FEBRUARY 1, 2017

(Images courtesy of Rod Shows)
The 68th Annual Grand National Roadster Show at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, lived up to its nickname of “The Grand Daddy of Them All” with well over 1,000 of the nation’s hottest custom vehicles on display for the 40,000 people in attendance. At the end of this three-day event, the prestigious America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) was awarded to Troy Ladd, of Hollywood Hot Rods, whose heavily modified 1936 Packard with a retractable roof was awarded the highest honor in hot rodding, beating out 12 of the top roadsters in the world, during the awards ceremony at the Grand National Roadster Show on Sunday, January 29, 2017. The America’s Most Beautiful Roadster award is given to the best “open” hot rod in the country. Ladd's name will now appear on the nine-and-a-half-foot tall perpetual trophy alongside such famous builders as George Barris, Andy Brizio, Boyd Coddington, Barry White and Chip Foose; and he received $10,000 in prize money as well. Troy’s car - a three-year build - is a 1936 Packard Roadster called the “Mulholland Speedster” and owned by Bruce Wanta. It was a crowd favorite throughout the event, thanks to its exacting attention to detail and its eye-catching looks, thanks to designer Eric Black. “In the 68 year history of the AMBR award we have seen a steady evolution of the art form of the roadster as builders continue to come up with new and innovative ways to modify these very traditional vehicles,” said John Buck, owner of Rod Shows and producer of the Grand National Roadster Show. “This year’s winner was no exception, as Troy Ladd brought one of the most spectacular and highly detailed roadsters we have seen to date. Throughout the event the crowd around this car was immense and it was the talk of the show.”

(Photo by John F. Martin for General Motors and Honda)
General Motors Executive Vice President Global Product Development Mark Reuss (l to r), Michigan Lt. Governor Brian Calley and Honda CEO North American Region and President Honda North America Toshiaki Mikoshiba announced in Detroit on Monday a manufacturing joint venture to mass produce an advanced hydrogen fuel cell system that will be used in future products from each company. Fuel Cell System Manufacturing, LLC will operate within GM’s existing battery pack manufacturing facility site in Brownstown, Michigan. Read about Peter's visionary take on The Future of Racing and the Hydrogen Electric Racing Federation - from 2007! - here. -WG

(Mercedes-Benz images)
The new Mercedes-AMG E63 S Wagon is powered by a hand-crafted AMG 4.0-liter V8 biturbo engine with 603HP and 627 lb-ft at 2,500–4,500 rpm. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, with a top speed of 180 mph. The new Wagon features the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT (Multi Clutch Technology) 9-speed sport transmission combined with a wet clutch. Another highlight is the new AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel-drive system, which features fully variable torque distribution on the front and rear axles for the first time. The world premiere of the E63 S wagon will take place at the Geneva Motor Show in March, 2017, and it will be on sale in the U.S. next fall.