Amazing Metal Flake Paint   Would you say 10 miles of masking tape??   By now, you've probably seen that the Grand National Roadster Show is one of the best. I used some pretty stupid criteria to say that: 1) Diversity of cars 2) Show at a ridiculously high caliber.   There aren't many shows with Hot Rods, the "America's Most Beautiful Roadster" contenders, then motorcyles and really, the most radically detailed and perfected rides of the event: Lowriders. Combine that fact (discuss/object if you like) with my amazement or maybe sheer disbelief in how metal flake paint like this is done and you've got some cool pics!     Taking a walk down Lifestyle Blvd (the car club that dominates GNRS lowrider hall every year) there's eye candy everywhere. The loweriders don't just wear candy-flaked-striped custom paint. That's only the start! On the highest-end lowrider, every single part of the car is customized.... either painted, chromed, etched... sometimes a combination of all. Then the interiors are perfect, the stereos rock and of course, they're laid out on hydraulics. There's not one ride half-stepping.   And my favorite of...

Dino's Chevy Truck Show to be bigger than Goodguys?   How many "Pre-shows" or warm-ups get their own show poster? And one done by ProblemChildKustoms.com no doubt? How should I know?!   I do know that Dino Battilana and his Chevy truck buddies, including new friends from http://67-72chevytrucks.com put on a show before Goodguys that brings in some great looking trucks and cars too. I even sneak my Ford powered roadster in there sometimes to hang with the "Chevy Only" crowd. To see what makes Dino tick... dig his Dropped Custom Chevy C10 Dually. So just a few pictures to share... This is Dino's latest finished build... As I said about Dino's last Dually (he sold it already)... He's got a knack for building trucks just enough to make them unique and highly desireable. Why steel wheels and caps? Minimal chrome? Simple, but ultra clean small block Chevy under the hood? Maybe because you've never seen a truck like that laying frame? Or ever? Dino's the master custom Chevy C10 builder! (more pics of this truck down below!)   Here's what's up next!   Another 60's C10... another dually and to stay...

The Suede Palace, for sure!   Take an Iowa "kid", ship him to hot rod mecca (in this case, the 2014 Grand National Roadster Show) and then ask him..."Well? Whadja like the best?" Aside from the pure California vibrations that set in just after stepping off the plane from the frigid Midwest, this hot rodder had a hard time sitting still over a two-day jaunt at the Pomona Fairplex where not only could your hot rod addiction be satiated, but you could easily overdose...all with a great big smile on your face.   The historic GNRS, celebrating 65 continuous years of car mania events, is everything and more, if you've heard any tales of what this show is all about. Let's see, the main building has all the potentials vying for 2014 America's Most Beautiful Roadster and they are surrounded by some of the finest custom and hot rod iron this car nut could ever imagine. Then there's oh, yes, five  more buildings filled full of chrome, speed and attitude only a fanatic could truly appreciate.     The Pomona complex is huge and the main building consumes hours...

2014 Grand National Roadster Show AMBR Winner The First Chevy to win? YES! See the complete list here: Grand National Roadster Show AMBR Winners 2014 America's Most Beautiful Roadster Winner: 1935 Chevrolet Phaeton owned by Wes Rydell After we started talking about Wes Rydell's 2014 rare Chevy, Mike Lynch got in touch and shared this info with us... From Mike: Most of the media coverage on early Chevrolets in the 1933—1935 era is on the coupes. Few people actually know much about them other than 1934-1935 standard series coupes that were made in glass and quite popular.   I have had my 35 standard series 3 window coupe since 1970.   The 1933 chevrolet line up involves the 107’ wheelbase STANDARD SERIES CC, of which only the 3 window coupe and a 2 door sedan were made and very little of these were sold. The other 1933 Chevrolet made was the MASTER SERIES CA 112” WHEELBASE. A lot of body styles were made… roadster , touring, cabriolet, 3 window coupes, 5 window coupes , 2 door sedans, 4 door sedans, sedan delivery. These outsold the standard series 10-1.   The...

2014 Grand National Roadster Show AMBR Winner Results are in!   2014 America's Most Beautiful Roadster Winner: 1935 Chevrolet Phaeton owned by Wes Rydell   As always, for any picture: Click to see the full-size image. 2014 America's Most Beautiful Roadster In MyRideisMe.com's 7th year at the Grand National Roadster Show, we successfully picked the winner again. (To see the other 2014 America's Most Beautiful Roadster Contenders click here) There's no doubt all 11 hot rods were great builds by passionate owners, but when looking for true beauty in a roadster, this 1935 Chevy Phaeton is another masterpiece!   It took about 30 years for Wes Rydell to finally put together his 1935 Chevy Standard Phaeton, a rare 4-door that has been around his Rydell Toy Shop in Grand Forks, North Dakota just waiting for the right touch. The 2014 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster got that touch not only from designer Chip Foose, but Rydell enlisted builder Troy Trepanier to complete the understated “driver” as he described the AMBR winner during last weekend’s 65th Annual Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, California.       To see all Grand National...

Choosing "America's Most Beautiful Roadster" for 2014 Another year at the "Grand-daddy of all hot rod shows, the Grand National Roadster Show. MyRideisMe.com is proud to be here for our seventh year of coverage online. In case you've been sleeping these last 7 years, Grand National Roadster Show, sometimes referred to GNRS, is the best of the west, maybe in the USA (you can decide here) hot rod and custom car show. Every year, the "America's Most Beautiful Roadster" contenders assemble for 1000's of Southern California hot rod enthusiasts to enjoy, bench race and judge. Before most people make it to the show, MyRideisMe likes to give a little preview of who might win the "AMBR" (pronounced "amber") Award and show a few pictures so you can decide.   There are a total of 11 roadsters contending. There were 12, but a very unfortunate accident happened during setup and one car was lost. We were shocked to hear AMBR judge and all around nice guy Vic Cunnyngham was injured as well. BUT! Vic's on the mend already and show promoter John Buck announced he'll be back at the show on...

