When one thinks of custom roadsters, Packard probably isn’t the first automaker that comes to mind. Perhaps it was this think-outside-the-box creativity, along with flawless craftsmanship, that prompted judges at last weekend’s Grand National Roadster Show to select Bruce Wanta’s Mulholland Speedster, built by Troy Ladd and Hollywood Hot Rods, as America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) for 2017.

It isn’t correct to call the roadster a Packard, though part of the car did begin life as a 1936 Packard 1401 coupe. The grille is likely the most recognizable Packard bit left, though the beltline ornamentation ends in a familiar spear point, the hood carries Packard-like twin chrome rails to accent the vents and the wheel covers bear the Packard logo. Aside from this (and the authentic Packard instrumentation), the rest of the car wears design influences from a number of domestic and foreign pre-war automobiles. Packard never produced a car with a power-retractable hard top, either, but the Mulholland Speedster’s roof tucks away under the rear deck lid when not needed.

More pics of the nation's most beautiful roadster, 2017.