Monday, June 15, 2015

The Ioccoca Award honors a person who has demonstrated an extraordinary dedication to the classic car hobby through vehicle preservation, club participation, and one who has unselfishly assisted and encouraged others in perpetuating an “American Automotive Tradition.” ( nobody nominated me... sigh) Here are some stand out award recipients

Don Garlits is considered the “father” of drag racing, with his design perfecting the rear engine “top fuel dragster design” saving many lives. Together with his wife they started the Don Garlits Museum in 1976.

Denise McGluggage is a pioneer for women in both motorsports and journalism as a race car driver, author and photographer. Her many achievements include the only journalist inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame. She’s founding editor of the magazine Autoweek and through The Concorso she’s helped to contribute to non-profit youth organizations in Northern New Mexico.

John Hotchkis, Jr. President of Hotchkis Performance is involved first-hand with many aspects of the car culture: through modification, installing latest performance parts as well as providing driving instruction on the track. He participates in the Wounded Warrior Foundation, Cruising for a Cure, Make a Wish, Motor 4 Toys and Sema Cars – Victory Junction Gang Camp.

Jacob Bagnell is a “car guy for all seasons”! He is a retired high school teacher of auto shop/mechanics, an entrepreneur starting an automotive and motorcycle upholstery business, a restorer with dozens of cars to his credit, an author writing professional journals and curriculum, a speaker demonstrating automotive procedures and a leader with his volunteerism in numerous charitable organizations.

Dr. Frederick A. Simeone a renowned neurosurgeon has assembled over 60 of the rarest and most significant racing cars ever built at The Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum in Philadelphia. His Foundation supports and has held events for United Cerebral Palsy, American Cancer Society, Mission Kids, Daddy’s Spirit to name a few.

Bill Alley is a virtual library of facts. He will make the parts if he cannot find what the other person is seeking. He specializes in collecting brass era cars, about 125 in total, many pre-1915. Through his various automotive affiliations, he has been a major participant in Driving Young America Fund for scholarships to individuals and institutions. A former Olympian and a retired mechanical engineer with multiple patents in the medical and aerospace industries. He is the owner of a large collection of early original unrestored cars. Alley does most of his own restoration work including fabricating parts when needed. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?r103:S27MY3-B121:

Craig Jackson, Chairman and CEO of the Barrett-Jackson Auction Company, is one of the world’s most respected car collector and restoration experts. Jackson’s auctions are known all over the world and he consistently has improved the quality and scope of the events. His commitment to philanthropy has earned millions of dollars for charities across the country.

Ken Gross is a highly acclaimed automotive journalist for 37 years writing in numerous publications, such as AutoWeek, Hagerty’s Magazine, Road & Track, Old Cars Weekly and many, many more. He’s written numerous books, his latest: Hot Rods and Custom Cars, Los Angeles and The Dry Lakes.

Tim and Pam Wellborn (joint award) host a gathering of win cars every 5 years on the lawn of their home. Tim is a proud owner of a very rare car, the 1971 Hemi Charger. He became a car aficionado at age 14, and bought his car 2 years before he even had his license. He fixed up the car, and used it to woo his high school sweetheart, Pam, who is now his wife of many years.

Jack Nethercutt is the owner of Nethercutt Museums (which was started by his father, JB Nethercutt, in 1971). The Museum showcases over 200 cars and is open to the public for free tours. Jack continues to enrich the legacy of his father, a true car enthusiast and collector.

Jim and Zona Painter (joint award) are owners of Painter Motor, a Chrysler, Plymouth, and Dodge Franchise commencing in 1945. Jim and Zona have 60 years in the car business, 60 years of marriage, 10 children, 37 grandchildren, and 18 great grandchildren. These two have made cars their business and their hobby for over half a century.
http://www.moparmax.com/features/2010/v_9-painter-1.html

Bill Warner is the founder of The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and has been an avid car collector all of his life. He is an award winning photographer and writer for Sports Car Graphic, Road & Track and dozens of respected national magazines, prestigious museums and celebrated automotive venues. Bill is also recognized by his countless charitable contributions.

