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The "Cruisin' Hall of FameŽ" was established in 1995 by the San Bernardino Convention & Visitors Bureau, in conjunction with the City of San Bernardino, to honor those who have made a significant contribution to the uniquely-American automotive cultural phenomenon of cruising.

A landmark area called the "Route 66 Plaza" was created just outside City Hall as a backdrop for the "Cruisin' Hall of FameŽ." A specially designed wall, with a map of "America's Main Street," serves as the actual monument. Every year, a plaque is added to identify new members of the "Cruisin' Hall of FameŽ"

The nominee must fit into one of the following categories: legendary builder and/or designer, an automotive manufacturer or specific vehicle, an entertainer a member of the media or historic. 

This Year's Inductees
2006 Gene Winfield So-Cal Speed Shop Kenny Youngblood Teardrop Trailer
Past Year's Inductees
 (Click on the year or the Inductee to view their accomplishments)
2006 Gene Winfield So-Cal Speed Shop Kenny Youngblood Teardrop Trailer
2005 Doug's Headers Chevy Small Block Engine Michael Wallis Calif. Highway Patrol
2004 EGGE Machine Company 1932 Hot Rod Hemmings Motor News KMEN 129 AM Radio
2003 Parnelli Jones Firestone Route 66 Magazine SEMA
2002 Andy Granatelli Isky Cams Street Rodder Bob's Big Boy
2001 Dean Jeffries Edelbrock Corp. "route 66" TV Series Auto Club of Southern Cal.
2000 Mattel "Hot Wheels" The Woody The Beach Boys J.C. Agajanian Family
1999 "Big Daddy" Don Garlits The Pontiac GTO Jan & Dean Motor Trend Mag.
1998 "Mr. Norm" Norm Kraus The Ford F-Series American Graffiti Movie In-N-Out Burger
1997 Carroll Shelby The Camaro Hot Rod Magazine Les Richter
1996 George Barris The Corvette National Hot Rod Assoc. McDonald's Corp.
1995 Boyd Coddington Chevrolet Motor Div. Bobby Troup "Big Daddy" Ed Roth

From entertainment to community involvement, the “Lifetime Achievement Award” serves to recognize the sacrifices made in order to fulfill one’s dreams.  This year marks the fifth year the award has been given.  Past honorees include, Dick Dale “King of the Surf Guitar” in 2001, Jack Brown, President & CEO of Stater Bros. Markets in 2002, C.W. "Scotty" Scott, owner of Scotty's Muffler in 2003, Paul Petersen in 2004, Barry Meguiar, President & CEO of Meguiar's Inc. in 2005 and Wally and Barbara Parks for the establishment of the National Hot Rod Association in 2007. Click here for more information on the honorees.

2007 LIFETIME ACHIEVMENT HONOREES,
WALLY AND BARBARA PARKS

Wally Parks established the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) in the early ‘50s. The NHRA proved to be an effective means of getting rodders off the streets and into arenas where the environment was controlled and safety issues and training could be addressed.

Almost from the beginning, local car clubs from coast to coast were invited to join the NHRA and to actively participate by holding organized speed events in their hometowns. Hot-rodding and customizing cars were not popular activities during this time - especially among law enforcement agencies and city fathers. Parks met with these groups to address any safety issues that they might have and to explain the purpose of the NHRA.

Members of the NHRA, chosen by Parks, traveled cross-country in what first became known as the Drag Safari and then the Safety Safari. A ’54 Dodge station wagon towed a Viking trailer with all the equipment needed to put together a drag race event. Parks, as editor of Hot Rod Magazine, wisely used the pages of that young magazine to get the word out about the NHRA.

Through it all, Parks’ wife, Barbara, was there to support her husband and do her part in making the NHRA successful. As a testament to his dedication to motorsports, the National Hot Rod Museum in Pomona, CA, bears his name.

Cruisin' Hall of Fame Nomination Form 2008

 

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