Wally Parks
Have you ever been driving down the freeway or working on your car when that brilliant idea hit you? The more you thought about it, the more brilliant the idea became. When you called your friends for reinforcement, to see if the idea was actually as brilliant as you thought, there was always the chance they might pop your bubble. There are times you find the idea might only be brilliant to you, but other times it could be a life-altering idea, and the start of something that will endure over time. Dick “Scritch” Scritchfield had one of those brilliant ideas back in 1957, when he was working for the National Hot Rod Association’s Safety Safari. It turned out to be a great idea that received plenty of support from his peers. He wanted to start a car club for roadster owners that would reinforce the hot rod hobby.
The Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame is where hot rodding’s biggest names get the recognition they deserve. Since 1960, it’s been the ultimate nod to the builders, visionaries, and die-hard gearheads who’ve left their mark on the scene. This isn’t just a list of names—it’s a legacy of the innovators who’ve shaped the custom car world and made the Grand National Roadster Show the powerhouse event it is today.
The 2007 Grand National Roadster Show was a huge hit, as the celebration of the ’32 Ford kicked off in great style. Various builders, writers and hot rod industry figures throughout the country voted on hundreds of candidates for the 75th anniversary of the ’32 Ford. Though no pickups made the Significant 75 list it was still a sight to see, as some of the most famous ’32 Fords ever built were present. From the 75th anniversary to the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum located next to the Fairplex, there was a lot to see and do.
