Latest Vehicles

Most Popular Vehicles

Latest Features

Latest Topics

Featured Galleries

Photo of the Day

2006 Art Center Car Classic
By: Frank Filipponio
Photos by Drew Phillips
July 19, 2006

Article Images


The Art Center Car Classic celebrates the very best in automotive design and affords the opportunity to showcase Art Center’s strong ties to the industry as well as honor many of their noteworthy alumni. Past events have featured such speakers as alumni Syd Mead, Peter Brock, Chuck Pelly, Ken Okuyama, Chris Bangle, Shiro Nakumura, Frank Stephenson and Chip Foose, plus other noted designers like Steve Moal, Reeves Callaway, Gordon Murray and Dan Gurney.

The 2006 edition continued this tradition and although the high temperatures may have limited the crowd somewhat, those who attended were treated to some of the most beautiful automotive sights imaginable. Any show that can boast Jay Leno, Bruce Meyer, Chip Foose, Claudio Zampoli, Reeves Callaway, Ken Okuyama, Barry Meguire, Jerry Weigert, George Barris, Tim Allen, and Henrik Fisker among its attendees must be special. But this show is all about automotive design and the cars were clearly the stars.

Sports Cars, Racecars, Pininfarina designs, Pre-War Classics, Woodies, Hot Rods/Customs, Special Coachbuilt, and Sponsor Vehicles were all displayed in groupings around the Design Center's Sculpture Garden, a small natural bowl that provided intimacy and beautiful vistas. Additional vehicles were positioned near the guest entrance in the Oasis, along with photographs of early coachbuilding and examples of student artwork. With this year's focus on coachbuilding, the central corral had some of the most magnificent examples of this craft from the '20s, '30s and '40s. Duesenbergs, Bugattis, Packards, Mercedes-Benzes, and a Cord L-29 stood proud in the garden's center. But these were not the only standouts at the show. Although a few bicycles and motorbikes were displayed as well, the automobiles made up the bulk of the entries.

Personal favorites included the:
- 1956 Sydorick Maserati A6G 2000 Zagato
- 1950 Ferrari 166 LM
- 1950 Abarth 205 Vignale
- 1941 Tatra T-87
- 1935 Duesenberg SSJ
- 1938 Alfa Romeo 8C 2900B Touring Spyder
- Foose's P-32 Custom
- 1939 Lagonda V12 Rapide Tulipwood Two-Place Tourer

In addition to allowing attendees the chance to see these wonderful rolling sculptures, the Car Classic distinguishes itself from other concours by offering insight into the design process from some of the most recognized names in the business. Dave Kunz moderated a panel discussion with designers Randy Ema, Henrik Fisker and Ken Okuyama, and later provided a roaming interview session with some of the other designers and owners alongside their entries. We also got to hear from Patrick Le Quement about how Renault has used design to distance itself from other European makes. This unique look inside the process makes this a truly must-see event.

For more information about this event:
www.artcenter.edu