The 64th grand national roadster show that took place last weekend was big enough to be granted a part 2. Part 1 covered the inside of the show and the contenders for most beautiful roadster of the year. Part 2 is outside, the suede palace, and other customs that were not contenders for the AMBR.
Bob Schoonhoven's "Pizza Wagon" and Chopit Kustoms "Beatnik" are some great examples of this. While completely creative, different and well built customs they are in a category of their own. Beatnik looks like Paul Savelesky's 55 Bel Air custom front end although Chopit says it is a 55 Ford with Cadillac parts on the front end and hand rolled sheet metal on the rest of the body. Its bubble top makes it look like a George Barris or Darryl Starbird. Pizza Wagon started with a '19 Ford C-Cab and if you compare the pictures side by side it is obvious but since the only other '19 C-Cabs are in museums this is really cool.
In the Suede palace are the project cars and rat rods. All of them could be pictured driving through Southern California which is where most of the cars in the roadster show were built.
There was also a model car contest at the 64th Grand national roadster show. It doesn't sound too exciting but if you saw the entrants you would be impressed. It looked like a miniature version of the grand national roadster show on a table. Each car was customized like the big ones. Tirelessly custom painted, had the interior done, the engine swapped, the top chopped, lowered, the works. Since it was tiny, the level of craftsmanship is at least equal to the great customizers whose work was a step away.
Land speed race cars were at the show as well. Record breaking cars were at the show and more were at the NHRA museum at the same location as the roadster show.
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