Red Hot Meltdown was at the Autorama last year, so some rules do get broken. The ultra red '32 'cabriolet' Dearborn Deuce is a true show car, as a peek underneath will reveal.

This year's America's Most Beautiful Roadster award went to this car, Harry Willett's Willett Special. Being an internet mag, you can learn more about the 13" stretched, V10 powered, sports car influenced rod here & here.

Michael Medeiros has quite an interest in car shows, with prizes for his '32 coupe, and now this stunning Willys coupe show car.

The legendary Emperor, built by Chuck Krikorian & George Barris, and now part of Blackie's collection. The '29 A runs a chromed frame & suspension, natch, & a strong 406 Caddy that ran 106 in the quarter. The Emperor took the AMBR trophy in 1955.

This is Blackie's own car, which ran at the dry lakes in '47, was T-boned on the return road, turned into a show car, then tied for 1st place in the '55 AMBR show, in Oakland. At that show, Blackie tipped the car on its side, on the hour, to show off the chromed frame - hence the nick-name for the car - Shishkabab.

Russ Meeks built this radical '30 Model A roadster for John Corno, and won the AMBR in '72. The Olds Toronado power plant and drive train has been moved to the back of the roadster, leaving room for a spare tyre under the hood.

625 pounds of ground shaking Y-block never looked so good as this 312 in the Jackman Brothers '32 Sports Coupe.

Who loves buses? If you think that they are for commuting, try to get your head around Lou Steiner's '32 bus, and the fact that it runs an 8:71 supercharged 454 Chevy. The chopped top and radical flames also separate it from the fleet.

Undoubtedly a show car, this interpretation is also 100% credible as a performance orientated street rod, so much so that the owners may produce a series of roadsters, based on this AMBR winner.

Roger O'Dell's '36 Ford roadster has a radically altered front end that gives almost no clues as to its original Ford design.

The name Ala Kart should not be unknown to you, but did you know that Blackie was a pal of the owner, Richard Peters, and they both worked on the frame in Fresno while George Barris worked on the body in LA, beginning in 1957. They took the AMBR trophy in both '58 & '59.

Originally built by Jeff Wussow, with help from Dan Woods, this 1911 Tourer uses V6 Ford power & a Jag rear. The custom tube steel IFS looks just like many that are produced today, but this car was crafted in the '70s. Rootleib, the hood people, made most of the body.

Fresno's own AVS displayed their remarkable cutaway '34 roadster styled electric vehicle, which is a promotional vehicle (in all senses of the expression) for their air bag suspension systems. 

Vic Cunnyngham's '32 roadster is meant to represent a car that was built in '55, and through the work of Vic's Grandpa's Hot Rod Company,. the Brookville Roadster, and the 276 inch 8BA really look the part. There are many hand made parts in the build, just as they were in 19 and 55.

The epitome of historically significant cars, Sam Barris (brother of George) bought this Mercury brand new in '49, then customised it over a number of years. It is now owned by John Mumford, from Nor-Cal.

The standard '40 Mercury shape lends itself well to customising, and particularly the tail dragging elongation seen here, in Phil Krosnoff's radical green Merc.

The rear of Roger O'Dell's '36 roadster resembles a flowing wedding train - perhaps this is why the pearl white colour was chosen. It works on all levels.

George Barris added a T roadster back section to the back of the '28 pickup, and a hand formed pickup bed. The Dodge Red Ram was originally fuel injected, then 4 97s. The Ala Kart was the first rod that was made into a model, with over a million AMT kits going to adoring youngsters.

Mike & Linda Perry own this 32 Caliber deuce roadster, which features a 500 hp 400 c.i. Chevy, and a Sid Chavers interior. That's a Rod Bods steel repro '32 body under the hand rubbed paintwork.

You didn't have to be Armenian to get in, but it wouldn't hurt your chances. The late John Siroonian won the AMBR award in '81 with his '32 hiboy roadster, as well as making the top 75 deuces list. It originally ran at the 'lakes with an Arden, but by '81 it had a Gurney Weslake OHV.

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