By Ron Will (John Jabobus reviews the event at the end of the post)

It doesn’t seem like it was over 50 years ago. For many it was over 60 years ago. This was a reunion of the builders of model cars for the Fisher Body Craftsman’s Guild. Back in the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s thousands of teenage boys would come home from school and head off into the basement, garage, or even kitchen tables to spend hundreds of hours focused on designing and building from scratch a 1/12 scale model car of their own design. Some were carved from balsa or poplar wood. Some were cast in plaster from clay models. But every model was aimed at winning the prestigious Fisher Body Craftsman’s Guild sponsored by GM. It often took the best part of a year to complete these models, in what was the largest youth contest of its time (along with the Soap Box Derby).

The contest started in 1930 when GM was looking for tool and die makers for their rapidly expanding car production. They chose the Fisher Body symbol of the Napoleonic Coach for the young men to duplicate as a scale model, requiring working windows, doors, fold out steps and full plush interiors. Any young boy with the skills to complete one of these elaborate coaches would be a good candidate for a tool and die job. This continued till 1937 when the famed GM Styling chief designer, Harley Earl, added automotive design to the contest. WWII stopped the contest till it was resumed in 1945. Shortly thereafter the Coach part of the contest was dropped in favor of only car models.

This proved to be a fertile field for GM to find fresh, new car design talent. Dozens and dozens of winners of the contest were fast tracked with lucrative scholarships to design schools and then into the secretive design studios of GM and other car companies. This was the dream contest for many teenagers who were looking for their dream job as car designer. Even if the young contestants did not go into car design, the scholarships paid the way for many who became architects, product designers, and even NASA project leaders.

The contest was not easy. To compete at the top levels, teenagers had to create bumpers, window trim, grills and hub caps out of polished aluminum or chrome plated brass. Clear plastic rod was cut and shaped into headlights. Even old red tooth brush handles were salvaged to become miniature tail lights. Although it was not required, many made full interiors and formed wrap around windows out of heated Plexiglas sheets in their mother’s oven. The hardest and most critical part that separated the winners from the losers was the paint job. It had to match the finest hand rubbed, flawless paint jobs coming out of any custom shop. To achieve these levels of craftsmanship, it took years of making model after model and checking your previous years score sheet to see where you could improve your score. Very few ever made it to the top on their first try. The contest was divided into Junior and Senior age divisions with equal prizes in each division to make it fair.

Original and stunning designs were also essential to gain the maximum points from the real GM car designers doing the judging. Just the right balance between futuristic and practical design was needed to appeal to the judges.

For the Guildsmen attending the October 2016 reunion, it was a real treat to see the largest number of top National and Regional winners ever assembled. Many of them were the teenagers who completed their career dreams as car designers. Eighty-eight models showed up, most looking as if they had been created just yesterday. Several were carefully restored to their original glory by their now 70-year-old builders who gave them the same care and pride as when they were teens.

The Art Center College of Design, in the hills above Pasadena, was the perfect venue for the Guild model display. This is the premier auto design school where many of the Guildsmen trained before going on to successful design careers. The Guild show was combined with the annual Art Center Car Classic show. The theme of this year’s show was “hand built,” a perfect theme for these 88 hand built designs. For those who attended, it was a once in a lifetime event that would be hard to repeat.

Photos by Ron Will

Photos by Terry Graboski

Pasadena Trip Report, 2016 Fisher-Guild Reunion

by John L. Jacobus

Over 88 Guild models were exhibited for private and public view, Saturday and Sunday October 22 & 23 and over 100 Guildsmen, and their guests, attended the two-day event in Pasadena.  The models were mostly national scholarship winners from 1948 to 1968 and some were called “survivors” being over 60 years old.  There was a horse-shoe shape of models around the perimeter of the ACCD student cafeteria for a private show and dinner Saturday evening Oct 22 and a public exhibition held Sunday Oct 23 in conjunction with the Art Center “Car Classic 2016” (the annual outdoor/campus car show of eclectic antiques, customs, hot rods and classics) right near the Rose Bowl.

There was a line-up of after-dinner speakers, most of whom were Guild national scholarship winners : David C. Goelz (1967N), Craig Hodgetts (1955S), Dr. Michael E. Barricks (1956N), Adrian A. “Tony” Bruno (1955N), Newell G. Bringhurst (1960N), Geza Loczi (1965N), Kenneth J. Dowd (1957-59 K), Richard R. Sylvester (1956N, 1957N), Anthony V. “Tony” Simone (1961N), Ronald Pellman (1960N) and Stewart Reed (1964R, 1968N).  [Key Code: N = National Scholarship award; S= Styling Scholarship award; R= Regional award and K=State award.]

