ArtCenter Car Classic / Shaping the Future

Photos by John Grafman

(Pasadena, Calif.) October 24, 2016 — A crowd of more than 2,000 mobility fans experienced multi-sensory delight at “Built by Hand” ArtCenter College of Design’s Car Classic 2016 on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016. Attendees met collectors and the imaginative makers who create handcrafted vehicles featured on the road, in museums and around the world. Designers are celebrities at Car Classic, where extraordinary ideas are realized as visionaries push transportation boundaries to a limitless future.

ArtCenter College of Design—a leader in educating the world’s top automotive designers and transportation specialists— is presenting a carefully curated selection of 120 innovative handcrafted vehicles. The field offers something for everyone in terms of style and intent. Car Classic delivers one of the most eclectic mix of machinery anywhere to an appreciative audience.

New York Times best-selling author, podcast and TV host Adam Carolla’s interview with hot rod obsessed Randy Grubb about custom-built cars is providing one of the many highlights on the field. The pair shares jokes and good natured ribbing to the benefit of those listening. But, Gary’s efforts are no laughing matter. These are the definition of hand-made.

Carolla also went one-on-one with master car builder Gary Wales. Gary has a penchant for creating larger than life, drivable monuments. Imagine someone sticking a massive car from the early 1900s and a Batmobile into a blender; the end result is what Wales hammers out.

Additional discussions and panels featuring the top design influencers, such as Dave Marek (BS 91) of Acura Honda, Freeman Thomas (BS 83) with Ford, Franz von Holzhausen (BS 92) of Tesla. Or as some might say, the automotive dream team.

It’s hard to swing a dead chicken and not strike one impressive automotive icon or another. In the space of a few feet are Pete Callaway, Joji Barris, and Henrik Fisker, just to name a few.

Arguably, it’s the smallest cars that have largest impact at this impressive show. Several proud ArtCenter alumni are among the 100 Fisher Body Craftsman’s Guild members in attendance for a special reunion of the General Motor’s sponsored competition, held in conjunction with this year’s Car Classic. From 1930 to 1968, millions of teenage boys entered the annual car-building and design competition to be recognized as potential future talent by the car maker. Attendees include Craig Hodgetts of prestigious L.A.-based architecture firm Hodgetts + Fung and Stewart Reed, veteran automotive designer and chair of ArtCenter’s Transportation Design department.

Model makers travelled to Pasadena for this reunion and are displaying their impressive 1/12^th scale models depicting future car design concepts inspiring students and younger car designers-in-the-making who attended Sunday’s event. There’s nothing quite like the imagination of a teenager, and the proof is there for all to see

Numerous Fisher Body contestants went on to study automotive design at ArtCenter and launched successful careers with automotive companies around the world.

One of which, Bud Magaldi (BS 66), and his wife Mary, of Canton, Michigan, are raving about the celebratory reunion weekend. After winning the competition as a high school student, alumnus Magaldi went on to a 32-year career with Ford Motor Company.

One takeaway from the Fisher Body Contest is, just how young the contestants were. The bulk of those on hand today were only 15 or 16-years old. Another aspect that stands out is the quality of these models, both in terms of design and fabrication. This is a reminder that prior to the digital age, kids developed skills using their hands early in life. In today’s world, this is a nearly forgotten art for our youth.

Tomorrow is never certain, but we’re positive there are still more classic cars yet to be designed, and ArtCenter will be playing a big part in forging the future.

EMCEES

Ed Justice Jr., President and CEO, Justice Brothers, Inc. and co-host, Motor Trend Radio
Dave Kunz, Automotive Reporter, KABC-TV Channel 7 Los Angeles
Barry J. Meguiar, President and CEO, Meguiar’s, Inc. and host, Car Crazy Radio

JUDGES

Kevin Beard (BS 92), Dennis Campbell, Marek Djordjevic (BS 91), Fireball Tim (BS 89), Miguel Galluzzi (BS 86), Jason Hill (BS 90), Derek Jenkins (BS 93), Tisha Johnson (BS 99), Dennis Little (BS 68), Dave Marek (BS 87), Jordan Meadows, Jae Min (BS 94), Chuck Pelly (BS 58), Richard Pietruska (BS 70), Rich Plavetich, Christopher Rhoades (BS 86), Lucian Rosca (BS 89), John Sahs (BS 92), Frank Saucedo (BS 84), Freeman Thomas (BS 83), Franz von Holzhausen (BS 92), Jonathan Ward, Geoff Wardle, Jose Wyzsogrod (BS 96)

The College and those attending are grateful for support for this event from generous premier patrons Bruce Heavin (BFA 93) and Lynda Weinman. ArtCenter also appreciates event partners Alfa Romeo, Clarion Builds, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford, Honda and Hyundai.