I was fortunate to have been invited to the Hall of Fame Luncheon at the 60th Grand National Roadster Show, thanks to my friends and clients Paul and his son Erik Hansen (for whom I designed their ‘52 Buick “Resilience”).
Check out Dave Bell’s artwork, created in honor of this momentous occasion:
Dave Bell's amazing 60th GNRS tribute poster, signed by the master!
What’s incredible about this event, beyond the amazing group of hot rodding and custom car legends that attend, is the history that these people share, and the many stories they tell. It’s this insight to the history of our industry, the GNRS and the cars that makes this a must-see-at-least-once-in-your-lifetime event (and well worth all of those hyphens!).
I shot a few videos between conversation at our table, feasting on some chow, and just generally looking around the room for cool autograph opportunities, and wanted to share a few of them here.
The legendary Blackie Gejeian is well-known for his marathon speeches, and this day was no exception! It was amazing to hear him relay tales of the earliest days of the show, and to compare those times with the current state of the GNRS. He told a heart-wrenching story about Al Slonaker (founder of the show), and shared the podium with the late Al’s wife, Mary, who was honored during the luncheon. Blackie also shared a great tale of the first show car to use a mirror in its display (and insight as to WHERE that mirror came from…).
60th GNRS Hall of Fame Luncheon ticket
Custom car legend Dick Bertolucci took the podium, and shared some stories, as well…. Most notably about the master of metalwork, Harry Westergard. (I was fortunate to share a distant connection with this legend, having been commissioned to draw a Westergard-customized Cadillac, when Kurt McCormick restored the car a couple of years back) It was an absolutely fantastic time listening to these stories, and just sitting in a room with legends… hell, with the very heroes I grew up reading about. I can’t say “thanks” enough to have had this opportunity, and to have been able to make a living doing what I love, sharing the same passion as these greats. On that note, it was truly an honor to witness Thom Taylor’s induction to the GNRS Hall of Fame (in the same weekend that The Hot Rod Art Book debuted, in which I am fortunate to share some pages with him!), as his work was instrumental in my decision to pursue hot rod and custom car design as a career. A very cool moment indeed.
I hope you enjoy the videos as much as I enjoyed the good fortune of attending this event…