I met many VIPs from the Guild and auto design world like Art Russell (1957N), Bob Davids (1963N), Jim Powers, John Francis Marsh, Chuck Pelly (1954N), Stewart Reed (1964R, 1968N)and Bruce Meyer.

The Art Center College of Design (formerly the Art Center School until 1967) has always been a mecca for aspiring young auto designers. This is where young people receive professional training to succeed as industrial designers working for the auto manufacturers (among many other design disciplines).  The Fisher-Guild as envisioned by Harley J. Earl, and GM Styling, was to be a talent search and recruiting program to help identify, early-on, teenagers (12-19) who could successfully express themselves artistically/aesthetically and potentially succeed as auto designers.  Then, the idea was to provide scholarships so their innate skills and abilities could nurtured.

If you entered the Guild you learned about this premier, world-famous design school – called Art Center School – which trained young aspiring auto designers. If you entered the Guild competition, your model designs and awards would help fill-out your application portfolio and if you attended ACS, for even one single semester like me, you learned first-class, professional model building techniques. These tools and techniques potentially translated in to further success in the Guild – maybe a national scholarship. Naturally, you needed that scholarship to help pay the tuition and attend the Art Center.  Not surprisingly, the Art Center students captured their fair share of national scholarship awards offered by the Fisher-Guild.

There were two levels of natural synergy at work :

Level 1. (1) the love of automobiles and auto design, (2) Art Center graduates return to campus, (3) the place Guildsmen honed their design skill and abilities, (4) Stewart Reed, recipient of the 2016 Eyes on Design Life Time Achievement Award for Design (6/16), and (5) Charles W. Pelly the recipient of the 2004 Eyes on Design Life Time Achievement for Design – all together at this world famous design school and campus. Truly, an historic event.

Level 2. ACCD chauffeured us to the Peterson Automotive Museum in LA, pampered us at West Hollywood luncheon and a personal tour of the Bruce Meyer Collection by the man himself – Bruce Meyer. We photographed many exotic cars on display at the magnificent “2016 Car Classic” held on campus Sunday October 23, 2016 and filled our cameras with Guild model images and Guildsmen.  And, last but not least, reviewed the breath taking display of student art projects shown in the ACCD lobby. A complete library of the latest thought in aesthetics and design.  Absolutely incredible to see and experience.

The reunion was shear heaven on earth—CARS, CARS, CARS, DESIGN, DESIGN, DESIGN ! WE LOVED IT !!

THIS WAS NOT THE LAST REUNION!  A Guild Model exhibition is already set-up for September 2017 at the Dayton Concours d’Elegance. See you in Dayton !

John L. Jacobus, SAH #2220

19 Comments
  1. Tony Miller

    Thanks for including such a large number of photos. A real treat!

  2. Many thanks Gary for featuring the event, and to Ron, John, and Terry for their words and pictures. What struck me were the number of designers with whom I had the pleasure of working, who were former FBCG winners. Especially enjoyed seeing the pictures of the proud designers standing behind their masterpieces. Truly A Guild of Champions. Looking forward to the next reunion.

  3. Norm James

    My congratulations to the Guild Members completing and entering their models into competition. I say this, having started two models (wood ’45 and clay ’47) but never finished them. I would have enjoyed joining you all~

  4. Jeff Jones

    A LOT of new exhibitors from previous reunions. So sad I couldn’t attend this one but really excited about the turnout of new cars. Can’t wait ’til more pictures are published. I will really try to make it to the September 2017 reunion.

  5. john m. mellberg

    Dear Gary, John, Ron and fellow Guildsmen,
    Wow, seems appropriate for my first words after reading/viewing the great text and photos of your recent Fisher Body Craftsman’s Guild Reunion. It’s with great regret that I was unable to participate at this noble event. With each subsequent Guild Reunion, more Guildsmen and their models are coming forth to be accounted for, admired and applauded. Congratulations, on this ‘Show of Shows!’

    John

    John M. Mellberg
    1966 FBCG 2nd National, Sr.

  6. Edward Matula

    It was a real honor and thrill to finely be able to attend the Fisher Body Craftsman Guild event at The Art Center College of Design in Pasadena this year. Although my 1959 entry was not a national award winner, it was really interesting to have my model displayed with the other models, many that were the best of the best entries over the years. I hope to attend this event again in the future.

  7. This reunion was a wonderful weekend of nothing but cars and design. My brother and I, as architects extended the design time another couple days touring Craftman style homes in the Pasadena area, home to the Gamble home and Greene brothers architecture. Looking forward to Dayton. We would like to sincerely thank all those involved for putting on such a great weekend.

  8. Andrew Danish

    Many thanks for photographing these inspirational models. So far ahead of their time!

  9. Paul Bonfilio

    Dear John, Ron, and Gary, congratulations on such a great exhibit and turn out. So refreshing to see so many new submissions not seen at prior guild reunions! I thought I could make this reunion but circumstances would not allow me. I look forward to Ohio. Hopefully will see you then, once again, great job.

