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September 26, 2022
THE AUTO BUILDER
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Spotlighter
Fab’d Four Recap: On the Road to the Triple Crown
With three stages in the books, the Fab’d Four has sharpened the field for hot rodding’s ultimate showdown—the Triple Crown of Rodding.
Author
Jamie Dent
Photography by Scott Killeen & The Auto Builder Staff
We’ve been road-tripping all year long through the Fab’d Four of Auto Shows, chasing the best builds, the wildest debuts, and the kind of custom cars that make you stop mid-sentence just to stare. Three shows in, we’ve already seen jaw-dropping cars and crowd-stopping trucks that had spectators three-deep around them. Our Fab’d Four coverage is proudly sponsored by ARP – Automotive Racing Products, because if you’re not bolting it together with ARP fasteners, are you really even serious?
But here’s the deal: those first three? They were just the warm-up. The big one is still coming.
The finale. The heavyweight championship of show season.
Welcome to the Triple Crown of Rodding.
The Grand Finale in Nashville
Circle it on your calendar—September 5–6, 2025 at the Nashville Superspeedway. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill parking-lot gathering. The Triple Crown is where the best of the best roll in to prove they’re not just local heroes—they’re national legends.
Over 40 billet-machined, show-chrome-plated trophies will be handed out, and these aren’t the kind of dust-collectors you shove on a shelf. Winning one means you’ve built something that’ll be talked about in garages and shops for years.
Here’s what’s up for grabs:
- Street Rod of the Year – Presented by ARP
- Street Machine of the Year – Presented by ARP
- Street Cruiser of the Year – Presented by ARP
- Truck of the Year (in three killer eras, all backed by LMC Truck)
- The ultra-exclusive Triple Crown “Elite 10”
And if that’s not enough pressure, imagine this: Chip Foose, Troy Trepanier, the Gerbers from Roadster Shop, Jonathan Goolsby, Jesse Greening, and a whole roster of industry giants are walking the rows with clipboards. One nod from them, and your car’s forever tied to the legends.
The Fab’d Four So Far
America’s Most Beautiful Roadster 2025 – The Myers Fenderless ’36 Roadster
Owner: Ross Myers
Builder: Rad Rides by Troy
Ross Myers turned heads and claimed the 75th AMBR at the Grand National Roadster Show with his jaw-dropping 1936 Ford-based roadster, built by Rad Rides by Troy. Following Beth Myers’ win last year with her ’32 Ford Phaeton, the Myers family is making back-to-back AMBR victories a thing. This custom roadster is a full-on showstopper—hand-shaped body, BASF/Glasurit Aventurine Green Metallic paint, and a custom leather interior with square weave carpet and a lift-off top. Every curve, every panel, every detail screams craftsmanship, hot rod style, and collector car excellence.
But don’t be fooled—this car isn’t just a pretty face. Under the hood sits a 1957 McCullough Supercharged 312ci Ford Y Block, paired with a Bowler 4R70W four-speed automatic and a Winters Champion Quick-change rear end. The torsion bar suspension with wishbone-style radius rods and Ridetech adjustable shocks keeps it planted, while Wilwood 4-piston brakes with custom drum covers handle the stopping power. Rolling on custom Ford wide-five wheels wrapped in Excelsior Stal-Sport Radials, the Myers Fenderless ’36 is the perfect mix of period-correct flair, modern engineering, and pure hot rod attitude—a ride built to dominate the AMBR stage.
To see our coverage of the AMBR 2025 winner The Myers ’36 Fenderless, CLICK HERE.
Al Slonaker Memorial Award Winner – 1933 Pontiac Model 601 Sedan “Aurabella”
Owners: Bill and Angela Barbato
Builder: CAL Automotive Creations
Bill and Angela Barbato’s 1933 Pontiac Model 601 sedan, lovingly transformed into Aurabella, is a show-stopping masterpiece that earned the Al Slonaker Award. Built by Cal Auto Creations, this custom Pontiac is a full coachbuilt marvel, with every inch chopped, smoothed, and refined to perfection. From the forward-tilted chopped top to the narrowed hood and laid-back grille, and custom rear fenders with integrated running boards, the car exemplifies hot rod craftsmanship. Its custom paint, “Aurabella Gold,” mixed by PAINTHOUSE using Sherwin-Williams Ultra 7K, shimmers like a jewel, perfectly highlighting the car’s hand-shaped bodywork and polished undercarriage.
Under the hood, Aurabella packs serious power with a 400-cube Pontiac V8, complete with Edelbrock cylinder heads, throttle body fuel injection, custom valve covers, and a tucked 8-71 supercharger, all mated to a 4L80E transmission. Inside, the custom leather interior, Art Deco gauges, hand-machined steering wheel, and one-off headliner and trim fuse vintage style with modern execution. This build was a true team effort, featuring design by Eric Black, upholstery by Cato’s Custom Upholstery, metalwork from Metalcraft Restorations, and nickel plating from Advanced Plating. Aurabella proves once again that Cal Auto Creations operates at the highest level, blending show-quality craftsmanship, performance engineering, and coachbuilt artistry into a trophy-winning custom Pontiac.
