Al Rosario and his 34 Vicky Chris Wilson’s ‘62 Nova
There are car shows and then there are Car Shows! You pay your money and you get your entry. Not at this show, calling Blackie and asking for an entry doesn't work. In order for you to be on the Fresno Convention Center show floor, you have to receive a personal invitation from Blackie Gejeian.
The 48th annual Fresno Autorama March 16th to March 18th 2007 was an invitation-only show, unique in the world of indoor car shows. The shows committee is made up of one, Blackie. He has chosen every car, motorcycle, bike and tractor that has ever appeared on the show floor since its inception, 48 years ago and once you’re shown, that car won’t be invited again!
Blackie, travels to car shows all across the nation, hundreds of them and picks only the cream-of-the-crop cars to showcase at his annual Autorama. Out of tens of thousands of cars, motorcycles, bikes and yes, even tractors he sees each year, Blackie selects about 150 to be in his event. Of course, just having your vehicle in Blackie’s show is a high honor, and it’s plain that our area has class cars, with 4 invited from the Monterey Bay area, 2 of them from our club, Al Rosario’s ‘34 Ford Vicky and Chris Wilson’s ‘62 Nova, and from Pacific Grove, Manuel Cardoza’s ‘49 Ford F 1 pickup.
March 15th was set-up day and Blackie placed every car, motorcycle, bike and, the tractor! He’s 81 and his health hasn’t been good this past year, but that didn’t stop him from running this show and everyone knew without-a-doubt whose show this was! Blackie’s friend and car customizer, George Barris and Chip Foose were there and signed autographs and gave out special awards.
Manuel Cardoza’s ‘49 Ford F 1 pickup Some of the Fresno Convention Center floor