Al Slonaker Award Winner

2022 Al Slonaker Memorial Award

As we showed you in our last issue, The Grand National Roadster Show came roaring back in 2022 after taking 2021 off due to the COVID issue across America, While the GNRS may be best known for the Americas Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) competition, there is another award handed out each year that is equally important for builders and owners of non-roadster vehicles...The Al Slonaker Award. The Al Slonaker Memorial award is named after Al and Mary Slonaker, who founded the Grand National Roadster Show in 1949. The award is dedicated to the memory of Al and Mary Slonaker, The award has been presented to the top non-roadster show since 1974. The Al Slonaker Memorial Award reached parity with AMBR a few years back with a matching $12,500 prize thanks to award sponsor ARP Bolts. This year, Hollywood Hot Rods owner Troy Ladd won the award for building Pat Gauntt's 1932 Ford. The Deuce is a classic Cadillac-powered coupe that took 15 years to complete. In addition to the exemplary workmanship, the '32 has a unique cockpit-controlled suspension system that uses pressurized oil to raise and lower the vehicle.

This year’s win is another feather in the cap of hot rod impresario Troy Ladd from Hollywood Hotrods. Gauntt’s Ford Coupe features a buffed-up 331 Cadillac engine with 390 heads and burly high-compression pistons. Many surprises lurk on the car like brass hinges with pins, incredible custom jewelry, and elaborate machine work, all steeped together in a funky steampunk brew. The Slonakers must be smiling from above.

While the ‘32 Coupe took home the big award, all the Slonaker Award Contenders were great builds also, with so much innovation and creativity running thru each off them. Check them all out on the next pages.