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59th Grand National Roadster Show - Grand Opening - Expanded For Web59th Grand National Roadster Show From the February, 2009 issue of Rod & Custom By Kev Elliott
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It doesn't seem like much-seven buildings and a whole three days to get around them all, plus outdoor vendors and what should have been two days of outdoor cruise-in show cars, though torrential downpours on Sunday stopped all but the most hardy car owners. But, man, there's never enough time to see everything, and while we journos like to talk as we go 'round shooting pictures, we also get the privilege of being in those buildings after the public and exhibitors have left for the evening. How do you think we get all those shots with no people in them? No, there's never enough time to truly examine every car there, which surely means the promoters are doing a great job of entertaining the spectators. And, there's something for everyone, too, from the contenders for the America's Most Beautiful Roadster trophy to lowriders, from musclecars to the traditional rod and custom entrants in the Suede Palace. Then, there's the pinstriping auction, opportunities to meet George Barris, Billy Gibbons, the cast of American Graffiti, Russ Mitchell of Exile Cycles, and more, as well as bands and a pinup contest in the Suede Palace. The Jalopy Shoppe brought... The Jalopy Shoppe brought out Rodrigo Magallones' in-progress '31 coupe. The frame will be painted black, but the bare-metal body will be finished with a coat of clear. The '53 Studebaker engine had most spectators fooled. But, the cars are the main draw, of course, and, for readers of R&C, probably the most exciting car on display was the freshly restored Ala Kart, which won the AMBR trophy exactly 50 years previous. Roy Brizio Street Rods did an outstanding job bringing back this iconic roadster pickup, and, as if one Barris-built original wasn't enough, the restored Aztec '55 Chevy and Sam Barris' '49 Merc were also on display. A short walk away, in Building 5, you could find Bill Hines, with a couple of his creations, namely the restored Buddha Buggy and his El Camino. Despite being a popular choice to take the 9-1/2-foot-tall trophy, the Ala Kart didn't score its third AMBR title (personally speaking, it was a shame, as so many of those involved with this car 50 years ago are still around, but perhaps its history went against it). It did win Outstanding Paint and the Blackie Gejeian Award of Excellence, though. In the end, the one that had all the right checks on the judges' forms and took the big trophy and title was Rudy Necoechea's '32 roadster (although we couldn't find a '32 Ford part on it), built by Scott's Hot Rods. We all have our own opinions when it comes to the big winners, and I guess that's one of the things that keeps us coming back. We know we'll be there next year.  Barry Lobeck has built some...  Barry Lobeck has built some remarkable roadsters over the years, but this honey-colored '32 (that's what the card said-don't ask us) roadster, designed by Thom Taylor and built for Sam and Patty Magarino, may be his masterpiece.  John D'Agostino knocked us...  John D'Agostino knocked us out (again) with his custom '61 Olds Starfire convertible. The Aladdin features custom bodywork by Bill Hines, and Oz Kustoms and Marcel's Custom Metal also contributed to the success of the final product.  Check out the paint on Richie...  Check out the paint on Richie Valles' Green Eyes '59 El Camino, especially the metalflake shot on the top, bed, and fins. Unique Twist handled the paint and body build.  Roddy and Sally Moore bought...  Roddy and Sally Moore bought and restored The Beauty, originally built by Bob Bateman in 1956 using a '32 roadster body channeled 8-1/2 inches over a 6-inch Z'd '32 frame. A '51 Olds 338 and LaSalle trans power the rod, which still lives in Virginia.  The AMBR-winning '32 roadster...  The AMBR-winning '32 roadster of Rudy Necoechea made its debut at the Detroit Autorama and showed up for West Coast enthusiasts in Pomona. The LS1-powered rod took full advantage of the Vegas theme for the weekend.  Steve Young's just-finished,...  Steve Young's just-finished, traditionally oriented, Hemi-powered '32 sedan was designed by the owner along with Tommy Otis, and built at Tri-C Engineering.  Bo Swan didn't have far to...  Bo Swan didn't have far to bring his '54 Chevy, as his hometown of Ontario is about 10 miles from the Fairplex. Bo entered his 'flake-roofed chopped 'n' dropped Bel Air in the Suede Palace.  Rotten Rodney and Marlene...  Rotten Rodney and Marlene Bauman built the Copper Coupe Deuce for Robin Welborn. The original steel body, which Robin has owned since 1968, rides on a Classic Street Rod Manufacturing chassis. The engine is a 350ci Ram Jet. This was the first show for the beautiful five-window-and the last.  George Prajin's traditionally...  George Prajin's traditionally inspired highboy took a shot at the AMBR title. Wheeler's Speed Shop built the '32 using a Brookville body on a modified SO-CAL frame. Ray Zellar built the Hilborn-injected 392 Hemi. The handles were shaved, but the hinges retained.  The Ala Kart was back in competition...  The Ala Kart was back in competition this year, exactly 50 years after it first graced the floor of the Oakland Exposition Building and took the AMBR trophy. It was even displayed with two wheels off and the jackstands wrapped in aluminum foil, just as it had been back in the day.  Scott Miller calls his coupe...  Scott Miller calls his coupe a '31 Fordillac, powered as it is by a '50 Caddy 331 motor. A T5 five-speed and '46 banjo rear complete the drivetrain, while those oh-so-cool wire wheel covers are from a '32 Packard. With a 6-inch channel and 5-1/2-inch chop, this sucker's low!  Club participation was predominant...  Club participation was predominant in the Suede Palace, with a number of clubs supporting organizer Alex's club, the Shifters. The chopped and channeled Livewire '31 coupe runs a '52 Caddy 331 and Hydramatic, backed by a '56 Pontiac rearend. Owner Piero Deluca is the talent behind the Mad Fabricators Society DVDs.  Richard and Pat Riddell now...  Richard and Pat Riddell now own the Black Widow T, but it was magazine-featured as early as 1954. Built in 1952 by Wally Olson and later reworked by Bill Scott, it won many awards at early '60s shows. The chrome cycle fenders and nerf bars are way cool.  Entered in the Early Altered...  Entered in the Early Altered Street Roadster class, Tiffany Collins' '27 Chevy modified, dubbed the Singapore Sling, was built at husband Dan Collins' Old Gold Garage, using a 283 Chevy with three 94s and a shortened and narrowed phaeton body, painted by Nick "O" Teen.  Seen in the same building...  Seen in the same building where the Top 75 Deuces were last year, the Lloyd Bakan '32 coupe was looking fantastic, after a restoration by owner Don Orosco and an appearance at last year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.  It makes my day when I see...  It makes my day when I see an owner-built rod at a show like this. Jim Keeter built his own chassis and tackled the bodywork, welding, wiring, painting, plumbing, machining, and assembly of his fine '30 coupe. Check out the "Featured Cars" section of our Web site for a closer look at Jim's coupe.  Rick Dore entered this stunning...  Rick Dore entered this stunning '36 roadster in AMBR competition, though it stood little chance with the doors, hood, and decklid closed. Makes it look nicer in pictures, though, and, interestingly enough, the other '36 kustom in contention was displayed the same way. Don't mess with the flow, man!  Fresh out of Pinkee's Rod...  Fresh out of Pinkee's Rod Shop was this '32 Tudor, rolling on one-off wheels by Boyd wrapped in big 'n' little bias-plies. It was based on the same sectioned Deuce chassis Pinkee's debuted last year, but the sedan sports a four-carbed Hemi and marine headers. Check out R&C next month for a few pages devoted to this in-progress beast.
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