn't a 'trad' motor, but with the full hood you can open the hood and apologize after waxing the other guys ***...LOL. And I didn't read through all the comments, but did anyone else notice that the top folds into the body? If somebody said I could have any one, this would be my choice.

I have no clue which car the judges will pick, but I wouldn't have any issue with these three.

 

I agree, it has the most personality, its fabulous. They've adopted a lot of the touches and details that Doug used to build that gorgeous candy apple red 32 roadster for his Dad, that paid a homage to the 32 coupe that set the Squeeg's Kustoms ball rolling 60 odd years ago, and that car is still my favourite 32 roadster build of the recent decades, so perhaps also not a surprise why this Squeeg built roadster is my pick of this years AMBR contenders.
I agree though about the 33's being one of the winners, probably the Fairleigh 33 will likely win imho.

 

I’d love to have any one of them sitting in my shop. Kudos to the talented and committed folks who built them. After reading through this thread, one thing is for sure, pointing out likes and dislikes is “traditional.”

 

I wondered why the blue pre 32 cars had shaved the door handles, but not the hinges, but I did some research and discovered that some of the early open cars came that way from the factory- I feel like such a gr***hopper.

 

Stanley Chavik's car for me. As if Ford went to Le Mans before WWII, not directly but via a privateer team. I understand Chavik is originally from Zlin, Czech Republic, 2.5 hours drive across the border from me so it does not surprise me.

 

Just saw on a video (royboy productions) that the mirrors on the Fairleigh car double as the latch releases for the doors. You pull them like a door handle and it opens the door. Just crazy details on all these cars.

 

Meh.
None of them do much for me. Bland bunch.

 

I just saw that too!
I enthusiastically pointed it out to my wife who nodded her head, then went back to whatever she was doing.

 

I'm impressed with the vibe they got out of it, but it does look like they nixed the windows. And to all the "...what motor.." questions, while I didn't check every reply that's clearly a Boss 429 platform. No mistaking it, and the "520" designation probably calls out the CID. And yes they get even bigger...inside. I can't opine about the rest, I'll wait til I see more detailed pics of some of em. As much as I also like the 32 with the nail head, I wouldn't have painted the reveals white but they didn't build it for me so there's that.

 

I really like the 32 with the nailhead a lot and I’m sure the quality of build is exceptional coming out of Squeeg’s shop. If we’re going to mention personal tastes though, I’ll have to say the one thing that I don’t like is the whitewalls that are out of proportion from front to rear. I know, that’s probably being ridiculous, but that’s always been a pet peeve of mine when you see more whitewall on one end than on the other. Once seen, you can’t unsee it. Ok I’m done. Lol

 

For you skeptics on the mystery Ford engine. One first showed up at AMBR in 2015.
https://www.hotrod.com/news/the-1932-ford-that-the-2015-grand-national-roadster-couldnt-turn-away