PPG Automotive Refinish awarded the 2008 PPG Hot Wheels(r) Spectraflame(r) PAINT YOUR RIDE Contest trophy November 5, at the annual SEMA show in Las Vegas. Accepting the award were Jim and Melinda Cooper of Laguna Hills, California, co-owners of the winning entry, a 1956 Chevrolet Handyman 2-door station wagon. The award ceremony took place at the PPG exhibit booth with Larry Wood, Mattel, Inc. Hot Wheels(r) chief designer presenting the trophy.
Contest entrants created original paint schemes for their vehicles using the eye-catching Hot Wheels(r) Spectraflame(r) colors available in PPG's Vibrance Collection(r) of automotive coatings. The Coopers' car featured a striking finish of Hot Wheels(r) Spectraflame(r) Medium Sapphire with dramatic contrasting silver flames. It was selected from a field of 12 highly-competitive finalists that included entries from custom painters, car builders and hot rod enthusiasts.
"All the entries were truly spectacular, so it is a real honor to be named the winner," said Jim Cooper. The Coopers received a trophy case with an exclusive Hot Wheels(r) 1/18" scale model version of the winning paint scheme. The scheme will be reproduced on a future production Hot Wheels(r) toy car Mattel, Inc. will introduce in 2009. The car, which was on display at SEMA and featured in a recent PPG Repaint Reporter magazine article, will also be highlighted in full color along with the other finalists in a 2009 PPG calendar.
PAINT YOUR RIDE Contest entries were reviewed by a panel of judges well-known in custom car circles, including Wood, Dave Perewitz of Perewitz Cycle Fabrication, Paul Stoll, PPG's custom painting trainer, Brian Brennan of Street Rodder, and Ed Capen of Goodguys Rod & Custom Association. The announcement of the winner was originally made by PPG at the 11th Annual Goodguys PPG Nationals in Columbus, Ohio this past July. Wood acknowledged how hard it was to select just one winner, "We were so impressed with all the finalist cars. It was a very difficult decision. . . . but in the end we all agreed on the Chevy Wagon. It had everything - awesome paint, cool graphics, and a great overall look."
The winning vehicle and all the 2008 PPG Hot Wheels(r) Spectraflame(r) PAINT YOUR RIDE contest finalists may be viewed at www.ppgrefinish.com.
For more information about the PPG PAINT YOUR RIDE contest or the PPG Vibrance Collection, call 440/572-2800 or visit the PPG Automotive Refinish website at www.ppgrefinish.com.