SPECIAL GUESTS

“My first ‘encounter’ with an Alfa (my father’s car) was the 1954 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint back in 1965. Black on black, my mind remembers the noice, the smells, the sounds ... too much to handle at a young age.” –Miguel Galluzzi (’86) “The Cord 812 was a game changer — the boldest, most futuristic, style driven car in its era. The design principles of this vehicle could be applied today and have similar results.” –Dave O’Connell (’80) “The simplicity of the wedge form treatment makes the Lancia Stratos look fresh even after a few decades.” –Lucian Rosca (’89) “The 1980 Audi 100 (called the 5000 in the US) was the first true aero sedan with flush glass — the design that proved aero could be beautiful.” –Dave O’Connell (’80) “The 1955-75 Citroen DS was a car ahead of its time in both design and engineering, made when being audacious was part of the DRP and focus groups were not.” –Lucian Rosca (’89) “The 1965 Porsche 911 continues as the sports car reference standard after nearly 50 years. Butzi Porsche’s Icon.” –Steve Anderson (’91) “To me there wasn’t another car that was as pure, clean, confident, and all around just perfect than the first generation BMW E30 M3 produced from 1985-1992. It wasn’t ‘styled’ but felt just right — upright, perfectly proportioned, compact and agile.” –Robert Bauer (’94) “The 1973 Ferrari BB512, classical Italian design at its best, represents the end of an era, then came the ‘exuberant’ 1980’s Testarossa.” –Miguel Galluzzi (’86) “The 1978 Citroen CX had provocative design that broke so many rules yet still looks modern today.” –Dave O’Connell (’80) “I believe the Ford GT 40 could be a case study for what timeless design means.” –Lucian Rosca (’89) “With the 1982 Audi 100 (U.S. 5000), Audi schooled the world on modernism, aerodynamics and technical elegance. The 100 showed that an aesthetic of reason and science, devoid of hyperbole, could be utterly beautiful.” –Steve Anderson (’91)

HONOREES

Ron Hill TRAN '55

Ron Hill TRAN '55 has been an influential figure in the world of transportation design for more than four decades. Hill joined Art Center in 1985 as Chair of the Industrial Design Department. In 1992, he was appointed Chair of the Transportation Design Department, where he stayed until retiring in 2000. Hill’s career began after graduating from Art Center in 1954. That year he joined General Motors, where he designed the rear end and fin treatment for the 1957 Eldorado Biarritz. After a stint in the U.S. Army, Hill was involved in almost every area of GM’s design projects, and worked abroad at GM’s affiliates in Germany, England and Brazil. As a chief designer at Chevrolet, Pontiac and Buick, he led studios that contributed to the designs of the mid-engine Corvette and the 1965 Corvair line, among many other production models. He led the 1972 and 1973 LeMans, GTO and Firebird programs, all 1973 and 1974 Buick programs and advanced Chevrolet products and advanced Cadillac projects such as the Eldorado. Hill and his team designed the forerunner to the 1978 Monte Carlo, new Camaro/Firebird designs, small car projects such as the Chevette, and the original concept vehicle for the Pontiac mid-engine Fiero project, which earned him the Industrial Design Society of America Award for Design Excellence in 1984.

EMCEES

Ed Justice Jr.

President and CEO, Justice Brothers, Inc. and co-host, Motor Trend Radio
Justice is a 40+year veteran in the automotive and racing fields. As the son of one of the famed Justice Brothers, he has spent his life around the legends of the industry and is an acknowledged expert and historian in the automotive field. Ed is a contributor to MSNBC and other media outlets and serves as the Master of Ceremonies for several automotive events throughout the United States. While this is the first time he’ll emcee part of the program at Car Classic, he has a longstanding relationship with the College, having served on the faculty of Art Center’s “Made in L.A.” series of classes previously offered through our Public Programs.

Dave Kunz
Automotive Reporter, KABC-TV Channel 7 Los Angeles
Covering the automotive beat for ABC television’s L.A. region, as well as for affiliates in the ABC network, Kunz brings viewers the latest news on everything from practical family sedans to exotic sports cars that only a privileged few will ever drive. Kunz is also regularly involved as an emcee at annual automotive events, including the Palos Verdes Concours d’Elegance, Newport Concours d’Elegance, and Art Center College of Design’s annual Car Classic, where he joins us again this year.

Barry J. Meguiar
President and CEO, Meguiar’s, Inc. and Host, Car Crazy Radio
Barry Meguiar was born and raised in Pasadena and is president and CEO of Meguiar’s, Inc. His “Car Crazy” gene became apparent while he was a high schooler, cruising the streets of Pasadena in his ’57 Chevy and hanging out at Blair’s Speed Shop. Back in the early 1930s, when Pasadena became a bedroom community for Hollywood and coachbuilding became part of the city’s early claim to fame, Meguiar’s grandfather was methodically crafting formulations for flawless automotive paint finishes. Thus the legacies of Pasadena and the Meguiar family became forever entwined. Today, Meguiar is best known as the host of Car Crazy TV on SPEED Channel, and for his Car Crazy radio program that airs in 130 markets nationwide. This year, Meguiar again serves as the emcee of our awards program.

JUDGES

Art Center is renowned for its leadership in the automotive industry and other modes of transportation design. Our alumni—influential designers and industry executives—continue to offer their time, talent and design expertise to our students.