Larry Chen Triumphs in RADwood Build Challenge, Secures $50,000 for RPM Foundation
This past weekend, the automotive community was abuzz with excitement as renowned photographer and builder Larry Chen clinched victory in Hagerty's RADwood Build Challenge. His stunning 1996 Honda Accord Si-R not only showcased his exceptional craftsmanship but also delivered a significant $50,000 award to the RPM Foundation—an organization devoted to fostering the next generation of automotive restoration experts.
The RADwood Build Challenge brought together three highly skilled automotive builders, each assigned to transform a vehicle from the iconic 1980s or 1990s, all while supporting a nonprofit organization of their choosing. The competition culminated in a public event at RADwood NorCal, held at Gold Bar Hangar in Alameda, California, on October 24. During the event, attendees participated by voting for their favorite builds, making the crowd’s choice of Chen's Honda Accord a testament to its popularity.
Larry's victory has profound implications beyond the financial reward. The $50,000 prize won for RPM Foundation will be instrumental in fulfilling its mission of preserving restoration skills and celebrating automotive heritage. This win emphasizes the importance of trained craftspeople, ensuring that future generations are equipped to maintain and restore their beloved classic vehicles.
Nick Ellis, the Executive Director of RPM Foundation, expressed gratitude, stating, “Being selected by Larry as the charity recipient for his winning build is an incredible honor. RADwood-era cars are the classics of tomorrow, and it’s encouraging to witness their recognition in events like NorCal.” The partnership between Chen and RPM Foundation highlights the need for ongoing support in restoring not just vehicles, but the skills essential for their care.
Throughout the duration of the RADwood Build Challenge, Chen actively documented his restoration process online, thus using his extensive platform to raise awareness of not only his creatively modified vehicle but also the essential skills needed in the automotive industry. By doing so, he aimed to advocate for investing in the future generation of automotive craftsmen and women, pivotal in safeguarding vehicular history.
RPM Foundation’s Program Officer, Abigayle Morgan, attended the event to represent the Foundation, connect with attendees, and graciously accept the substantial award that would further their mission. As vehicles from the '80s and '90s increasingly capture the interest of collectors, there is an ever-growing necessity for skilled restoration professionals, a gap that RPM Foundation aims to fill through various initiatives including mentorship and apprenticeship programs.
The funding will be utilized to create career pathways for emerging craftspeople, preserving specialized knowledge in vehicle restoration while reinforcing the collective appreciation for automotive culture across generations. By investing in today’s budding talents, RPM Foundation ensures that the lineage and craftsmanship of classic cars remain intact, enabling these vehicles from yesteryears to remain on the roads for decades to come.
As the dust settles on this thrilling competition, RPM Foundation extends heartfelt congratulations to Larry Chen, the organizers of the RADwood Build Challenge, and the enthusiastic automotive community that rallied behind this initiative. Their combined efforts not only spotlight the importance of vehicle restoration but also illuminate the path forward for a promising future in restoring automotive heritage. For more high-resolution images and updates, you can visit RPM Foundation’s resource gallery.
In conclusion, this event wasn’t merely a competition; it was a celebration of creativity, a shared passion for automobiles, and a commitment to nurturing the skills necessary to sustain that passion for the future.
The RADwood Build Challenge brought together three highly skilled automotive builders, each assigned to transform a vehicle from the iconic 1980s or 1990s, all while supporting a nonprofit organization of their choosing. The competition culminated in a public event at RADwood NorCal, held at Gold Bar Hangar in Alameda, California, on October 24. During the event, attendees participated by voting for their favorite builds, making the crowd’s choice of Chen's Honda Accord a testament to its popularity.
Larry's victory has profound implications beyond the financial reward. The $50,000 prize won for RPM Foundation will be instrumental in fulfilling its mission of preserving restoration skills and celebrating automotive heritage. This win emphasizes the importance of trained craftspeople, ensuring that future generations are equipped to maintain and restore their beloved classic vehicles.
Nick Ellis, the Executive Director of RPM Foundation, expressed gratitude, stating, “Being selected by Larry as the charity recipient for his winning build is an incredible honor. RADwood-era cars are the classics of tomorrow, and it’s encouraging to witness their recognition in events like NorCal.” The partnership between Chen and RPM Foundation highlights the need for ongoing support in restoring not just vehicles, but the skills essential for their care.
Throughout the duration of the RADwood Build Challenge, Chen actively documented his restoration process online, thus using his extensive platform to raise awareness of not only his creatively modified vehicle but also the essential skills needed in the automotive industry. By doing so, he aimed to advocate for investing in the future generation of automotive craftsmen and women, pivotal in safeguarding vehicular history.
RPM Foundation’s Program Officer, Abigayle Morgan, attended the event to represent the Foundation, connect with attendees, and graciously accept the substantial award that would further their mission. As vehicles from the '80s and '90s increasingly capture the interest of collectors, there is an ever-growing necessity for skilled restoration professionals, a gap that RPM Foundation aims to fill through various initiatives including mentorship and apprenticeship programs.
The funding will be utilized to create career pathways for emerging craftspeople, preserving specialized knowledge in vehicle restoration while reinforcing the collective appreciation for automotive culture across generations. By investing in today’s budding talents, RPM Foundation ensures that the lineage and craftsmanship of classic cars remain intact, enabling these vehicles from yesteryears to remain on the roads for decades to come.
As the dust settles on this thrilling competition, RPM Foundation extends heartfelt congratulations to Larry Chen, the organizers of the RADwood Build Challenge, and the enthusiastic automotive community that rallied behind this initiative. Their combined efforts not only spotlight the importance of vehicle restoration but also illuminate the path forward for a promising future in restoring automotive heritage. For more high-resolution images and updates, you can visit RPM Foundation’s resource gallery.
In conclusion, this event wasn’t merely a competition; it was a celebration of creativity, a shared passion for automobiles, and a commitment to nurturing the skills necessary to sustain that passion for the future.
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