GNRS Inducts Four Hot Rodders into Hall of Fame
The Grand National Roadster Show has continued its long-standing tradition of inducting leading figures in hot rodding into the Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame. Show officials inducted four more figures into the hall of fame this past weekend at the 70th running of the show. The 2019 class features pinstriper and Kustom Kulture artist Tom Kelly, acclaimed painter Pete Santini, award-winning upholsterer and interior builder Ron Mangus, and the lauded customizer Bill Ganahl.
The Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame was established in 1960.
Each of the four 2019 inductees has earned acclaim throughout the custom car industry.
Kelly lent his pinstriping and airbrushing skills to thousands of cars, motorcycles and standalone works of art over several decades, helping to define the Kustom Kulture art style.
Santini, owner and founder of Santini Paint and Body, has painted a wide variety of high-profile custom cars and hot rods for private collectors as well as for manufacturers including Ford. Since founding his company-Ron Mangus Interiors-over four decades ago, Mangus has won numerous high-profile awards for his upholstery work including two America’s Most Beautiful Roadster victories at the Grand National Roadster Show in 1992 and 2010.
Ganahl of South City Rod & Custom owes his established reputation within the community for elegant designs and top-notch craftsmanship. Ganahl has won numerous awards over the years including a class win and Triple Gun Award at the Grand National Roadster Show.
“We are very proud to present these four honorees for the 2019 Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame,” said John Buck, the show’s producer. “The Hall of Fame is one of the most prestigious gatherings of hot rod and custom car industry leaders past and present, and we know all of our Class of 2019 inductees have earned their rightful places here.”
Each of the inductees was honored on Jan. 25 at the Hall of Fame Inductees Dinner in Pomona, California.
