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Spotlighter
Chasing Perfection: The Showdown for America’s Most Beautiful Roadster 2025
Elite Builders Battle it Out for AMBR Glory
The 75th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Grand National Roadster Show, presented by Meguiar’s, once again proved why it’s the crown jewel of indoor car shows. From January 31 to February 2, the Pomona Fairplex was loaded with the meanest, cleanest roadsters in the country, all gunning for the top prize: the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) Award. This wasn’t just some polished-up car show—this was a throwdown of craftsmanship, power, and pure hot rod passion.
Author
Jamie Dent
Photography by Scott Killeen
The AMBR Legacy
Since 1950, the AMBR award has been the trophy to win in the hot rodding world. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about being flat-out perfect. Every line, every stitch of upholstery, and every detail down to the last bolt has to be dead on. This year’s contenders? A killer mix of T-buckets, Model As, ‘36 Fords, and ‘32 Fords, all built to within an inch of their lives and ready to battle it out for the ultimate bragging rights.
The Contenders
Eleven hand-built roadsters rolled into Pomona, each aiming for that 9.5-foot trophy and a $12,500 prize from ARP Fasteners. But the real prize? A spot in hot rodding history. Some went the traditional route, nailing old-school cool, while others pushed the limits with modern tech and insane fabrication. Either way, these weren’t just pretty cars—they were engineered to be flat-out perfect.
Judges combed over every inch—fit, finish, stance, and overall impact. Paint had to be flawless, interiors had to be just right, and bodywork had to be smoother than a fresh burnout patch. In the end, only one could take home the title, but every single car in the lineup was a testament to the absolute best in hot rod building.
The Spectacle
Fans packed in to get a close-up look, and man, did they get a show. The AMBR lineup was a greatest-hits album of the best roadsters in the country, and you could hear the debates in every corner of the building. Which one had the best stance? The cleanest chop? The wildest engine bay? That’s what makes this show great—everyone’s got a favorite, and every car has a story.
A Moment in History
Winning AMBR isn’t just about this year—it’s forever. It’s a ticket to hot rod legend status, proof that you built something that stands up to the best of the best. And as the dust settled on another killer year, one thing was clear: the AMBR competition is as hardcore as ever, and the builders keep raising the bar.
If you missed it, you missed out. But don’t worry—next year’s show is bound to be even wilder. Get ready for another round of the best roadsters on the planet, all gunning for that one title: America’s Most Beautiful Roadster.
America’s Most Beautiful Roadster 2025
The Myers Fenderless ’36 Roadster
Ross Myers and the crew at Rad Rides by Troy just dropped the hammer and took home the 2025 America’s Most Beautiful Roadster award at the 75th Grand National Roadster Show! That’s right—Myers’ 1936 Ford-based roadster is a straight-up masterpiece, blending next-level craftsmanship, modern engineering, and that undeniable hot rod soul.
Powering this beast is a McCullough-huffed 312ci Ford Y Block, backed by a Bowler 4r70w and putting the power down through a Winters Quick-change rear. And it’s not just about the looks—custom torsion bar suspension means this thing is built to rip.
And get this—back-to-back AMBR wins for the Myers family! Beth Myers took the title last year with her ‘32 Ford Phaeton, and now Ross keeps the streak alive. Rad Rides by Troy just keeps proving why they’re one of the best in the business. Huge congrats to Ross and the whole crew on an absolute knockout of a roadster!
Ross and Beth Myers score an epic back-to-back win at the Grand National Roadster Show, clinching the 75th AMBR award with this stunning, full-custom 1936 Ford-based roadster, built by the talented team at Rad Rides by Troy. After Beth’s top honors last year with her ’32 Ford Phaeton, Ross continues the winning streak with this jaw-dropping ride. CLICK HERE to see our coverage of the Myers ’36 Fenderless Roadster winning the AMBR ’25 award.
Gary & Scott Lorenzini’s 1932 Ford Roadster “Qualifier”
Scott Lorenzini’s Qualifier ’32 Ford Roadster has had one heck of a journey, splitting time between two killer shops across two different eras. SoCal Speed Shop kicked things off back in 1998, and after nearly two decades in the making, the build got its final push at Veazie Brother Fabrication from 2021 to 2025. The result? A flat-out stunning piece of hot rod art with hardcore performance to back it up.
