GSL-I (1979)    1932 Cadillac Roadster   by David Baird   Dave's Cadillac was a great first Best of Show winner in what would become the GSL Tradition of Excellence. This model featured a hammered aluminum body (using the Johan kit plastic body as a template), scratch built wire wheels, hand-cast tires with whitewall inserts, carefully polished acrylic enamel finish and full mechanical detailing. After nearly twenty years, this model has held up well – a tribute to its excellent craftsmanship and sturdy construction. This model displayed metal construction technology that would seldom be matched at any subsequent GSL Championship.

GSL-II (1981)  1972 Corvette   by Mark S. Gustavson   This Corvette was an interesting contrast to Baird's Cadillac. Rather than replicating a classic automobile, this custom featured aggressive original bodywork (including extensions to the front and rear panels) and an outrageous display of then-popular graphics and murals rendered in automotive pearl and candy lacquers. This model also featured flush-fit windshield and backlite, padded and dyed leather interior, a fantasy V-10 Chevy engine with port fuel injection, working front and rear suspension with working steering operated by the steering wheel, and dry transfer decaling. Though dated in design and decoration, the integrated styling on this custom ‘Vette distinguished it from a lot of other custom models; This was the first of only two original custom designs to have been awarded Best of Show. With a modern drivetrain and paint scheme, this model would fit in well with modern custom trends.

GSL-III (1982)   "Prospector" Van   by George Layton  This third GSL Best of Show winner helped establish the levels of risk-taking and detailed modeling that characterizes the Championship. George's van was sectioned and chopped, and featured the best mural work (depicting a well-designed Western motif) ever at a GSL contest; the lacquer paint work is magnificent. Additionally, George paid attention to other elements by crafting a fully-functioning suspension with an operating scale GM steering box, ball joints and adjustable tie rod ends. The engine detailing was masterful – as was the hand-stitched drag chute – and authentic. The windshield was fit flush and the bodywork was masterful. George took a big risk by entering this large-scale vehicle that required the exquisite detailing that this model delivered. It would not be until Randy Derr's Sunoco Camaro that anyone would again so successfully present the level of detail required by a large scale model.

 
 

GSL-IV (1983)   Indy Racer   by Dave Berry  By the fourth Championship, GSL was starting to attract high-caliber modeling from outside Utah (up to this point, all Best of Show winners came from builders living within 30 miles of one another). Dave's Indy Racer was a splendid example of scratchbuilding. When Dave placed this model on the table at GSL-IV, it was instantly clear that something important had changed in the modeling world. From its chrome-plated brass frame to the dozens of home-machined parts, this prototypical Indy competition model literally set a new benchmark for subsequent builders. This model bristled with details: its operational gas filler door, functional suspension and precise assembly resulted in the type of model that greatly contributed to the growing reputation of the Championship as the place for great builders to present their creations.

 
 

GSL-V (1984)   Barris Kopper Kart replica custom   by Bob Barnett  This Best of Show winner again carved out new territory at the Championship. Bob decided to restrict himself to one of the most rigid disciplines of all – the replication of a specific vehicle, this one a famous custom truck by Sam Barris. As he typically did, Bob started with an unlikely subject to present a Baroque, highly-detailed and convincing model. Bob's passion for authenticity and detail is legendary and well-exemplified by this model: from the scratch built television set to the intricate pin striping and artwork adorning the body, from the aggressively detailed six cylinder engine and drivetrain, this model started modelers to think about replicating not only factory vehicles but famous customs that are now part of the history of the American automobile. It is hard to overestimate the legacy of this model.

 

 
 

GSL-VI (1985)   1939 Chevy "Corvette"   by Rick Somerlot  By the time the sixth Championship came around, Rick's modest model – devoid of splashy graphics or a pedigree as a scale replica of a famous vehicle – pulled down the top award. This piece mated two seemingly disparate elements of Chevrolet history into a delightful, graceful and artistic model. Discarding the top and replacing it with a first-generation Corvette windshield frame was a flash of styling genius. Furthermore, the understated but a flawless metallic burgundy paint job invited the viewer to investigate the aggressive but unobtrusive mechanical detailing on this model. Rick's Best of Show winner redefined the parameters of a winning model at GSL by pointing out that subtlety and careful styling was as competitive as a flashy presentation.   No color photo was available of Rick's model.

