The National Auto Body Council and NASCAR by NASCAR Hall of Fame member Jeff Gordon announced today the Best of Show winner in the NABC Rides for a Reason Virtual Car Show Presented by United Recyclers Group. Gordon, Axalta Global Ambassador and Vice Chairman of Hendrick Motorsports, selected Gary Unverzagt of Ellicott City, Maryland, for his beautifully restored 1939 406 Diamond T truck.
“Congratulations to Gary on winning the Best of Show award," Gordon said. "This truck is very rare, and Gary did an incredible job returning it to its glory. From the body work to the woodworking to the paint job, every detail is perfect. There were a number of incredible cars and trucks to choose from, but this stood out from the field.”
A retired firefighter who works on old cars and trucks as a hobby in his shop every day, Unverzagt has little experience in restoration, but has learned his skills with each project.
Unverzagt also won the Antique/ Vintage category, which was judged by Jeff Hammond, two-time NASCAR Cup champion crew chief, and NASCAR TV and radio analyst. The truck was a barn find in West Virginia, and Unverzagt said it was in pretty rough shape. It is a total frame-off restoration. A lot of missing parts were recreated in his shop. He rebuilt the motor, transmission, rear, brake system and the electrical system and did all the body work. The wooden body was designed and built by Unverzagt, with no prior woodworking experience.
The show is an innovative fundraising event that allowed car lovers across America to join NABC members, their company employees and auto enthusiasts to put their passion and pride on display. Proceeds support the National Auto Body Council mission of Changing and Saving Lives through initiatives like the NABC Recycled Rides program, NABC First Responder Emergency Extrication (F.R.E.E.) program and NABC Drive Out Distraction program. The NABC Rides for a Reason Virtual Car Show Presented by URG entries are all available in the Car Corral.
“Thank you to Jeff Gordon for sharing his knowledge and expertise to select the Best of Show winner this year,” said Bill Garoutte, president and CEO of the National Auto Body Council. “Thank you to everyone who entered their vehicles and supported the National Auto Body Council. Your passion and pride for all things automotive is what makes this such a dynamic, exciting industry.”
The sponsors of the NABC Rides for a Reason Virtual Car were URG, Axalta, All Star Auto Lights, Allstate, CARSTAR, Find Pigtails, Goodyear Brakes and Maaco.
