The 68th Annual Grand National Roadster Show is a Must See for Auto Enthusiasts

Bruce Wanta's 1936 Packard took home the award for America's Most Beautiful Roadster

Bruce Wanta's 1936 Packard took home the award for America's Most Beautiful Roadster

At the end of every January, beautiful hot rods from all over the U.S. congregate at the Fairplex in Pomona, California. You may be asking yourself why. The answer is the Grand National Roadster Show. The longest running indoor car show in the world, the GNRS is also known as the “Grand Daddy of Them All.” Since 1950, the show has attracted hordes of onlookers to see the most beautiful cars in the world. Since the very beginning, the judges have awarded the award of America’s Most Beautiful Roadster.

You can see just about anything at the Grand National Roadster Show, like this 1966 Buick Riviera GS

You can see just about anything at the Grand National Roadster Show, like this 1966 Buick Riviera GS

For this year, the 68th annual GNRS, the award went to a 1936 Packard from Hollywood Hot Rods, known as the Mulholland Speedster. To be eligible for the AMBR award, the car must be a roofless two-seater made before, or based on a car that was made before 1937. While the Packard is somewhat of a non-traditional roadster (since it has a disappearing top), the judges felt it was worthy of the 10-foot tall trophy that is awarded each year to the winner.

Bare metal is a popular finish like on this Ford Roadster from American Speed Company

Bare metal is a popular finish like on this Ford Roadster from American Speed Company

Along with the twelve entries for AMBR, there were hundreds of other, equally impressive vehicles on display. This year’s theme was “The Magic Happens Here” and the feature building was full of Tri-Five Chevy’s to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the 1955, 1956, and 1957 Chevys. If you have never been to this show, this is a bucket list item. Start saving now and pack up the family next year for a trip to sunny Southern California to take a walk through car enthusiast heaven. We also have Disneyland, so there’s that!

One of the other AMBR contenders was this 1932 Roadster from Goolsby Customs

One of the other AMBR contenders was this 1932 Roadster from Goolsby Customs

Another bare metal finished car was this magnificent 1936 Cadillac Custom called Shangri-La

Another bare metal finished car was this magnificent 1936 Cadillac Custom called Shangri-La

The winner gets this 10-foot trophy, but they don't get to take this version home

The winner gets this 10-foot trophy, but they don't get to take this version home

This Dodge Dart with a blown Hemi took our breath away

This Dodge Dart with a blown Hemi took our breath away

Trucks are also popular among the hot rodding crowd like this 1950 Chevy with a 327ci motor with K&N

Trucks are also popular among the hot rodding crowd like this 1950 Chevy with a 327ci motor with K&N

Some of the cars are restorations and others, like this 1940 Ford Coupe with a Coyote motor, aren't

Some of the cars are restorations and others, like this 1940 Ford Coupe with a Coyote motor, aren't

You might have seen this before, but this 1961 Blazer concept from Sic Chops is unbelievable

You might have seen this before, but this 1961 Blazer concept from Sic Chops is unbelievable

The crowds that attended the 2017 Grand National Roadster Show had plenty to drool over

The crowds that attended the 2017 Grand National Roadster Show had plenty to drool over

A 1957 Chevy with a twin turbo 540ci motor is the stuff that dreams and nightmares are made of

A 1957 Chevy with a twin turbo 540ci motor is the stuff that dreams and nightmares are made of

A gorgeous example of a Ford Mustang with a 427R Roush motor

A gorgeous example of a Ford Mustang with a 427R Roush motor

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