SELECT COMPANY: THE 2026 TRIPLE CROWN OF RODDING TOP 30 & CELEBRITY PICKS

Now in its fourth year, the Triple Crown of Rodding has given builders and enthusiasts plenty of reasons to circle the calendar. The 2026 edition added another impressive lineup to that reputation, bringing together cars and trucks whose appeal went well beyond a polished exterior. These were builds that rewarded a closer look, with craftsmanship, creativity, and thoughtful execution giving each its own identity.

Our review brings together 40 award-winning vehicles, spanning the Elite 10, Top 30, and Celebrity Picks. Several earned recognition in more than one group, and all six major category winners are represented. There’s plenty to take in—and more than a few details worth studying for your next project.

The 2026 Triple Crown of Rodding Top 30

Earning a place in the 2026 Triple Crown of Rodding Top 30 put a vehicle in exceptional company. This field brought different eras, body styles, and approaches to building into one showcase, giving enthusiasts plenty of opportunities to appreciate something outside their usual favorites.

A stance can pull you across the showgrounds. A beautifully finished engine compartment can keep you there. But the builds that stick with you are often the ones whose details work together so naturally that it takes a second pass to recognize how much has changed.

That’s what makes a gallery like this worth exploring. Look at the proportions, the choice of materials, and the way one element carries into the next. Behind those decisions are owners and builders who spent countless hours turning an idea into something tangible.

The Elite 10 and Six Category Winners

The Elite 10 sits within the broader Top 30, recognizing a select group of standout builds. Our gallery opens with those ten vehicles before continuing through the remaining twenty Top 30 honorees.

The event’s six major category winners also appear within that lineup. Four were part of the Elite 10, while two earned their places among the other Top 30 selections. Their category titles are noted alongside the vehicles, making it easy to see where those honors overlap.

For a closer look at those six builds, visit our 2026 Triple Crown of Rodding Top 6 Winners feature.

Celebrity Picks Add Another Perspective

The Celebrity Picks brought individual tastes and perspectives to the awards, recognizing vehicles that connected with their selectors. Several Top 30 builds collected these honors as well, while additional selections expanded the spotlight beyond that field.

That overlap is part of the story. A vehicle could earn its place among the Top 30 and also catch the eye of someone whose own work has helped shape the hobby. Elsewhere, a Celebrity Pick gave another deserving build its moment.

We’ve brought the honorees together here, with multiple awards noted alongside the corresponding vehicle.

Explore All 40 Award-Winning Builds

Start with the Elite 10, work through the rest of the Top 30, and keep going through the additional award selections. Each vehicle appears once, giving you 40 distinct builds to explore while recognizing the honors each received.

Congratulations to the owners, builders, and teams behind this year’s selections. Enjoy the gallery, pick your favorites, and keep following