CLICK HERE to see more of our coverage of the Al Slonaker Award Winner, Aurabella.
2025 Ridler Award Winner – 1955 Chevrolet Nomad “Gray Madder”
Owners: Tom, Christy & Josh Brensnahan
Builder: Southern Comfort Customs & Interior by Jeff Shores
The “Gray Madder” Nomad from Southern Comfort Customs in North Carolina is a Ridler-winning hot rod that blends classic styling with modern performance. Sitting on a rock-solid Art Morrison chassis with a hydraulic suspension, this Nomad nails the perfect stance and ride. Every inch of the build exudes custom craftsmanship, from the one-off billet grille to the Glasurit 55 paint and chrome-and-billet accents. Rolling on custom Evod Industries wheels—18×10 front and 20×12 rear wrapped in Diamond Back Classic tires—this hot rod delivers both eye-catching style and flawless execution.
Under the hood, the Nomad boasts a ferocious LS3 engine, breathing through Ultimate Headers and managed by a Holley EFI system, with a 6L90E six-speed automatic transmission sending all that power to the pavement. A clever nod to the past comes in the form of a custom billet air cleaner built from a vintage 265 small-block unit. Inside, the hand-stitched leather interior by Jeff Shores, custom Dakota Digital gauges, and a one-off steering column by Kevin Fugate combine modern comfort with classic hot rod cool, while Vintage Air keeps the cabin chill. The Southern Comfort Customs Nomad is the perfect example of innovative engineering, custom style, and show-winning performance, cementing its place in hot rod history.
To see our coverage of the 2025 Riddler Winner “Gray Madder”, CLICK HERE.
Street Machine of the Year 2025: 1987 Buick Grand National “GNXS”
Owner: Angelo Vespi
Builder: DutchBoys Hot Rods
DutchBoys Hot Rods, a father-and-son shop known for muscle car restorations and high-end custom builds, went all out on Angelo Vespi’s 1987 Buick Grand National, now reborn as GNXS. Tackling their first G-body platform project, the team left no detail untouched, creating a fully custom muscle car that blends aggressive styling with modern performance. The front end may look familiar at first glance, but functional headlight inlets channel air to cool the oil, power steering, and transmission, all managed by a Holley Dominator ECU. Every line, every panel, and every duct reflects precision craftsmanship and thoughtful engineering.
Under the hood, the original turbo V6 gives way to a monstrous twin-turbo 427ci LS7, delivering 1,400 horsepower to a GearFX nine-inch rear end, with stopping power handled by Baer 14-inch six-piston brakes. The wheels are custom center-lock designs in collaboration with Greening Auto Company, giving the car a race-ready stance. DutchBoys carefully modified the factory hood rather than replacing it, preserving the classic aggressive profile while elevating it with flawless custom touches. GNXS is the ultimate expression of modern muscle engineering, show-quality craftsmanship, and high-performance design, making it a standout in the world of custom Buick builds.
CLICK HERE to see our Goodguys Coverage of the Street Rod & Street Machine of the Year.
Street Rod of the Year 2025: The Myers Fenderless ’36 Ford Roadster
Owner: Beth & Ross Myers
Builder: Rad Rides by Troy
Not content with dominating the AMBR stage, the Myers Fenderless ’36 also stole the spotlight at the Goodguys Columbus show, taking home the coveted Street Rod of the Year 2025 award. Judges praised the build for its flawless hand-crafted execution, seamless integration of modern performance components, and the way it captures the spirit of classic hot rodding while remaining entirely unique. Every detail—from the stance and proportions to the subtle touches that make it one-of-a-kind—showed that this car is built to impress on every level.
This additional accolade cements the Myers family’s roadster as more than a single-show standout—it’s a benchmark for custom street rod design. Winning Street Rod of the Year 2025 alongside its AMBR triumph demonstrates the versatility and excellence of Rad Rides by Troy’s hand-built craftsmanship, proving that the Myers Fenderless ’36 isn’t just a show car—it’s a modern classic that earns respect wherever it rolls.
CLICK HERE to see our Goodguys Coverage of the Street Rod & Street Machine of the Year.
The Final Lap: Nashville Awaits
The road to the Triple Crown has been wild, but Nashville is where it all explodes. Jaw-dropping builds, show-stopping trucks, and fierce competition collide for one last, unforgettable showdown. This is more than trophies—it’s a proving ground where legends are made, engines roar, and hot rodding history is written. Get ready, because the finale isn’t just coming—it’s about to leave its mark.
