AMBR_by_ARP
Inside the 2026 Grand National Roadster Show, the thunder didn’t stop at the hot rods. Tucked among the country’s finest customs and street machines was a killer lineup of vintage ski hydros, circle boats, and heirloom river runners that brought serious waterborne attitude to the show floor. Blown big-blocks, hand-laid gelcoat, and family-built history were on full display, proving that the hot rod mindset runs just as deep on the river as it does on the street.
Hot rodders used to scoff at the idea of trucks stealing the show. Not anymore. The 2026 Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS) proved that custom trucks aren’t just workhorses—they’re rolling showcases of power, design, and pure cool. From slammed classics to full-throttle modern bruisers, trucks dominated the floor, making it clear: the truck takeover is official.
The Fat Attack exhibit at GNRS 2026 rolled in with curves, chrome, and attitude, and at the heart of it all was the undeniable legacy of Pete & Jake’s Hot Rod Parts. Pete Chapouris and Jim Jacobs didn’t just make parts — they made a movement, showing the world that 1935–1948 fat-fender cars could be bold, street-ready, and built to impress. With Fat Jack Robinson riding shotgun in the history books, these curvy machines were a mix of drivable street heroes and jaw-dropping showpieces, proving there’s room for both in the fat-fender world.
At GNRS 2026, the ARP Booth was a centerpiece of precision, passion, and performance. Automotive Racing Products (ARP Fasteners) has long been a cornerstone of the Grand National Roadster Show, sponsoring iconic awards like the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) Award and the Al Slonaker Memorial Award. Each award offers $12,500 in prize money, and during the show, the Al Slonaker Memorial Trophy is proudly displayed at the ARP Booth, symbolizing ARP’s commitment to hot rod craftsmanship, innovation, and community.
The 2026 Al Slonaker Memorial Award wasn’t just about who won—it was about twelve extraordinary contenders, each showcasing craftsmanship, vision, and execution. From paint and stance to metalwork and mechanical finesse, every build pushed the limits and demanded attention.
The nine-foot AMBR trophy doesn’t celebrate excess. It rewards builders who understand proportion, restraint, and craftsmanship at the highest level—where every decision carries weight and every imperfection is amplified. Under the scrutiny of an expert judging panel, the 2026 AMBR contenders were evaluated on the fundamentals that have always defined America’s Most Beautiful Roadster: stance, line, finish, engineering, and an unshakable respect for roadster tradition. The margin between first and last place was razor thin, and the pressure showed in every detail.
Under the bright lights of the 2026 Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, surrounded by some of the finest hot rods and customs ever assembled, one car quietly—and decisively—rose to the top. Dennis Troggio’s 1955 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, nicknamed “Karma” and built by Buddy Hale and the team at Type One Restorations, claimed the prestigious Al Slonaker Memorial Award, standing tallest among 12 exceptional contenders.
At the 2026 Grand National Roadster Show, the spotlight wasn’t just on speed or style—it was on craftsmanship at the highest level. Among nine jaw-dropping roadsters displayed in Building 4, one car quietly—and then undeniably—rose to the top. Nicole Baird’s 1932 Ford Roadster, built by Squeeg’s Kustoms, claimed the coveted America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) title, proving once again that traditional hot rod values, when executed flawlessly, still reign supreme.
When a particular car show carries a popular tradition for nearly 60 years, it’s really saying something about the organization that puts the show together. For 58 years, hot rod enthusiasts have been attending the Grand National Roadster Show, now located in Pomona, California, to witness the finest cars in the country.
It doesn’t matter whether this event is held in Oakland, San Francisco or San Mateo—it still gives builders the incentive to strive to win the America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) title. For the past two years, the Grand National Roadster Show has been held in San Mateo, just south of San Francisco and across the bay from Oakland. This year there were 300 vehicles on display, and a good percentage of them were high-quality, creatively built roadsters. Along with the roadsters, there were closed street rods, customs, street machines and custom trucks. The show also is well known for displaying some of the finest motorcycles in the country, and this year there was a separate room just for the two-wheelers.