 
 

GSL-VII (1986)  1936 Ford Station Wagon by Jairus Watson     For the second time in GSL history, a contender had decided to stray onto the risky field of replica stock construction. This model gained the attention of the viewers because it was an unusual subject matter splendidly presented as a miniature reproduction of a production vehicle. Jairus' sensitivity to scale detail can be seen in the painstaking use of real wood not only for stationary panels but for the operating side and rear access doors. The builder's painstaking replication of the original side windows, lightly-weathered undercarriage and authentic flathead engine detailing distinguished this model from other competitors. Jairus also decided to compete with a model painted in one of the muted 1936 Ford colors – when he might have selected a rich Ford maroon, dark green or black, Jairus opted to present his model in a popular vintage color. This model was pivotal in the history of the GSL Championship because it was the first of three woody wagons to win the top prize, and because the undercarriage was not presented in a factory-fresh state.

 
 

GSL-VIII (1987)   1941 Willys Pickup by John MacGowan  With the appearance of John's brightly-painted Willys pickup, another corner was turned at the Championship through John's ability to bring together in one model the significant trends created by earlier Best of Show winners – operational detailing, bright lacquer graphics, exquisite attention to scale detail, machined parts, and authentic mechanical detailing. This model just bristles with terrific work: custom bodywork over which candy and pearl colors were applied; complete plumbing for all hydraulic, electrical and fuel systems; dozens of scratch built parts including radiator, interior details and the steering column, engine parts such as a functional ball-crank operated throttle to the Weber carbs, a frame replete with operational suspension; two-tone handsewn fabric for the seat, and enough additional details to fill a small book. Best of all, surgically-clean craftsmanship distinguishes this tour de force.

 
 

GSL-IX (1988)  1932 Ford Woody Wagon by Fred Grumke  Fred's woody wagon is another example of the kind sophisticated, aggressive model building that has always characterized Championship Best of Show models.  Fred started from the ground up by scratchbuilding the frame, including motor mounts, brake pedal assembly, front leaf spring, brackets, battery box and gas tank.  Brake rotors were scratch built, as were the full detailing systems including all pluming and electrical components.  The engine compartment emphasizes realistic detail rather than a mere assembly of components: everywhere you look, the parts are authentic. The body was built from hand-cut basswood, with hidden brass hinges permitting the doors to operate realistically.  A careful balance of detail and presentation, this model influenced later modelers' efforts, and directly influenced and was the inspiration for the Best of Show winner for 1989.

   
 

GSL-X (1989)   1937 Ford Woody Wagon   by John MacGowan     By the Tenth GSL Championship, model building had advanced into territory that could not have been imagined even half a decade before. John's model best exemplifies this trend. For the first time in GSL history, machined parts played a significant role in a competing model. Inspired by a Bob Wick Scale Auto Enthusiast sketchpad illustration and Fred Grumke's woody wagon, John took model building into territory that characterized then-current street rod building. From its left- and right-hand machined wheels to dozens of scratch built and machined parts, from the Turbo Thunderbird engine to lacquered real wood for the bodywork, superlatives are almost inadequate in describing John's model. This model influenced later GSL entries by emphasizing the usefulness of scratchbuilding and machined parts. When all else was said, this model pushed forward the frontier of model building by championing a mixture of ultra-clean construction techniques and top drawer risk taking.

 
 

GSL-XI (1990)   Markley Bros. Bellytanker   by Steve Catron  Up to this point, top award contenders at GSL labored in well-known venues; from street rods to customs to replica stock, those topics were instantly recognized. Steve's entry was the first top GSL model to be a replica of a specific vehicle, and a famous one at that! Recognizing that there was no kit to base his entry upon, Steve's entry was the first mostly scratch built model to win Best of Show. Using a piece of desert wood for his base, Steve created an accurately-shaped buck and then vacuum-formed the body from styrene, and then fitted a flush clear canopy. Matched with an incredible array of authentic scratch built parts – all created to replicate the full scale pieces – Steve's near fanatical attention to detail (from the firewall mounted water pump to the replicated Halibrand wheels) distinguish this model. In addition to the world-class precision of this outstanding model, it's real contribution to the hobby may be the liberating effect it had on future contenders for the top GSL award: it proved that all subjects were fair game.