  10. George Herzog

    The Art Center College of Design 2016 Fisher Body Craftsman’s Guild Reunion was a great event. Being able to renew associations from prior reunions and to meet new “alumni” who share a common bond from years gone by is a real treat. As someone who did not go into automotive styling, but nevertheless has held a lifelong interest in design, these events have added a rewarding dimension to my life. Many thanks to Jay Sanders, Terry Graboski, “Honorary Chairman” John Jacobus and others who put this event together, Ron Will, Terry and John for the wonderful wrap-up essays and photography, Dean’s Garage for the coverage and John again for the inspiration and perspiration that started this whole process with his books. As a resident neighbor to the host city of the Dayton Concours d’Elegance I look forward to seeing many familiar and new faces at next year’s reunion. I’m biased, but I can’t help bragging about the splendid 2017 venue at Carillon Park with it’s portrayal of history of the Wright Brothers and other innovators, as well as the National Museum of the Air Force, the Packard Museum, and many other aviation related attractions. If you plan to attend be forewarned to check on scheduling for the Air Force Marathon and book lodging early if there is a conflict similar to what this year’s FBCG Concours participants experienced.

    George Herzog (Virginia Regional ‘57, ’58, ’59)
    Beavercreek OH

  11. Thank you for the coverage of the reunion. I got the same excitement from seeing it as I did when I first read about the contest in 1962. I designed what I thought was my best concept and carved it out of laminated popular and completed the body but I did not have access to the tools to make the wheels and other important items. I still have the car, which resembled a cross between an asymmetrical AMC Javelin and the 1968 Corvette, and now I am inspired to dig it out and finish it. I wish that I had kept all of the original paperwork and correspondence from FBCG to go with it.

  12. allan j duarte

    Thanks for sharing. I followed this since my childhood. I am now 65.Auto designing was my own little world. With no one to share this talent with or relate to it with while young. It was a dream to me to be where you are. All I have is many drawings from the ’70s that resemble what we drive now. Keeping this art alive is wonderful.
    thanks Allan Duarte

  13. This is the most complete and long-overdue presentation of this historic car contest I’ve ever seen. It is beyond impressive — particularly if you believe that cars and car design are the perfect melding of art and science. So congrats to all the entries and winners, and the artistry and craftsmanship skills evident in these breathtaking inspirations.

  14. Eric Moore

    Hi. My father William A. Moore won the 1956 National scholarship and I was wondering if anybody knows if there’s any museum out there for these cars.

    There are ongoing discussions about a permanent home for FBCG models, but nothing yet.—Dean’s Garage

  15. Lee Stock

    I just learned of the 2 books which I purchased. My father had info on the 1956 year but did enter the 1958 year. I have all the papers and his pictures from 1958 as well as the car. He passed in 2012 but id love to share the car and his papers with you all. I have thought about making a real car of his design. I’m in Wisconsin.

  16. Eric Moore, 3-16-18 Yes, I met your father William A. Moore and Art Russell in Detroit (2004 reunion) and saw Bill’s fabulous 1956 model. Venues seeking Guild models for permanent collections: Antique Automobile Club of America, Research Ctr., Hershey PA, (Chris Ritter), Piston Palace Auto Museum in Warwick RI (Jeff Goldstein), International Model Builder’s Museum in Sandy UT (Mark S, Gustavson), Nat’l Route 66 Museum, Elk City, OK (Randy Haggard), Nat’ Corvette Museum in Bowling Green KY (Derek Moore), and Gilmore Car Museum on Hickory Corners, MI (Chris Shires). CONTACT: Tony Simone, Guild Legacy Exhibit Coordinator. I have Tony’s contact data. John L. Jacobus

  17. John Parrillo

    Wow!
    I just discovered this site as I haven’t had any contact with the Guild or its activities over the years. My efforts were limited to three first state awards in 1954, ’55 and ’56. Now at 78, I was thinking about making a model again, but wonder where i could get those nice rubber tires that GM provided. I’d like to stay in touch and maybe attend a reunion.

  18. Howard Pelcman

    My name is Howard Pelcman. I am 68. I was one of the design award winners in 1968. I took 3rd place in NJ and then one of the 10 design excellence awards. It is amazing to see some of the cars that inspired me to enter. I still have it.

  19. What fun to see more! I won third state in Colorado in 1959 and 1960 with higher than average design scores and lower craftsmanship scores. I spent too much time designing and didn’t have enough time to build well enough. My 1959 entry came back with bits of the packing newspapers still attached to the paint I thought was dry. The design development from the contest serves me well every day even though I went into art instead of car design. Please keep sharing, it is a great brotherhood!

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