Known for its Show-n-Shine competition, Hot August Nights narrowed a list of 50 elite cars to the top 10 Friday in the competition for the Hot August Nights Cup. The competition is fierce as the award is one of the most prestigious in the country, giving entrants the opportunity to win over $100,000 in cash and prizes.
The Ultimate Best of Show winner receives $30,000 in cash, a customized tool box, a five-night stay at the Eldorado, and various gift certificated for McColister Transport, Optima Batteries, Adam’s Premium Car Care products, and Amole. But the real draw is a set of trophies for the owner and builder.
Second place receives $18,000 in cash while third gets $10,000, followed by fourth place with $7,000 and fifth place with $5,000. Second through fifth also receive gift certificates to various companies while the remaining finalists in the top ten receive a jacket and a trophy.
Judging the cars is Steve Mank, co-host on a Sprike TV show Musclecar. Mank has worked for years on various TV cars and movie cars including the General Lee, K.I.T.T. and the A-team vehicles and was a car builder for Batman and Batman Returns.
Mank receives judging help from Reggie Tibet’s, who has built over 150 vehicles and is co-owner of thesupernationals.com. Additionally, Eddie Potestio is on the judging team with a background in custom interiors and his role on TV show Search and Restore.
The top ten Finalists for the 2016 Hot August Nights Cup include:
- 1949 Cadillac 62C
- 1939 Oldsmobile Model 60
- 1969 Chevrolet Camaro
- 1937 Ford Coupe
- 1938 Alfa Romeo 2-Door
- 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air
- 1937 Ford Convertible
- 1959 Rambler Wagon
- 1955 Chevrolet 210
- 1962 Chevrolet Impala
Among the top ten finalists is Andy Leach, owner of Cal Auto Creations, who was the winner of the 2015 Barrett-Jackson Cup competition last year during Hot August Nights with his 1962 Chevrolet Bel Air Custom Bubble Top.
Leach told Classic Car News this is his third time participating in the cup as a finalist. His first year was in 2013 and he earned second place overall. “Being my third time in the top ten, I have to thank all my guys in the shop because they do great work and sometimes they get forgotten about, so I want to give them credit.”
Of being a finalist in 2016 after wining the 2015 Cup, Leach said, “Its kind of like a deer in the headlights feeling you know. There are ten great cars and its a great feeling to be picked in the top ten again. We brought our best, so we will see what happens.”
The top ten finalists will be on display at the Motorsports Auction Group salein the Reno-Sparks convention center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, with the winner announced at 6 p.m. in downtown Reno.
