Rides for a Reason Virtual Car Show

The National Auto Body Council announced the award winners in their first NABC Rides for a Reason Virtual Car Show. At this event, NABC member auto body shops, their employees, and enthusiasts had the ability to put their rides on display in a virtual format.

The show included top cars, trucks, and motorcycles from member shops, car clubs, and individual owners. Winners were selected by celebrity automotive judges. Proceeds from the event are being used to support the NABC’s mission to change and save lives. Recycled Rides, First Responder Emergency Extraction, and its Distracted Driving Initiative are among the NABC’s programs.

Among the judges were some of the top names in car design, restoration, preservation, and performance. Doug Rice, Performance Racing Network president, selected Frank Rinudo’s ’41 Willys as the winner in the Hot Rods, Rat Rods, and Customs category. Owner of Frank’s Body Shop in Slidell, Louisiana, Rinudo restored and customized the Willys, nicknamed “Overkill” because it’s loud, disagreeable, and a handful to drive.

In the Antique/Vintage class, Dave Tate’s ‘30s Ford Five-Window Coupe was chosen by classic car restorer Walt Hollifield. The owner of Tate’s Tire in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Dave found his Ford at an auction after years of searching and then spent even longer restoring and updating it.

NASCAR Hall of Fame team owner Ray Evernham judged the Best of the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s class. His pick? Dallas, Texas’ Paula Vachon’s ’73 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Convertible. Vachon’s husband bought the car to replace the one she drove in the ‘80s, painting it in its original color.

Mike and Jim Ring, better known as the Ring Brothers, were the judges of Old School Muscle Cars: ’60s and ’70s. Selecting the ’66 Olds Cutlass of Wylie, Texas’ Richard Johnson, its transmission, suspension, brakes, and paint job were updated in creating his ideal pro-tourer.

Bill Gottschalk’s 2015 Ford Mustang GT Convertible was the choice of Car Coach founder Lauren Fix in the Modern Muscle: 1980s to Today class. Gottschalk, who is a teacher and technician at LaVista, Nebraska’s Metro Tech Community College, customized the Mustang for speed and handling.

Gottschalk also received a second award, Best Paint, chosen by Ray Evernham. Gottschalk’s Mustang featured a Spies Hecker Black and Axalta Metal Flake Hot Candy Apple Red paint scheme, which he applied himself.

The Truck class was evaluated by California Speed and Custom’s Mark Oja. His choice was Hector Briones’ 2005 Chevy Avalanche. Briones, of Berkshire Hathaway Automotive in Forley, Texas, rebuilt and customized the truck after it was damaged in an accident.

Kyle Morley, owner and operator of XecutionStyle Kustom Paint Motorcycles, tabbed the 2007 Suzuki 450 Ricky Carmichael Edition of Spicer, Minnesota’s Rick Laino, as the Motorcycle winner. Autographed by Carmichael, the bike has never been started, ridden, or had oil or gas in it!

Collinsville, Illinois’ Lawrence Logsdon’s 2006 Dodge Charger, took the Wild Card category presented by Allstate, judged by Allstate Claims’ Clint Marlow. Customized with an El Camino/Ranchero style truck bed, the Charger features a one-of-a-kind paint job and restyling.

“We’re excited to bring people together in a virtual show, to celebrate our collective love of automobiles,” said Clint Marlow, National Auto Body Council board chairman. “For our members who work in the collision repair industry, this was a chance to show off their projects, dream cars and favorite vehicles. We enjoyed seeing all of great vehicles from enthusiasts all across the country, in a forum where car lovers were able to participate in a national show judged by some of the top automotive celebrities.”

Sponsors included LKQ, Akzo Nobel, All Star Auto Lights, Allstate, Axalta, Berkshire Hathaway Automotive, CARSTAR, FindPigtails.com, and Goodyear Brakes. NABC also held a silent auction that offered unique experiences and dream trips to raise even more funds for NABC programs.

[Images: National Auto Body Council]