Grand National Roadster Show 2011

I’ve been struggling to get something posted since coming home from the 62^nd Grand National Roadster Show – but the flu has been keeping me down! I’m finally on the road to being better and I can’t wait to share with you all the excitement from GNRS 2011! I would also like to proudly announce that GNRS marked my GreaseGirl 2-year anniversary! It was a mere two years ago that I went a-scoutin’ for my first article… Why We Love Cars. It’s been a joy of a ride and I look forward to many more adventures to share with you all.

Back to the Roadster show… the first building I walked into (of course) was the Suede Palace. Some of us have a love for some of the more, how should I say it, lack-luster cars? Lacking they were NOT… there were some amazing pieces of work inside!

Name That Roadster

As I journey along in the car world, little by little I’m learning. From mechanical issues to car culture history to just plain cars. Recently, while at the LA Roadster Show, I was able to learn a little about all three! It all started with the question “What makes a roadster a roadster?”

To help me answer that question I enrolled Lynn Houchin, longtime LA Roadster Club Member, to be my guide. He answered all of my questions (and was able to point out examples!) about important distinctions surrounding roadsters including: Model A, Model T, highboy, coupe, phaeton, tudor, and more!

Standing Out At LA Roadster Show

This weekend the 46^th Annual LA Roadster Show was held at the fairgrounds in Pomona, California. As the name implies, this is a show focused on roadsters. Roadsters aren’t the only thing to see though. In fact last year, I was so busy checking out the informal car show that happens in the “preferred parking” area that I didn’t even make it over to look at any roadsters! This year I decided to remedy that and take a good look at all those purdy roadsters.

As I walked through row after row of pristine roadster my head started to spin! Rather than continuing on with glazed-over eyes I decided to try and learn a little, recognize roadster differences, and figure out which I like the best.

What’s there to learn about a roadster? Tons! First, how about a definition of what makes a roadster a roadster? Most know one when they see one, but could they define it? Then you’ve got Highboys, Model A’s, T-Buckets… what are the differences? I know I’m not the only one who’s unsure about these distinctions. Thanks to some new friends including Lynn from the LA Roadsters as well as Donny and Chuck for teaching me some new stuff! Be on the lookout for that article in the next couple of days!

As I was learning, I was also noticing what I did and did not like on roadsters.

2010 Grand National Roadster Show

This past weekend was spent in Pomona at the 61st Grand National Roadster Show, or GNRS for short. This is one of the most important car shows of the year, drawing big names in the auto industry. Along with about a dozen unbelievable cars competing for the coveted “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster” Award, there is also hundreds of other top-notch classics.

With all the talk going on about the AMBR winner at the Grand National Roadster Show, I wanted to take the opportunity to show you some of the other great award-winning cars on display. There must have been well over 100 awards given out during Sunday’s award ceremony! This is not including awards given out in the Suede Palace (those cars don’t run in competition with the others, it’s more of a low-shine exhibit if you know what I mean.)

To start with, this sweet 1952 Chevrolet Coupe won the George Barris Kustom D’Elegance Award. I dug it for it’s cool green paint by Gene Winfield as well as it’s cam shaft front grill.

Grand National Roadster Show

I had tons of fun today checking out the cars and meeting some really cool people at the 60th Annual Grand National Roadster Show. For all of you who chatted with me – thanks so much…it was fantastic meeting you all!

Coming this week I’ll be writing up some of the thoughts I gathered on why we like cars and how we got that way. For now, here’s a few photos of some things that stood out to me.

53 Studebaker...the best car in the show (I know, I'm partial)

The car best suited for me to pose alongside in my gold lame' vintage bathingsuit

Most over-the-top

Best paint job...gloss flames on suede...NICE!

Shiniest! That alone gets points in my book...not to mention the other cool things about this car!

There was no burlesque, but the tassels on this bumper make up for it

Best headliner. Next up...the glitter vinyl's going in my Stude

Other girl-built car! Sexy!

Studebaker sighting #2...two thumbs up!