Roger Morrison has served as a member and chairman of the McPherson College Advisory Board since its inception of its auto restoration program. He has the distinction of being one of, if not the longest serving team of judges for the famous Concours Pebble Beach Show.

Arnold Marks has been a car club member for 50 years. He owns a shop where he holds a yearly clinic, which members can work on their cars. Arnold is also an auto mechanics teacher. Arnold is one of the original members of the MOCC since it started in 1978.

Larry Dobbs has been a car club member for 30 years. He is the publisher of Mustang Monthly Magazine and was inducted in the Mustang Hall of Fame in 2005. He has supported the Iacocca Foundation as he himself has type I diabetes.

Steve McCarley purchased his first Mustang even before he could drive. At 14 years old, he spent two years fixing it up so it would be ready when he obtained his drivers license. He was event director of this 30-year anniversary event and has held numerous positions in Mustang Clubs on the local and national level. He also was the first person Ford allowed to test drive a Mustang that was not a Ford employee.

Carroll Shelby has been a car club member for 50 years. Carroll’s organizations include: Carroll Shelby Children’s Foundation and Automotive Hall of Fame. Carroll has helped restore Cobra cars and reproductions all around the world. Carroll Shelby was also the Grand Marshal of the Concours show. And, all Mustang lovers are familiar with the “Shelby” and he continues to advise on automotive design.

This very unique award is linked with the Iacocca Family Foundation whose mission it is to find a cure for diabetes. This is fitting because, like Lee Iacocca’s dedication to the Foundation’s mission, these car enthusiasts are committed to serve their communities.

 The Lee Iacocca Award was available for classic car events nationwide. (They are retiring it now, 10 years, 20 awards per year, 200 total, and the award will no longer be presented after this car show season of 2015)

To date, recipients include participants in the following car shows and clubs:
Amelia Island Concours d’ Elegance
Antique Automobile Club of America
Arthritis Foundation Classic Car Show
Boys and Girls Club
Boca Raton Concours
Concours d’ Elegance of the Eastern United States
Forge Invitational Musclecar Classic
Glenmoor Gathering of Significant Automobiles
Gunnison Colorado Car Show
Hilton Head Concours d’ Elegance
Lake Mirror Classic Auto Festival
Legends of Riverside Racing Film Festival And Gala
Lincoln and Continental Classic Car Show
Mopars at the Strip
Mustang Club of America
Mustang Owners Club of California
Palos Verdes Concours d’Elegance
Rocky Mountain Concours d’ Elegance
Rodeo Drive Concours d’ elegance
San Fernando Valley Region Chevrolet
Silver Spring All-GM Oktoberfest
Silver Spring Ford and Mustang Show
Southeastern Michigan Mustang Club
Slant Six Club
Walter P. Chrysler Club – 10,000 Lakes Region
http://iacoccaaward.com/about/

2015 will mark the 10th year of The Lee Iacocca Award. Mr. Iacocca feels the time is right to retire this prestigious award, making it a “Limited Edition.” There have never been more than 20 shows in a year (all over the country) presenting The Lee Iacocca Award. The Award honors a person within the classic car community who has shown over time their dedication to the classic car hobby and who has done good works. The Lee Iacocca Award has played an important part in The Iacocca Family Foundation’s history of raising awareness in the fight against diabetes but doesn’t preclude honorees (or clubs) dedication to their individual charitable organization.

At the conclusion of 2015 The Lee Iacocca Award will have honored close to 200 of the most respected men and women in the classic car world. They are from all walks of life, some famous but most are the “unsung” heroes. It is bittersweet to say farewell to an Award, The Antique Automobile Club of America has stated: “The Lee Iacocca Award Is the Most Coveted Award To Win On The Classic Car Circuit”, but even with the most popular car, the greatest value is in “The Limited Edition.”

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