Greg Sharp

Tom Kosulandich's 1955 Ford Thunderbird of San Pedro, California. Built with the help of his brother Mike and Greg Sharp, the Thunderbird underwent extensive customization under the skilled hands of Bill Ortega, Bill Hines, Eddie Martinez and Joe Perez. Featuring a Candy Red paint job by Hines and a custom interior by Martinez, the car debuted in its full glory at the 1963 Tridents Rod Custom Autorama, winning the Sports Car Sweepstakes. This early iteration of Mike's Thunderbird became a standout icon in the Southern California custom car scene and was later featured in Rod & Custom magazine May 1964.

Born in San Pedro, California, Greg Sharp is a lifelong hot rodder, a leading historian in the sport, and the curator of the NHRA Motorsports Museum. His deep-seated passion for drag racing began in his teens, leading NHRA Founder Wally Parks to appoint him as the NHRA Director of Historical Services in 1995. In this role, Sharp played a pivotal part in creating the Wally Parks/NHRA Motorsports Museum, where he was named Curator upon its opening in 1998.

Early Life and Passion for Hot Rods

Sharp's fascination with hot rods started in grade school, where he would draw cars on every available surface. His first car, a customized 1956 Buick Special, was purple with a white top and featured numerous modifications, igniting his lifelong passion for custom cars.

The Iconic '29 Model A Ford Roadster Pickup

In 1969, Sharp acquired a ’29 Model A Ford roadster pickup from Bay Area Roadsters member Dave Marasco, a vehicle he cherished for over 40 years. The black lacquered machine, built by Marasco in 1962 and pinstriped by Andy Southard, graced the covers of notable publications such as Rod and Custom April 1963 and Street Rodder September 1972. Sharp's roadster won Best Altered Roadster Pickup at the 1971 Grand National Roadster Show, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

Involvement with the LA Roadsters and Writing Career

Sharp's desire to join the LA Roadsters club led him to purchase the Marasco truck. Despite his career as a Los Angeles police officer, a role he retired from in 1995 after 28 years, he never let his professional life hinder his passion for hot rodding. His involvement with the LA Roadsters extended to organizing their annual Father's Day show and contributing to the event's program.

Greg's writing talent caught the attention of Rod and Custom's Bud Bryan and Street Rodder's Tex Smith, leading to his first guest editorial in the June 1972 issue of Street Rodder. This marked the beginning of his prolific writing career, with articles published in all major hot rod magazines. His most recent works, focusing on historical aspects, appear in The Rodder's Journal.

Awards and Recognition

Sharp's contributions to the hot-rodding community have been widely recognized. He received the Founder's Award from the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 2010, the Dean Bachelor Award for excellence in automotive journalism in 2012, and was inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame in 2018. He is also a member of the Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame and the Dry Lakes Racing Hall of Fame. Additionally, Sharp is credited with coining the term “cacklefest,” a testament to his influence on the sport's lexicon.

Legacy and Current Endeavors

Renowned for his colorful prose, meticulous historical accuracy, and an uncanny ability to recall details, Sharp continues to produce archival-quality writings. His lifetime of experience enriches the American Hot Rod Foundation, where he serves as an advisory board member. Greg Sharp's enduring legacy in the hot rodding and drag racing communities cements his status as a revered historian and passionate advocate for the sport.