A 1931 Ford Roadster has been crowned America’s Most Beautiful Roadster.
The award was announced during the closing ceremony of this year’s Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS) in the United States.
More than 400 vehicles were honored at the show which lived up to its moniker as “The Grand Daddy of Them All” with more than 1000 of the world’s hottest custom vehicles and attracting tens of thousands of fans over the weekend.
Customs, restorations, muscle cars, trucks, hot rods, Rolling Bones vintage vehicles and street machines exemplified the very finest that the roadster world has to offer.
One of the most sought-after awards in the custom car world — America’s Most Beautiful Roadster — is presented annually to the best “open” hot rod in the country.
The winning Ford is owned by Dave Martin and built by California-based Hot Rods & Hobbies.
In winning this year’s $10,000 prize and three metre high trophy, the newly named winner earned a prestigious place alongside such legendary builders as George Barris, Andy Brizio, Boyd Coddington, Barry White, Troy Ladd and Chip Foose.
A crowd favorite throughout the event, The Martin Special was praised for its precision craftsmanship and dazzling aesthetics, as well as its provenance.
In a prior form the car competed in the famed Silver State Classic open road race.
While the latest, show-stopping iteration of the car has Indy Roadster influences it also has a 373kW Ed Pink Racing Engines-built small block power plant harkening back to its prior form.
“Dave Martin’s car is an amazing hot rod that began as a bare metal race car and ultimately earned the highest honor in the rodding world,” owner of Rod Shows and producer of the Grand National Roadster Show, John Buck, said.
“This Ford Roadster possesses all the qualities that our judges look for, truly blowing us away thanks to its exceptional craftsmanship and innovative styling.”