Hot Rods, Custom Cars, Land Speed Racers and Classics 2014 GNRS in Pomona, CA If you're looking for the "2014 America's Most Beautiful Roadster" contender pictures, click here For more Hot Rod and Custom Car Pictures from GNRS, click here   Welcome to 2014!   The 2014 Grand National Roadster Show should be designated the 8th wonder of the world or at least placed up there well in line with the Super Bowl or what's it called? Oh yeah, the World Series! For addicted car people, this grand daddy of car shows puts virtually every kind of vehicle right in front of you...most within touching distance AND you get to see the contenders for the prestigious "American's Most Beautiful Roadster"! Really now...can anything be better?   There's still time to enjoy the festivities as the show runs through Saturday and Sunday, January 26 and 27.   It's tough to roll out favorites because there's just so much to choose from but here's just a few from the hundreds that are awaiting the crowds expected to finish out this wild car weekend in the Pomona Fairplex. We've spent one very...

 Hot Rods, Cold Weather... Now We're Talkin'!   John Wells definitely lives a life of danger. Putting together a first-time indoor hot rod show in the midst of a Midwest winter is bordering on madness, but watching Wells work, you know there's just a bit of madness lurking in that fast moving director of organized mayhem.   Retro Rewind 2014 is now in the history books, an event only Wells could conceive, plan and implement as a sibling event to his already successful TorqueFest and Iron Invasion gatherings. Retro Rewind brought together an amazing collection of traditional hot rods, custom cars, vintage bikes and go karts, classic guitars, pinstripers, pinups, hot rod films, high jammin' rock and roll, food, art... hey, you could even get yourself a super cool haircut by a real barber! Wells thought of everything and the packed event center in Dubuque, Iowa was diggin' it.     Of course it was the cars that headlined the event and there was enough diversity that anyone with a pulse of any kind could appreciate the mix of good old school, flat out cool hot rods and custom...

  Traditional hot rods and customs just aren’t complete without traditional pinups accompanying them either on the street, at the track or at a great indoor show like Retro Rewind which is happening in Dubuque, Iowa January 11 and 12, 2014.   Retro Rewind is another great show creation from the mind of John Wells who has found great success with his Midwest-bred Torquefest and Iron Invasion events. This first ever indoor event promises to not only bring out the best of traditional hot rod culture, but give both participants and spectators alike an incredible range of great entertainment.     A pinup contest will highlight Saturday’s event schedule and quite a number of young ladies, sporting only the best traditional style, have already committed to be part of the festivities. But, you might ask, where did pinups come from? Who came up with this crazy idea of hot rod babes dressing up the iron and leather of the custom car, truck and vintage bike crowd? Need we explain?   The term pinup girl was coined in the 1940s, but its beginnings were a whole lot earlier when female...

Hot Rod and Custom Car Show from John Wells   Midwest hot rodders are a very special breed. We hide out all winter long, suffering through extreme cold and mounds of white stuff that seems to clog virtually every nook and cranny of our otherwise pretty cool lives. (I know, I know… east coasters seem to have the same issues, but we’re talkin' the center of the country!)   John Wells has become the pied piper of us Midwest rodders. He says “come with me” and we follow. It’s just that simple and Wells’ newest event promises to be every bit as creative, exciting and traditional as his past projects where he has been able to make hard core hot rodders one very happy bunch of people!   Retro Rewind is Wells’ newest creation, happening January 11 and 12 at the Five Flags Arena and Theater in Dubuque, Iowa. Even Voodoo Larry thinks it’s going to be cool enough to show up and Wells is determined to make this bigger and better than anything he’s pulled together.   Wells is creator and chief honcho of the successful TorqueFest events,...

One of the Rarest 1967 Camaros In November 1989 an exhibit was on display at The Henry Ford that chronicled the life and career of famed automotive designer Bill Mitchell which talked about his two lifelong passions…drawing automobiles and driving them. 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Cherokee design concept   “They joined uniquely to create one of the great design careers in automotive history. Throughout his life, as artist, automotive designer, and General Motors executive, Bill Mitchell's best work combined a sleek, sharp-edged appearance and the sensation of great power and all-out speed.”   So the opportunity to see one of Mitchell’s personal creations at the 2013 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals was extra special and reflected the “car guy” mentality Mitchell had for every one of his “special projects.” The 1967 Camaro Cherokee is not only unique but provided Mitchell with a canvas where he could explore what the new GM pony car might become in the new war that was evolving in Detroit. Ford had introduced the popular Mustang just two short years earlier which started the salvo of vehicles that even today we enthusiasts still embrace.   Mitchell’s...

Ya Just Gotta Ask...What's The Deal With Gassers? (And Why We Love 'Em!) In the very early years of the NHRA, gassers were nothing more than slightly modified gas powered sedans that could compete in five gas classes, determined by engine size and weight. In 1958, a gas class racer was basically a street coupe with no engine setback allowed. All “gassers” had working lights, wipers, starter, generator and all other street equipment.  Fans and belts were optional, but radiators were required. Full exhaust systems, including mufflers, were required but could be unhooked for competition, but they had to remain on the car.  Cars even had to be currently licensed for the street.   Cars in the gas classes were required to have full “factory-type” upholstery but two buckets could replace the standard bench seat as long as both were fully upholstered.  Customs were allowed as long as the car wasn’t chopped, channeled or sectioned a total of more than four inches.  Cars had to have four stock fenders and the stock bumpers had to be in place.   More Gassers and Altered Wheelbase hot rods (opens in new window)...