 
 

GSL-XII (1991)   1932 Ford Victoria   by Augie Hiscano  There was a sweet irony in this year's entry: In a contest aimed at encouraging a new generation of world-class modelers, one of the pioneers and past giants of our hobby picked the GSL Championship to mark his re-emergence into the hobby after a 27-year absence. Augie's entry, a stunning compilation of kit and handcrafted and nickel-plated brass and machined parts – set another new standard for the hobby. Everything other than the body was scratch built from metal, including the frame, engine (and all components), wheels, exhaust system, steering column, headlight bezels and suspension pieces. The flawless black lacquer finish, contrasting with the metal/plated parts, sets this model apart from lesser efforts. Important not only because of its builder, this model encouraged later contestants to venture onto the field of machined and scratch built brass parts assembled with jewelry-like construction techniques.

 
 

GSL-XIII (1992)   Sunoco Camaro   by Randy Derr  Randy's model struck out on fresh territory by presenting ultra-detailing in a large scale of the entry. Larger models require great attention to the detail, and Randy was up to the task. From the laser-engraved tire tread pattern taken from a computer image to the scratch built Minilite wheels, the metal front and rear suspension components and the exhaustive mechanical details accurately replicating the Sunoco Camaro as it was run during the 1969 SCCA Trans-Am season, even several hours of careful observation would not reveal all that Randy did to create this spectacular and large replica! The aggressive uses of alternative building techniques – often making good use of new technologies -- make this model an important benchmark in our hobby. Influenced by prior GSL Best of Show models, but transcending them by the kind of insight unique to great modelers, Randy's effort set new standards for competitors everywhere.

 
 

GSL-XIV (1993)  Honda RS 1000   by Russ Schwenkler  With Russ' Best of Show winning model, new territory was explored in the GSL Championship once again. Not only was this another large scale (1/12) model, but it was a motorcycle! Commencing with exhaustive research, followed by page after page of CAD-generated computer images created by Russ from which Cody Grayland fashioned 150 major machined parts, in addition to hundreds of photo etched rivets, this model set a new standard for mechanical detailing that had not been seen previously at a GSL Championship. Though not a scale vehicle in the traditional sense of model car contests, Russ caught the vision of the exploration and risk-taking that has always characterized winning GSL entrants. This model sparked a debate about outsourcing parts that was finally resolved when it became clear that, in the final analysis, it was the craftsmanship and assembly techniques of the builder that distinguished one model from another. That contribution, as well as the breathtaking details that could literally occupy an observer for hours, makes this model epochal in every sense.

 
 

GSL-XV (1994)   1957 Ford Thunderbird   by Larry Boothe   For the first time in eight years, a GSL contestant pulled out all the stops when constructing a factory stock automobile. Replicating a specific vehicle, Larry successfully took on tasks that had not been attempted before. Starting with cast bronze windshield frame and bumpers (later nickel-plated), this model neatly sidestepped many of the problems of compromised scale realism that have hampered other efforts. Details abound: from the engine-turned dash fascia (40 parts comprised the dash alone) to the realistic photo-reduced Ford Burtex trunk mat, from the hammered nickel wire used to make the skirt trim to the exhaustively detailed Ford Y-block, the range of details in this miniature defies a causal survey. In fact, this model may well have displayed the best, most precise engine compartment seen to date at a GSL Championship. By striking out on fresh territory and doing everything in an exemplary way, Larry's entry was immortalized by its excellence and craftsmanship.

 
 

GSL-XVI   1933 Ford Roadster   by Augie Hiscano  Aiming his next entry for the return of GSL in the Reunion, Augie spent nearly two years refining his already well-developed modeling talents to produce this magnificent 1933 Ford roadster. Piercing together a wild array of hand-cast, hammered and machined parts, Augie's latest contest champion neatly summarizes the history of GSL to date: aggressive bodywork, superb paint, dozens of machined parts, realistic and exhaustive detail, and a commitment to taking chances and mating it all together with impeccable craftsmanship. Little more could be done here, after all: starting with the machined functioning Jag rear suspension with inboard disc brakes to the Coddington-style front suspension A arms, this model set a new benchmark for competitive builders everywhere. Built by a modeler whose work spans more than 30 years of the history of our hobby, Augie's model will influence future entrants by making it clear that almost anything can, and has, been done to construct a great model.

  
 

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