Thread: Grand National Roadster Show

Tweet

[QUOTE=Ken Thurm]
I can't wait for next years show, wait till those white glove, mirror laden judges see my new roadster!


Oh oh, Ken's been bitten by the GNRS bug!!! This oughta be GOOD!!


Don

Originally Posted by Ken Thurm

Well, I didn't sleep to well last night. I kept thinking about all the post in this thread and all the people who respond on this site. I'm going to try and respond more to treads, not that my input will help anyone more but just the friendships that develop from this place is amazing.
I can't wait for next years show, wait till those white glove, mirror laden judges see my new roadster!
Don, you are right on, the camaraderie in this sport and actually using these vehicles is the real fun.
I think I'm going to take a nap.
Ken

Ken I finished my 34 last Spring and have shown it 4 times.I have won 1ST.in 2 shows,IBM Employees Show and Automaniac Car Show,these are local 1 day shows.I won Best Of Show at the local SPCA Road Dog Show.I just finished a 3 day(Austin Auto Show 34th anniversary) show competing with the central Texas cars.I finished 2nd in the altered street coupe class.I toured the show and just knew I would not even place,after looking at the displays.I only had wood pedestals and rope.I was scared when they came and judged the car with the flash lights,looking into every crack and crevis on and under the car.

I am debating whether to sell the car as I cannot drive it without having to clean it each time I take it for a spin.It is nice to talk to people at the shows and especially when they say nice car.If I had it to do over I would have built a driver,as I ant no spring chicken and want to feel the thrill at the wheels.

My mailbox overfloweth...............here's some more.................

http://www.pbase.com/xl1ken/gnrs081&view=slideshow

[QUOTE=Big Tracks]

Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT

Apologies for sticking in this rant where it maybe shouldn't be.


Jim

Since you're the eldest member of the site some babbling is allowed............we understand.

[QUOTE=Bob Parmenter]

Originally Posted by Big Tracks

Since you're the eldest member of the site some babbling is allowed............we understand.

Absolutely correct, Uncle Bob!

It is a God-given privilege of all card-carrying geezers to babble. Veracity and factuality are not requirements when a competent babbler is holding forth.

Personally, I studied babbling under the G.I. bill of rights in the early fifties and I do appreciate babbling when it is properly done.

Jim
Elder Geezer

We just went to the Chicago show---I was disappointed that there weren't more cars there of both ends of the specdrom--there was one of the eight from Riddler last year there--I didn't care for it

Of course I was tremendously disappointed because a 32 5w that we built the chassis and drive train didn't get the interior finished in time for the show-It is an in your face hotrod that has something to look at everywhere you look--built as a hot rod that is a contender for best of show--not a trailer queen , but a driver---of course anyone who drives to the Chicago show in this Jan weather should be arrested or committed!!!!

I can appreciate the handiwork/craftsmanship of others but so many seem to follow the guidelines of a guy I knew years ago saying"give me a D/A and a can of bondo and I can do anything"

We have won several awards over the years but my favorites are the Best Appearing, Best Engineered along with Low ET and Top MPH

Jerry

PS and some Top Eliminator awards also

Since we are talking about personal preferrence, I never cared for the Ala Kart design. It was too overdone for me,.... but that was Barris' style.

In a "side story",.... a few years ago, a friend had decided to buy the burned Ala Kart, and was able to pay the price, but did not get to it in time. I was already negotiating with him for the job of restoring it! While I thought it was overdone, I do respect the car's reputation, and achievements, and would have considered it an honor to do the job.

Do I think past winners should win this award twice?.....No. If it is to retain it's position as the highest award, it would be a mistake to move backward, instead of forward. Also it would take away the "suspense" of which new effort will win this highly prized award.