The highlights read like an all-star roster: flawless paint and bodywork by Tom Rodriguez at Cypress Auto Body, a Brockmeyer-designed interior stitched to perfection by Ron Mangus, and a fire-breathing Donovan-based 383ci small-block—blown, injected, and dialed in by tuning guru Steve Sbelgio. And because stance is everything, it rolls on a proper set of polished Halibrands that absolutely nail the look. This thing isn’t just a showstopper—it’s a statement.
1923 Ford Roadster T-Bucket “Tee Hee”
Chuck Stanfill’s Tee Hee T-Bucket is a full-throttle blast from the past, built to capture the raw attitude of the original roadster that graced the cover of Rod Action magazine back in the day. Rods West and Stanfill nailed the old-school vibe while making it a serious contender for the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster award. Sitting right on the money with Firestone rubber—tiny F560 front runners and fat Dirt Trackers out back, all from Coker Tire—this thing has the stance locked in.
Under the hood, it’s all go, with a Cram-McCall Machine Shop-built mill topped with a Hampton blower and fed by an Edelbrock fuel system. The chassis was dialed in by Hamilton Automotive Industries, with fab work handled by RDN Fabrication. Inside, Mike Smith stitched up a proper hot rod interior, and the finishing touch? A killer paint job laid down by The Possum Killer using Revolt Auto Paint. This isn’t just a show car—it’s a time machine built to turn heads and raise hell.
1932 Ford highboy “Tony’s Tiger”
Tony and Paula Jurado’s Tony’s Tiger ’32 Ford highboy roadster is a straight-up beast, built to pounce with serious power and pedigree. Under the hood, a 671 Littlefield-huffed 383ci small-block Chevy delivers the roar, backed by a Muncie four-speed that keeps things properly rowdy. This isn’t just another showstopper—it’s a ground-pounder with attitude.
The build crew reads like an all-star lineup, with Steve and Michael Moal, Andrik Albor, Ken Stephens, Roy Brizio, Gary George, Shawn McNally, and George Atkins all leaving their mark on this wicked machine. And yeah, the name Tony’s Tiger comes with a wink and a nod—because with a setup like this, They’re Grrreat!
1931 Ford Roadster “Mirage”
Peter “Mac” Grant’s Mirage ’31 Ford Roadster is the kind of build that makes you do a double take—and that’s exactly the point. Built by Boerne Stage Kustoms in Center Point, Texas, this slick hot rod gets its name from the way it blurs the lines between different eras. Sitting on what looks like a Deuce frame with a matching grille, rocking ’36 Ford headlights, and packing a flathead V8—a motor that didn’t hit the scene until ’32—this thing plays tricks on the mind in all the right ways.
The final assembly came together under the hands of Trent Hensler and Chris Shuler, with Randy Rankin laying down the paint and bodywork. And those louvers? Pure hot rod perfection, courtesy of George Hagy. Big shoutouts go to Ben Thomas (Rancho Deluxe), Will E. Salas (El Guapo), and Jack Chisenhall for their contributions to this killer machine. This isn’t just a roadster—it’s a time-warping masterpiece.
1932 Ford Highboy Roadster
Mark and Debby Bentley’s ’32 Ford highboy roadster is pure hot rod fire—literally. Built by Butch Bower at Dragon Engineering in Renton, Washington, this all-steel Rod Bod creation is as traditional as it gets, but with enough punch to melt asphalt. Finished in July 2024, it sports a flawless black paint job by Tom Knebel, set off by classic orange and yellow flames that scream old-school cool.
But the real showstopper sits between the frame rails—a fully chromed, 1958 vintage, fuel-injected 392 Hemi, force-fed by a towering 6-71 blower. This isn’t just a motor; it’s a mechanical piece of art built to make power and turn heads. Inside, Lorry Safford stitched up a proper interior to match the car’s high-impact style. The end result? A fire-breathing, nostalgia-fueled masterpiece that proves the highboy formula is still king.
1932 Ford Roadster Pickup “Riley”
Mark DeVriendt’s ’32 Ford Roadster Pickup “Riley” is a rare breed—literally. With only 593 built and fewer than 30 known to still exist, this all-steel survivor is a piece of hot rod history. DeVriendt, out of Camp Verde, Arizona, did his homework, and when it came time to build, he turned to Zach Cline at Hot Rod Heaven in Colorado to bring it back to life. Wayne Saunders and Ashley Dodder in Colorado Springs handled the paint and body, making sure this truck looks as good as it runs.
