47th Annual Fresno Autorama News

Fresno Autorama founder Blackie Gejeian promises that his 47th annual Fresno Autorama will be wilder than ever: Gejeian has named legendary hot rod designer and fabricator Chip Foose to be his "Builder of the Year."

The Fresno Autorama has long been regarded as one of the finest indoor car shows held in North America. Scheduled to be held March 17-19, 2006 in the Fresno Convention Center's new Exhibit Hall, the Fresno Autorama will feature more than 200 of the finest show cars, hot rods and custom automobiles around -- hand-picked from all over the nation.

"The quality of this show is growing each year," Gejeian said. "We've got more top 'out-to-state' cars than ever that are coming to make their West Coast debut."

Each year Gejeian pays homage to the work of one top custom car designer in particular ... his "Builder of the Year." His choice for 2006? The incomparable Chip Foose, of Huntington Beach, CA.

Foose captured the Don Ridler Memorial Award for an amazing third time in the last four years at the 53rd Detroit Autorama held in at Detroit's Cobo Hall. Foose was honored with the prestigious award, one of the most coveted trophies on the show car circuit, for his incredible interpretation of "Impression" - a '36 Ford Roadster belonging to Ken Reister of Littleton, Colorado.

Chip won his first "Ridler" Award in 2002 at the 50th Anniversary Show of the Detroit Autorama with Bob and Wes Rydell's '35 Chevy Master, otherwise known as the "Grand Master."

Chip received his second "Ridler" award at the Detroit Autorama in 2003, which featured Ron Whiteside's '34 Mercury Monarch "Stallion."

"Chip Foose is bringing all three of his Ridler award-winners to display at Fresno," Gejeian said. "This will be the first time Three Ridler winners have ever been displayed together--let alone three Ridler winners designed and built by the same man."

Chip Foose and his Foose Design team can be seen on the popular Discovery Channel series Overhaulin' that airs weekly on TLC.