Bragging Rights For New AMBR Winner

It was trophy time at the famed Grand National Roadster Show. The America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) award is the pinnacle for competition hot rodders. The award is open to all U.S. built roadsters, roadster pick ups and touring rides 1937 and older. This includes designer roadsters that resemble a ’37 or older roadster. The AMBR is a special class with awards for display, engineering, undercarriage, paint, engine, interior and detail. The winner gets their name on the ultra impressive 9 foot tall trophy and new this year, they drive away with $12,500 and ultimate bragging rites as the AMBR title winner.

The coveted title for 2020 AMBR went to the Squeeg Kustoms built 1932 Ford Kugel Muroc no 4. Here’s the skinny on just some of what went into the “Most Beautiful” in the field of standouts. The power plant is LS1 with Hilborn Injection married to a 4L60 E trans. PPG paint covers this Muroc and it rolls on Custom One Off wheels. Marcel’s Custom Metal did the metal work and Squeeg’s did the repaint, flames and modifications. This is one hot ride and well deserving recipient of the 2020 AMBR award.

AMBR Winner Squeeg Kustoms built 1932 Ford Kugel Muroc no 4

Here is the “Rest of the Best”

Adams Hot Rods Built 1934 Ford “Lady Laird Lincoln”

AMBR Adams Hot Rods 1934 Ford Roadster Lady Laird Lincoln

Walter Sigsbey self built 1915 Ford T Bucket “Leg Show”

Leg Show 1915 Ford T-Bucket Walter Sigsbey AMBR Contender

Leg Show 1915 Ford T-Bucket Walter Sigsbey AMBR Contender Contender 2020 GNRS Leg Up

Ken Katashio’s 1932 Ford “K’s Roadster”

Show Time Hot Rods Built 1932 Ford “Mower Roadster”

Schraders Speed Shop built 1927 Ford Roadster “The Ivy-Reed Roadster”

AMBR Schraders Speed Shop 1927 Ford Roadster Ivy-Reed

Galpin Auto Sports built 1932 Ford Roadster Pick Up “War Paint”

AMBR Galpin Auto Sports 1932 Ford Roadster Pick Up War Paint

Dustin Smith’s 1926 Ford Roadster “Twin Fan Special”

Stokers Hot Rod Factory built 1932 Ford the “Brownstone Roadster”

AMBR Stokers Hot Rod Factory 1932 Ford Brownstone Roadster

“Lil Evil” 1932 Ford Designed, owned and built by Mike Dwight

Now for the second huge award of the weekend, the Al Slonaker Memorial Award. Al Slonaker founded the Grand National Roadster Show and the award in his honor recognizes the car or truck with the overall best engineering, craftsmanship and originality. The award is open to any car or truck not competing for the AMBR award. The entry criteria changed dramatically for this year’s award. The changes were designed to increase the competition and prestige of the award. Elevating it to equal status with the Grand National Roadster Show’s iconic America’s Most Beautiful Roadster award.

For 2020, the build had to commit to enter ahead of time. First time competitor and show unveil were also requirements. However, this award allows for social media exposure prior to the unveiling. Rod Shows, the organizers of the GNRS believe that the builders should be able to showcase their work during the build process. Rod Shows is embracing the inevitable fact that social media is here to stay and they clearly believe that if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. The sponsor for the overhauled award is ARP. There is a new perpetual trophy and the purse is a whopping $12,500. Heavy hitters and home wrenches made up the field.

This year’s Al Slonaker award went to the Tin Man’s Garage built 1936 Willys Model 77. The coach work, design and chromoly tube chassis were all done in house at The Tin Man Garage. The cab, bed, fenders were coach built and the front clip was heavily reworked. There is a 498 c.i. Arias V6 Hemi under the hood, it’s married to a Tremec TKO 5 speed. The full package was more than enough to earn this one of a kind Willys the top honor as winner of the newly revamped Al Slonaker Memorial Award.