And speaking of running gear, this one’s got a powerplant that stands out in any crowd—a Ford Model “B” four-cylinder hopped up with a Riley Racing 4-Port overhead valve conversion. In a sea of blown V8s, this banger setup is one of the most interesting engines in the competition, proving that old-school ingenuity still has a place in the hot rod world.
1936 Ford Phaeton “Smokey”
Glenn See’s ’36 Ford Phaeton is the kind of car that stops you in your tracks—not just because it looks killer, but because it’s packed with legit history. Whether it’s been recently freshened up or still carrying the patina of its time in a Virginia museum, one thing’s for sure—this thing oozes vintage cool.
The evidence is right there in the memorabilia displayed with it. At the heart of the build sits an 8BA flathead V8, and not just any flathead—this one was built by none other than Smokey Yunick. If that wasn’t enough, the car was once owned by NASCAR legend Fireball Roberts, and since Yunick wrenched on most of Fireball’s race cars, you know this thing has some serious pedigree. Drenched in Roberts’ signature black and gold livery—complete with a matching checkerboard firewall—it looks like it rolled straight out of NASCAR’s golden era. And while there’s no confirmation of a hidden moonshine tank, let’s just say we wouldn’t be surprised.
1936 Ford Phaeton “Phae-Twin”
Mike Curtis’ ’36 Ford Phaeton is proof that open-air hot rods still have a place in the modern world—especially when they’re built to this level. As the owner and builder, Curtis, out of Orange, California, put his skills to work at Curtis Speed Equipment, dialing in every detail, including that perfectly chopped windshield. But this wasn’t a solo mission—he brought in some heavy hitters to make sure this thing was top-notch.
Lanzini Bodyworks in Huntington Beach laid down the flawless paint, while Ron Mangus handled the interior with his usual craftsmanship. And then there’s the heartbeat of the build—an absolutely wicked blown 283ci flathead V8, built by Don Ferguson. Packing Ardun Twin heads and an oversized take on a classic Scot supercharger, this setup isn’t just rare, it’s downright exotic in the world of flatheads. A blend of history, craftsmanship, and raw power, this Phaeton is a rolling statement piece.
1932 Ford Roadster “Final Final”
Dubbed Final Final, John Mumford’s ’32 Ford Roadster is more than a build; it’s a tribute to Ed Pink’s reign as the king of the DOHC cammer. Roy Brizio Street Rods brought it to life, with flawless paint from Vintage Color Studio and brilliant chrome by Sherm’s Plating. Now, as a finalist for America’s Most Beautiful Roadster, it’s not just competing—it’s cementing a legacy.
Under the hood sits Pink’s final masterpiece—a jaw-dropping, fuel-injected 427ci Ford DOHC cammer—an engine as legendary as the man himself. Even in his 90s, Pink never slowed down, always believing that staying hands-on kept him sharp. Now, at 94, he’s finally stepped away from the workbench, but his legacy roars to life one last time in Final Final.
1931 Ford Highboy Roadster
At The Auto Builder, we’ve got a soft spot for grassroots garage builds, and Ken Green’s ’31 Ford highboy roadster is a perfect example of why home-built hot rods will always have a special place in the scene. Built in Green’s own garage in Burnaby, British Columbia, this roadster isn’t just a project—it’s a testament to skill, dedication, and old-school craftsmanship.
Starting with a Brookville ’31 roadster body and a Blackboard Hot Rods pinched ’32 frame, Green dialed in the stance with a Pete & Jakes 5-inch drop axle and a raked-back 5.5-inch chopped windshield at 16.5 degrees. But it’s the details that make this one a standout. The 350 small-block breathes through three Rochester 2G carbs, topped with wicked custom-cast air cleaners, while a Tremec 5-speed feeds power to a Winters quick-change rear. And don’t miss those killer exhaust manifolds—just another example of how Green blended creativity with classic hot rod engineering.
This is the kind of machine that reminds us why home-garage ingenuity is the backbone of hot rodding. No big-name shop, no unlimited budget—just a guy, his tools, and a vision. A true DIY hot rod hero.
