Greybeard Promotions, Inc. and CHROME(r) specialty car insurance from ANPAC(r) are pleased to announce the debut of a one-of-a-kind trophy. "The Crème de la Chrome Award" recognizes the best of show winner at the Rocky Mountain Rod & Custom Car Show along with a $5,000 cash prize sponsored by CHROME(r) specialty car insurance from ANPAC(r). The trophy, which was designed by Darrell Mayabb, a notable automotive illustrator, will be displayed at several upcoming automotive events including The 43rd NSRA Street Rod Nationals Plus in Louisville, Kentucky and will debut at The 16th Annual Rocky Mountain Rod & Custom Car Show in Denver, Colorado recognizing the 2012 winner and its past and future recipients.
"The Crème de la Chrome Award was created to recognize the dedicated individuals who take pride in the vehicles that they design, restore or own," said Joe Haska, Founder and CEO of Greybeard Promotions, Inc. Therefore, it was an obvious choice for Haska to ask long-time friend of Greybeard, Darrell Mayabb, to design the trophy. "We are fortunate to have such remarkable talent available to us."
Although Mayabb's automotive illustrations are in demand by car magazines, racers and hot rod aficionados around the world, this was his first opportunity to design a trophy of this stature. The trophy stands eight feet tall and the build involved the work and craftsmanship of several Denver-based companies and individuals, which was conceptualized and directed by Mayabb.
Mayabb's signature is to include touchstones into his artwork. For this particular piece, Mayabb took the top portion of the wooden base, finished in black lacquer, and recreated the star design from the Statue of Liberty. The top knot on the trophy is a 20-inch custom car finished in chrome. Mayabb directed Hans Reuters, a notable sculptor, to sculpt the base the car sits on and the car itself. Jimmy Flinstone made a mold so the car could be reproduced in two sizes. There will only be one "life-size" original, which will sit on top of the "Pinnacle of Excellence" and the reduced-sized replica will be awarded to the winner each year at The Rocky Mountain Rod & Custom Car Show in Denver, Colorado. In addition to the winner of The 16th Annual Rocky Mountain Rod & Custom Car Show, the "Best of Show" winners from the previous 15 years (1997-2011) will be included on the base and will have an engraved plaque.
"We anticipate this trophy will become a legacy," said Mayabb. "In fact, auto enthusiasts are eager to see it...unfortunately; the only people who will be able to catch a glimpse before its official are the people who attend the events between now and November."
In 2011, over 150 vehicles competed for the award at The 15th Annual Rocky Mountain Rod & Custom Car Show in Denver, Colorado. In the end, the Butterscotch Yellow 1932 Ford Three-Window Coupe owned by Phil and Deb Becker earned the prestigious award. The vehicle was built by Dave Lane of Fast Lane Hot Rod Shop in Donahue, Iowa (who earlier this year won "The 2012 Grand National Roadster Show Builder of the Year"). The 2011 recipients of "The Crème de la Chrome Award", Phil and Debbie Becker, received a cash prize in the sum of $5,000, sponsored by CHROME(r) specialty car insurance from ANPAC(r). The Becker's also received national recognition and the opportunity to be enshrined on the one-of-a-kind trophy designed by Darrell Mayabb among the other 14 previous winners of this award.
The 16th Annual Rocky Mountain Rod and Custom Car Show is presented by a family-owned and operated promotions company, Greybeard Promotions, Inc. The Denver-based company has built a formidable reputation for producing quality automotive events.
For more information about Greybeard Promotions, Inc. or the 16th Annual Rocky Mountain Rod & Custom Car Show, visit www.greybeardpromotions.com, www.facebook.com/greybeardpromotions or check us out on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVh0OIZz2xQ.