2009 Ga Tech Auto Show

Atlanta had been having a drought, but the Sixth Annual show weekend was definitely the end of it. It rained and stormed like crazy all weekend. It could have been bad, but we moved the show to one of the parking decks and stayed high and dry. In fact some of the show participants who come every year said they liked it better. The weather did impact the number of vehicles at the show, of 250 registered only 75 actually made it through the storms to attend this year. We still had an impressive array of vehicles and good attendance.

Alum, Gilbert Zeal EE, 1960, drove his 1965 yellow Thunderbird through the storms from Pensacola to come share his stories from tech days and show off his beautiful automobile. The speaker this year, Robert Englar, an aerodynamicist from GTRI shared his ideas of the importance of aerodynamics to the speed of a vehicle.  He discussed his race teams attempt to break a land speed record on the Bonneville Salt Flats  which they lost by a hair.  The record was 240.5 and they came in just 1.5 mph short of breaking the record.

2009 Auto Show Winners!!

Congratulations to all of you!  We think everyone at the show is a winner.  These are the cars that were most popular within their categories among those entrants and spectators who filled out a ballot at the show.  Also listed are those singled out for special recognition by the show organizers.  Please note the variety of people and cars that are being recognized and also please be aware that several of the recipients who identified themselves as “Fans” are in fact parents or other relatives of Tech students.

The number of trophies given in a particular class is a reflection of the number of cars entered in that class.  Hopefully no one is participating in the show simply to win a trophy.  That isn’t what the show is about.  You might also be interested to know that traditionally the show recognizes about 30% of the entrants with an award.

1978 – 2008 Unmodified
For late model production cars in factory or near stock condition – minimal modifications

1st    Ferrari 328 GTB                    James Pernikoff (Fan)

2nd    1978 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow II            Mike Pusateri (BSEcon 1983)

3rd    1989 BMW M3                    Stephen T Du (Mgt 2002)

4th    2001 Yellow Camaro                    John Kane (UEC Student)

1948 – 1977 Unmodified
For older post-war production cars in factory or near stock condition – minimal modifications

1st    Citroen 2CV                        Parker Parish (AE 1998)

2nd    1968 Dodge Charger R/T  (Gold)            Sherman Banks (BEE 1987)

3rd    1952 Hudson Hornet                    Preston Stevens (Arch 1953)

1900 – 1947 Unmodified
For pre-war designed production cars in factory or near stock condition – minimal modifications

1st    1931 Plymouth                    Harry F Jenkins (Textiles 1973)

RWD or AWD Modified
All years of significantly modified cars with either rear or all-wheel drive.  This includes hot     rods, street machines, and street legal kit / replica / homebuilt cars

1st    1967 Camaro Convertible (Blue)            Joel D Davis (MSCE 1999)

2nd    MGB with V8 (Gold)                    Tim O’Brian (Fan)

3rd    1964 Porsche 904 (reproduction)            Randy Beck (Fan)

4th    Porsche 550 Spyder (reproduction)            Chuck Beck (Fan)

5th    Mazda Miata V8                    Nathan Sumner (ME Student)

Front Wheel Drive Modified
All years of significantly modified cars with front wheel drive.  This includes the popular     “import tuner” cars.

1st    1971 Austin Mini (with Honda Engine)        NJ Boone (Fan)

2nd    Scion XB                        Brent (Fan)?

3rd    Scion TC                        Bre (Fan)

Trucks, 4×4, and SUV
This includes all types and years of trucks; pick-ups, SUVs, Jeeps, off-roaders….

1st    Ford Explorer                        Ben Lee (BME Student)

2nd    Red Ford Bronco                    C Trent Mayo (Mgt Student)

Motorcycles
Anything with 2 wheels and an engine … 3 wheels, side cars…..

1st    1967 Honda CL125                Cooper Garrett/Norman Garrett (BME 1981)

2nd     Ducati 998                        Rick Radford (Fan)

3rd    Suzuki GSXR 750                    John Loesel (ME Student)

Alternate Fuel Vehicles
Electric, hybrid, solar, bio-diesel, hydrogen … any form of power other than traditional internal     combustion.  Also known as “green cars”

1st    ZAP Car                        Paul Webber (BSME, BSIE 2008)

2nd    Gashopper                        Frank Boulton (Fan)

3rd    1960 Huffy Roadmaster                Brady Horn (CE Student)

Race and Experimental
Vehicles that are built for competition, entertainment, or education that are not designed for     basic transportation needs or necessarily street legal

1st    1929 Ford Special                    Ray Morgan (Fan)

2nd    2008 Elan DP01                    Chip Lewis (BME 1998)

3rd    Locost Lotus 7                        Andrew Fida (ME Student)

Student Beaters
These are the most elemental examples of automotive transportation.  The cars must be     driven to the show but beyond that the more decrepit the vehicle the better … extra points     for a GT Parking pass, spray paint, bondo, bailing wire, and duct tape.

1st     Dodge Sweptline Truck                Jeremy Schoen (Mgt Student)

2nd    Nissan 300ZX 2+2                    Jason Kuykendall (ID Student)

3rd    Firebird Formula                    Dave Lynn (ID Faculty)

Special Recognition

Angel Award Parker T Baxster (ME Student)
To someone who is instrumental in making the show happen.  This year it was earned by a     student member of the show’s organizing committee who put posters all over campus.

Dean Thomas D Galloway Memorial Award Kara Allen (Alum Association)
In honor of the beloved educator and Dean of the College of Architecture, this trophy is given to the member of the Tech community who, like Dean Galloway, recognized and supported the vision of the Georgia Tech Auto Show through extraordinary efforts or generosity.

Design Award Porsche 904 Reproduction    Chuck Beck (Fan)
This distinction is awarded by a small committee of knowledgeable automotive designers and historians to a vehicle of particular design significance or sensitivity.  It may go to an unmodified classic or to a modified car that reveals a profound appreciation for and attention to design.

Engineering Award Locost Lotus 7 Homebuilt    Andrew Fida (ME Student)
Similar to the design award, this honor is bestowed by a small committee to the vehicle that     exhibits a particularly significant engineering achievement on either a personal or corporate     level.

Special Recognition Ray Morgan (Fan)
Ray Morgan drove his 1929 open top Ford Special to the show in the pouring rain.  He would hold up an umbrella at traffic lights.  Truly spectacular commitment to the show!!

Guest Speaker Robert J Englar (GTRI)