Event Coverage Thanks for TJJ GNRS "Best Roadster" Award!

I just wanted to take the time to publicly thank Ryan and everyone on the HAMB for voting my car as the "Best Roadster" at GNRS!

When I found out my roadster was nominated I was truly honored. However, I didn't think I'd have a chance of winning against such stiff competition!

It's been a dream of mine for a long time to have my roadster finished to a level that'd be worthy of showing at GNRS. Since it's a driver, I knew it wouldn't score very high on the judges score cards, so I never expected any recognition for it.

Finding out that such a huge group of my peers deemed my car worthy of this award is overwhelming. Who cares what a handful of indoor car show judges think when you've got the peoples vote! Receiving this award has made this whole indoor show experience extremely gratifying, to say the least.


Here's a shot of myself and Skinny Jeff flanking Jimmy White, the very gracious 2nd place winner doing his best "Tall guy" impression!


And here's a shot of myself and Limey Steve looking like a not so gracious 3rd place finisher with his Class Winner trophy and my "Participation" award!


Jimmy and Steve are great guys and even better sports, and I am honored to be in their company as well as all the other condenders for this award(Kim and Chuck Vranas, HHR Troy, etc...).


Thanks to John Mearns aka "Acme Speed Shop" for making the trophy and hanging around to make sure I got it. It was a pleasure meeting you John! Your '36 is amazing!



Unfortunately, my buddy Fabian Valdez of Vintage Hammer Garage couldn't be there on Sunday for the awards ceremony. So we got together Monday night with family for a celebratory dinner. Here's Fabian and I with the award.


Fabian is responsible for all the metalwork, body, and paint on the roadster. He's been "The Man" on this project from the beginning and has helped take it from a pile of parts in the back of my el camino 9 years ago to what you see now.


I'd also like to thank:

Jeff Bachar, for helping out during crunch time with body work and block sanding.

Lee Pratt, for helping out with block sanding and shaking his head in disbelief at the amount of work that's gone into this car.

Last and most importantly, I owe the biggest thanks to my wife Diana and son Thomas. They have both sacrificed a lot to get this car done, and I am extremely grateful for their patience, understanding, and hard work.





Thanks guys!
See you on the road!

Tom

 

well derserved that is one bitchin roadster! concrats

 

Sharp car -clean & simple. Very well deserved award!

 

Even happier that I voted for it knowing that it's a driver! Congrats, that's a beautiful roadster!

 

Big Congrats to you and you earned it. You have one of the most beautiful roadsters ever.

 

That fugger's cool. Congrats.

 

Congrats, Tom. Well deserved. I remember seeing your roadster in the parking lot at the Nugget after the rain-out in '05. It had a goldish tint to it then. Flash rust on bare metal. It sure has come a long way since then.
Paul

 

Loved it in bare metal.........Love it even more now that it is painted.

Congrats on the award.

 

Tom if your 32 doesn't raise the hairs on any hot rodder's arms, then they can't call themselves a hot rodder. Period.

well done on a justly deserved award.

 

That's awesome and a well deserved award...congrats!!
Absolutely gorgeous car you built!

 

is that a Studebaker in there?
if I'd known that I would have voted for it- again!

absolutely beautiful car Tom

 

So so so well deserved...It has to be one of the cleanest & baddest roadsters!!

 

cool vehicle...cool experience I imagine....well deserved !!

 

Man congrats I really love that car not a thing I would change about it..........now go out and have fun with it

 

Congrats...family that plays together stays together!

 

Tom, congrats on building a awesome car!

 

Congrats man....you've got a killer roadster.

 

Awesome car, Gteat job to all.

 

Congrats ! Great car.

 

Very well deserved. A truly outstanding job.

 

That car looks like it jumped off the pages of one of the little books from back in the day. Nice to see that style still able to compete with the best todays best offerings. The new stuff just doesn't ring my bell, and a lot of others, as it's gotten so far from the what the essence of hot rodding started out being.

Frank

 

Congrats Tom, We were happy when we found that sign by that building that said "More Cars" The Roadster looked great sitting against the white wall flanked by two great coupes.

 

Awesome Hot Rod!

 

Congrats Tom!! Makes up for them stickin’ you back in building #3. See you at speed week.

Tom

 

This is truely one of the best looking roadsters ever. Color choice, stance...hell everything...you NAILED it!! Congrats!

 

Congratulations, Tom. Your roadster is just kick ass beautiful. Well done!

 

Awesome I'm so happy for all of you.

Wow, that's one hell of a beard.

 

Outstanding~

 

Tom, we've seen pics of your car on Fabian's website and know about its transformation. It is way cool! Congratulations from your friends in the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas. Gilbert and I are looking forward to meeting up with you all at the Roundup again this year. Send our regards to Mrs. Branch. Talk to you soon. Sam