car show winners

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.

It occurred rather quickly—in just a decade or so, the Ridler award has risen to the top of the list of awards for hot rods. Sure, it all started more than 60 years ago, but back in the 2000’s, the competition intensified for this coveted award. The Auto Builder was intrigued by the award’s newfound popularity, and we did everything in our power to bring proper recognition to these grand automobiles. We also dedicated ourselves to help popularize “The Great Eight,” which each car must win to qualify for Ridler competition. Being selected in the Great Eight is a feat in its own right, but the road to winning the Ridler is as mysterious as the final award itself.

Taking home a win at the Triple Crown of Rodding? That’s a big deal. This event isn’t your run-of-the-mill car show—it’s where the best of the best go head-to-head, and the judging is no joke. You’ve got to bring something truly exceptional, both in design and craftsmanship, to even get a nod here.