HOT RODS TO HEAVEN

THE 62ND ANNUAL GRAND NATIONAL ROADSTER SHOW By Harvey Schwartz Welcome to the 62nd Annual Grand National Roadster Show—nine colossal buildings filled to the brim with more than 500 stunningly beautiful works of automotive art, showing outstanding design, engineering, metal craftsmanship, and colorful custom paint schemes. Every American auto manufacturer from the 1920s through the 1970s is represented on the floors of the Pomona Fairplex buildings. Most of the owners of the vehicles on display are on hand to answer questions that attendees may have. The theme of this year’s show: Route 66, the Mother Road—the one that connected the country by automobile and reflected the growth that made America what it is today. The show ran at the end of January, and culminated with the crowning of America’s Most Beautiful Roadster. The award was open to all U.S. built roadsters, roadster pickups and touring vehicles 1937 and older, including designer roadsters that resemble 1937 or older roadsters. The AMBR award is the pinnacle of several awards, including those for display, engineering, undercarriage, paint, engine, interior and detail. The winner has their name applied to the perpetual nine and one-half foot tall trophy, a $10,000 cash package and the title AMBR Award presented by Pirelli. The winner of this year’s AMBR is Daryl Wolfswinkel’s 1934 Black Ford Roadster. © Words and pictures by Harvey Schwartz For more information about Harvey’s photography, click here.