GNRS Announces 2024 Hall Of Fame Inductees
Automotive icons Kodama, Brizio Hollenbeck, Jacobs & Eastwood recognized…
Mooneyes President Chico Kodama, lifetime enthusiast Terri Brizio Hollenbeck, hot rodder Jim “Jake” Jacobs and hot-rod craftsman Pete Eastwood will be recognized as the 2024 Hall of Fame inductees at the 74th annual Grand National Roadster Show on Feb. 2-4.
Created in 1960, the Hall of Fame was established to recognize those who have contributed to the legacy of the Grand National Roadster Show and to celebrate their influence in the world of hot rodding and custom cars, according to a press release announcing the honorees.
Previous inductees include founding members Al Slonaker, Joe Bailon, George Barris and, more recently, Bill Ganahl, Billy Gibbons and Ed “Big Daddy” Roth. Hall of Fame inductees are nominated and voted upon by existing Hall of Fame members.
“This year’s inductees represent the incredible innovation and creativity that drives the hot rod and custom car industry,” said John Buck, producer of the Grand National Roadster Show. “The Hall of Fame comprises some of the most significant and impactful people in automotive history, and we are honored to welcome these legends.”
As the president of Mooneyes since 1992, Kodama teamed with Shige Suganuma to revitalize the Moon Equipment Company brand and help build Mooneyes, the iconic American speed equipment and custom accessories company, into an international brand that honors legendary founder Dean Moon’s legacy and celebrates car and motorcycle culture.
A longtime car lover, Kodama’s first car was a 1960 Corvette purchased in 1972 for $650. He began his Bonneville racing career in 2006 and has since set class records in F/BFMR (193.847 mph, 2008) and D/BFRMR (243.124, 2020). He is still chasing speed on the Salt Flats.
Hollenbeck is a hot rodder by both birth and marriage who has paved her own path in the world of custom cars. Born into the famous Brizio family, Hollenbeck grew up attending the Oakland Roadster Show with her parents, Andy and Sue Brizio, and met her future husband, Darryl Hollenbeck, at the 1998 show.
She and Darryl are co-owners of Concord, California’s Vintage Color Studio and the couple worked together to create an eye-catching 1932 Ford highboy roadster that claimed the 2016 AMBR Award. Hollenbeck joins her father, mother, brother and husband in the Hall of Fame.
Jacobs’ career in the automotive world has spanned from enthusiast and welder to magazine editor and renowned car builder. Jacobs helped create and rebuild some of the world’s most renowned hot rods, including returning Bill NieKamp’s roadster, the first AMBR winner, to its 1950 show condition.
He also built his own 1950s-style hot rod, a chopped 1934 coupe, which graced the cover of Rod & Custom magazine in November 1973. Jacobs partnered with Pete Chapouris to create Pete & Jake’s Hot Rod Parts, which they sold in 1986.
Jacobs has since “semi-retired” but continues to work on special projects, including Billy Gibbons’ “Copperhead” coupe and his 1928 roadster that was displayed at last year’s GNRS.
Perhaps best known for founding P-Wood’s Garage, Eastwood’s love of cars started in childhood with his father, Doug. Eastwood built a 1932 three-window coupe just after high school, leading him to a job at Blair’s Speed Shop at just 19 years old.
He went on to open P-Wood’s Garage in 1978. The garage’s celebrated projects include the chassis for John Siroonian’s 1981 AMBR winner, Tom Prufer’s 1934 three-window “Cop Shop Coupe” and Bob Morris’ black 1932 highboy, “The Nickel Car.”
His later career included stints at the Petersen Automotive Museum and the newly re-formed So-Cal Speed Shop, where Bob McGee’s roadster, the Doane Spencer roadster and the Duffy Livingston “Eliminator” all received his handiwork.
The Hall of Fame celebration and ceremony, which is sponsored by the Petersen Automotive Museum, NHRA Motorsports Museum and the Lions Automobilia Foundation and Museum, will take place on the evening of Friday, Feb. 2, at the Fairplex in Pomona. A limited number of tickets are available for advance purchase.
For tickets or more information about the 2024 O’Reilly Auto Parts Grand National Roadster Show presented by Meguiar’s, visit rodshows.com/grand-national.
