Grand National Roadster Show ’23
By Tony Thacker• Photos by Nestor Cabrera & Tony Thacker
Presented by HandHFlatheads.com, MicksPaint.com & USAutomotive.co.ukTwo significant things have happened in the world of indoor car shows: Quarantine is over and ARP Racing Products has stepped up to sponsor both the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster Award (AMBR) and the Al Slonaker Memorial Award at the Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS). With each award comes not only a substantial trophy but also a cash prize of $12,500 as well as the prestige of winning what has become the world’s most significant custom car and hot rod show—’The Grand Daddy of Them All.’
Attendees at the 73rd GNRS in 2023 were not disappointed. The AMBR Award attracted nine entries while the Al Slonaker Award attracted and amazing 11 entries which is staggering when you think of what it takes in terms of commitment, investment and time to build a show winner of this caliber.
2023 winners were: AMBR-Jack Chesenhall’s ‘32 Roadster, Al Slonaker-George Elicosta’s ‘60 Buick Invicta.
Besides the two major categories there were hundreds of deserving participants, more than 600 in fact and the menu included the ‘Custom room’ that featured builds from legends such as George Barris and Gene Winfield. There was the Suede Palace that featured traditional rods and customs inclined two from legendary TV builder Chip Foose.
Celebrating 50 years of classic hauling was the ‘Keep on Trucking’ exhibit while in another of the six building there was a unique display of custom boats including drag boats, flat bottoms and restored wooden boats. There was something for everybody.
Finally, outside there was the 16th Annual Grand Daddy Drive-in
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