Well, here is my two cents on this award winner. I spent the better part of 4 days there and looked at every car, I think, for a reasonable amount of time. I watched the judging on the MBR. I listened to them when I could get close and there were some interesting comments, that I won't repeat. But I have to tell you some of the judges feel the same way that has been expressed on this post. I came to the conclusion after watching what they look at, is there personal likes dislikes can not come into play, they judge on specifics only. I couldn't be a judge, I know that. I'm to closed minded on my likes and dislikes (I only like brunettes).
Well here goes,I will be as honest as I can! I wouldn't PISS on that thing if it was on fire.
Ken

Originally Posted by Ken Thurm

Well, here is my two cents on this award winner. I spent the better part of 4 days there and looked at every car, I think, for a reasonable amount of time. I watched the judging on the MBR. I listened to them when I could get close and there were some interesting comments, that I won't repeat. But I have to tell you some of the judges feel the same way that has been expressed on this post. I came to the conclusion after watching what they look at, is there personal likes dislikes can not come into play, they judge on specifics only. I couldn't be a judge, I know that. I'm to closed minded on my likes and dislikes (I only like brunettes).
Well here goes,I will be as honest as I can! I wouldn't PISS on that thing if it was on fire.
Ken

did you take any photos of the other cars that should have been in the running for the AMBR ? i know BOB did so post them .

Originally Posted by kennyd

i know BOB did so post them .

No kenny, I didn't go, but I did just get this in the mail..............


http://www.photoshow.net/watch/SC3xB3rX

Dave- You are right, these guys had tiny telescopic mirrors. These things were beyond perfect. In the beginning of the show, the roadster that won, had the roof on. But the next day it was laying on the turn table. I wonder why they took it off?
Ken

You Guys should check the pictures on the HAMB. Ken posted over 600
and there is more there also. IMO Rick Dorns 36 or Johns 36 from
Canada should have won. They were first class. I liked the old Dragsters
but I did enjoy the Suede Palace the most. Ken, your Truck looked great.
Ron

I sort of understand what you mean about how the judges think Ken. One time about 10 years ago a local show promoter asked me to be one of 3 Judges at a show he was putting on............I thought "why not?" I was a minor Judge because the main guy had a lot of experience judging 100 point cars at serious events. It was really a learning experience for me to watch how he did it and what his thinking process was.

We would walk up to a car and he would ask "ok, what do you see?" and I would comment on some nice aspects of the car. He, on the other hand, would find flaws. "The doors don't fit well, the color is badly matched, etc" There was one car that was a trailered in, high dollar, show only car. I couldn't find one flaw on it, but he did. I felt like a blind man compared to what he was able to find. I ended up being the clipboard carrier.

I would guess the Judges you witnessed are looking at the cars in a different way than we are. They obviously leave their own likes and dislikes at the door, and vote on other aspects.

Don

hmmmm. How many of you have ever looked at one of the judging sheets for these big shows? Taste, style, traditional or not, gaudy paint, nice paint, flames, scallops, graphics, or multi-hues really has nothing to do with who wins. Cars are judged on an objective basis... The important things like fit, finish, and detail count, not whims, fads, or passing fancy..... It doesn't matter if the wheels are 23" or 13", what counts is the overall appearance of the wheel, the shine it has, no nicks, dings, dents, scrapes or any other form of blemish. It's also not about trailer queens vs. drivers.... In this judging a flaw as blatant as a rock chip will guarantee you a spot waaaaay out of the top 10!!!!!

If you want the results of what car is the best of the follow the leader crowd, then look to see who get's the People's Choice or Ladies Choice!!!! The stuff in the suede tent won't get the Best Engineered, Best of Show, or the coveted Riddler or America's Most Beautiful Roadster Trophy.....

The roadster that won the AMBR trophy is an exercise in engineering and a display of talent that according to a team of judges and an OBJECTIVE judging sheet scored the highest total points based on how it was built and how all the various components were finished, painted, plated or whatever and the fact that they were installed very carefully with no nicks or scratches from errant wrenches leaving a mark.... It's not a popularity of leader or the fad contest, those are held in parking lots across the country!!!!!!

Recognize these cars and the people who build them for what they are, the BEST of the BEST and not one of the artsy, subjective, fad following, trick of the month club cars that many think should win........

BTW---anybody know who won the "Best Injun Blanket Seat Cover" trophy out in the "suede tent"??????? Is "suede tent" some new politically correct term for rat rods, or what??????

From the pictures I have seen of the cars in the Suede Palace, they are far from rat rods. Most of them any of us would be thrilled to own.

Don