ArtCenter Classic 2016

Pasadena, California’s ArtCenter College of Design annually welcomes those interested in automotive design to its Car Classic exhibition on campus, held this year on October 23 and called “Built by Hand.” Billed as an event “where extraordinary ideas are realized as visionaries push transportation boundaries to a limitless future,” this year’s event presented a carefully curated selection of 120 innovative handcrafted vehicles that ranged from wacky to wonderful, as demonstrated by a Laker fan’s “tribute” BMW Isetta and a dreamy, midnight blue 1936 Delahaye 135 Competition Figoni et Falaschi work of art.

Some 100 Fisher Body Craftsman’s Guild members attended as part of a special reunion in recognition of the General Motor’s sponsored competition that was held from 1930 to 1968, and drew entries from millions of teenage boys for the annual car-building and design competition in hopes of being recognized as potential future talent by GM.

At day’s end, Car Classic judges presented Built By Hand Awards in nine categories, with top honors going to:

Bold American Design

Dan Gregg – 1964 Buick Riviera

James Huizdos – 1963 Ford Thunderbird

Built by Hand

Mike Jahns – 2016 Randy Grubb Falconer Dodic

Classic Design

Rod and Elaine Byrd – 1957 Studebaker Golden Hawk

Emily and Sam Mann – 1937-38 Delage D8-120SS

Competition

Ed Justice Jr. – 1946 Bill Burke Belly Tanker

Hector Vazquez – 1974 Alfa Romeo GTV115