Building the “most beautiful” of anything is quite an achievement, even more so if it is a title bestowed by ones’ peers and not just something you run around screaming at anyone who will listen. The world of competitive hot rod building may not be a full contact sport, but their are millions of dollars, big egos, and a lot of pride at stake. There can only be one winner, after all.
And this year the winner was well-deserved, that’s for sure. Hemmings Auto Blog reports that the 2012 Grand National Roadster show award for Most Beautiful Roadster went to the Socal Speed-built Indy Speedster.
The Indy Speedster has a long history with hot rod shows, originally begun back in the 1990’s by Jackie Howerton. Howerton showed up to events in the half-completed, all-aluminum Speedster, refusing to finish it unless the Speedster was perfect. Bill Lindig bought the Speedster in 2007 and finally got around to finishing the project.
While Howerton’s chromemoly chassis, which incorporates a torsion-bar suspension, remained, Lindig brought in a 352 cubic-inch V8 engine. But engines don’t win “Most Beautiful Roadster” rewards, and it is obvious that the Indy Speedster won on its aesthetics. That doesn’t mean it can’t function; it can and does. But it sure is purty to look at, first and foremost. Do you agree?
