A DREAM COMES TRUE:
THE NATIONAL ROD & CUSTOM CAR HALL OF FAME !
IN 1995 A LIFELONG DREAM CAME TRUE, not only for DARRYL STARBIRD, but for Rod & Custom enthusiasts WorldWide when The National Rod & Custom Car Hall Of Fame & Museum opened.
It was Darryl's concept and idea to build a Museum & Hall Of Fame to showcase his life's work of Internationally-known vehicles that he had produced, and to honor the work and craftsmanship of his contemporaries.
A partial list of honorees includes: Gene Winfield, George Barris, Joe Bailon, Mike & Larry Alexander, Boyd Coddington, Ken "Posie" Fenical, Ed Roth, Elden & Jerry Titus, Dick Dean, Jim Jacobs, Neil Emory, Roy Brizio, Dean Jefferies, Bill Hines, Manuel Arteche'...the list continues on-and-on, and all have their own "wall" and/or vehicles displayed in this beautiful Museum.
The Museum is located on 80 acres on the shores of the Grand Lake in Afton, Oklahoma, 60 miles North East of Tulsa, and about 30-35 miles from Joplin, Missouri, and has become a designated destination for travelers not only from the U.S.A. but from all-over the World !
Visitors have come from England, Germany, Japan, Switzerland, Canada, British Columbia...well, you get the point ! The National Rod & Custom Car Hall Of Fame/Museum not only brings the crowds in, but once inside, it amazes all who enter ! With over 40,000 sq. ft. of space, and over 50 vehicles on display, this is one of the most fantastic journeys into the realm of Rods & Customs you will ever make !!
Cars that you've read about and seen in magazines, legendary pioneers of the industry that you've heard about for years, all "come to life" once you enter the portals and cross through the doorway of this unique one-of-a-kind Museum which showcases their lives and their works.
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IN THIS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW, recorded at Darryl's home (located on the HOF property), Darryl talked with me about how the "dream" grew into a reality and a lasting tribute to all that are enshrined there.
When you plan your vacation, a "Road Trip", or, a Weekend Getaway, make sure stopping by the Museum is a special part of that trip and see for yourself the fantastic cars, photos, memorabilia, and histories of these true "HALL OF FAME LEGENDS" !
AND, if you go, please mention that you heard about it, and read about it, right here on the Hall Of Fame Legends Series. Many thanks, JK.
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(Top of page left: Dick Huckins Candy Purple, chopped Buick on the HOF Showgrounds with the Grand Lake in the background; Top of page right: a group of Darryl's vehicles gathered on the Museum property )
(Above left: a replica of Darryl's original shop; Above right: a center-of-the-museum display of Darryl's personal cars featuring "The Predicta")
(Above left: a section of HOF walls/displays; Above right: Manuel Arteche's personally built '61 Invicta owned by Jonnie King )
(Above left: Sam Barris' personal '50 Buick Custom owned by Kurt McCormick; Above right: another view of Darryl's displayed vehicles)
(Above left: the entrance/approach to the Hall Of Fame Museum; Above right: the life-size "Big T" that was one of the most popular model kits of all-time !)
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FOR COMPLETE INFO AND DIRECTIONS to the National Rod & Custom Hall Of Fame/Museum, go to Darryl's Website: http://www.darrylstarbird.com/
