Detroit Autorama vs Grand National Roadster

If you could only take in or participate at one show, which one would you choose and why, disregarding distance.
Ron

 

Detroit hands down. Absolutely amazing show, every year.

 

I have been to each one and if I had to pick one the GNRS would be my first choice.


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been to both also
GNRS X2

 

GNRS.
It's warmer down there.
I have been to both.
Cobo Hall 25th and Cobo Hall 50th.

 

Been to both....GNRS for 2 reasons. The variance of cars vs. the middle coast and the break from the winter for a weekend. Seeing that I'm an hour from Detroit its where I'll be this year.

 

Both are great shows. I would choose the GNRS because there's a lot of other stuff going on in the Pomona area that you can hit while you're there (So-Cal Speed, Peterson Museum, NHRA Museum, etc, etc). Weather is warmer too.

 

Kirk; My son took this picture when we showed the "Ghost Rider Roadster" at the 2011 Autorama. The weather was perfect and it was a lot warmer than what we had in the Great White North, for that time of the year.
Ron

 

Definitely the GNRS. Been to both many times. Riddler cars will never see the street. With the new criteria, I've seen GNRS finalist cars driven to shows. Also, GNRS has a building full of historical street and race cars, not rat rods in a basement. That being said, they are two different shows and we need variety. A big plus about the GNRS is the grounds around the buildings are packed with quality cars that are a show in itself.

 

I have done both, would check GNRS over detroit everytime.

 

Gnrs

 

Umm lets see, born in Detroit, lived in the city until I was in elementary school, still live in the Metropolotin Detroit area, been going to Cobo since I was a little kid.....my answer.....Grand National Roadster Show!!!! Get me the f##$@%@ out a here for a long weekend in January......Hell Ya!!!!! If ya need a clean up guy I'm your man!

 

Been to both...GNRS

 

been to both and showed also
GNRS is the cats meow famous builders, warmth, otherplaces to go to
and about 1/3 of Canada was there acording to liscense plates and its warm

and it has parking

not a broken down basement and parking tickets

 

.........when it comes to rods and customs, no place does it like Southern California....GNRS!

 

Born and raised in Amsterdam The Netherlands I remember buying the hotrod magazines. Now after more than 30 years of reading magazines articles about the GNRS for the first time we signed up with two of our home builds. Little nervous , but what the heck I have to take this of my bucket list. Now me and my son (13) are very excited to see this historical and famous GNRS event and to participate. <o></o>
See you in Jan 2013 if we make the 2400 Km drive !
Ben and Mika / Duncan BC Canada <o></o>

 

I have been to both. GNRS GNRS GNRS GNRS GNRS GNRS GNRS GNRS GNRS GNRS GNRS GNRS GNRS GNRS!!!!!!


Detroit's an alright show but it's not worth the hassle of the trip for the most part. The real draw to that show is the Henry Ford museum which is not far away. If my friends didn't go to Detroit every year I'd probably wouldn't go back but they do so this year might be my 3rd year in a row.

GNRS on the other hand is one of those shows that if you go once you'll want to go every year. I love it.

 

I should say I've had a fun time in Detroit every year. It's definitely worth looking into but if you're looking for the shear volume of quality hot rods, then GNRS is the place. If you're looking to have a good time and party in the basement then Detroit might be your best option.

 

im looking foward to GNRS 2013.Will be my first time and all the way from the highlands of scotland(u.k)

 

Detroit was a great trip for us, but GNRS wins hands down.. Venue, cars, builders, SoCal location, driven cars, etc...

 

Been to both. Grew up in Detroit. Live in Los Angeles. I would hands down pick Detroit Autorama. As a kid I met Ed Roth Bill Hines Alexander Brothers Gene Winfield in Detroit. It holds a special place for me no matter what. But with what GMRS have added with suede place and other things they are closing in. But then again Detroit added the Basement years ago. Detroit had a low in the late 80's early 90's just look at the Ridlers from those years. Then again the AMBR has picked lots of street rod big wheel stupid cars. So my vote is AUTORAMA!

 

I really wanted to show my roadster this winter at both events but as circumstances would have it, the Autorama will be the only one I will be at. I have been many times to the Detroit show as a spectator and have only shown once but I have enjoyed all of it. I guess, if I can work things out and if I'm really lucky I will take the roadster to California next winter..
Ron
p.s. I really enjoy the walk from the hotel to Cobo Hall in the morning !

 

In the downstairs at Detroit,is there more traditional rods & customs or more R#t rods?--Don't care if I see the "upstairs" type cars or not. And don't want to go see a bunch of r#ts neither

 

The quality of the cars in the basement at Autorama has gone up considerably in the last few years. Very few (like maybe two) rat rods last year.

More and more professional builds are showing up each year (including my own this year).

I'd love to make GNRS some day, but it's not in the cards any time soon.


.

 

Lets see, GNRS or Detroit Autorama? Well I have been to both and have to say that the group of 24 of us in the TBOLTS Car Club that attended were treated royally by Bob Larivee Jr. and we were saddened to hear of his passing & it was a great show & we had a great time, weather was brisk & cold but no snow! Took in the Henry Ford, F 150 assembly plant and Rousch Racing while we were there! Now on the other side, I'm a bit prejudiced as I was the GNRS Show Dierector for 5 years under the Dan Cyr ownership and helped the current owner/John Buck for a short while when he took over. The GNRS was always a good event in Nor Cal, but not great & when it moved to SoCal I was involved in that decision & it was a good one! We were proud of the GNRS in those first 2 years at Pomona under the Dan Cyr ownership however over the last 4 years+ John Buck has taken a good show "The Grand Daddy of Them All' and made it into the "Greatest" indoor car show I have ever attended year after year. The 9 big bLdgs are full with every type of specialty vehicle including the AMBR candidates plus over 1000 beautiful vehicles parked outside in the warm Calif. weather on Saturday & Sunday. Vendors of every type of automotive products galore with entertainment and more & more!! Hands down the GNRS is the better event & the weather is So Cal & all the Hot Rod & Custom ICONS, the open houses at famous Hot rod shops, the NHRA & Pertersen plus the Justice Bros. Museum and celbrities just walking around the show are just more premium fuel in your tank & a better reason to put the GNRS on your bucket list,at least a few lines above the Detroit Autorama!! Krooze safe!!

 

GNRS!!!! Hands down the best show!

 

I've been to both the Detroit Autorama (spectator only) and the GNRS (several times including, three with a car in the show and 3 or 4 times in the Drive-In). I am biased, but I think GNRS is the best.

 

GNRS This is the show to attend if you only have one choice. I lived and worked in Detroit and attended every year, but after retiring in LA I feel this show has it all and is getting better every year with a bldg. 9 special each year. This year is the Woodies.

 

Just wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a BIG thanks for posting your opinions. We won't be able to make the GNRS in 2013 but if real lucky, just might be able to get the roadster there in 2014. By the sounds of it, I just have to get there...at least once.
All the very best,
Ron
p.s. if your are at the Detroit Autorama in March, stop by and say hello. We will be on the lower level.

 

I haven't attended the GNRS since its been in SoCal... Late 80's GNRS to current Autorama... Detroit! but, what I've seen of the changes to the GNRS... they have really improved over the last few years... the competition for the 9" gold is more traditional too...