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HAROLD BAGDASARIAN, 91, FOUNDED SACRAMENTO AUTORAMA
Sacramento Bee, CA
Oct 27 2014
By Robert D. Davila
Harold A. Bagdasarian, a Sacramento entrepreneur, impresario and car
buff who founded one of the premier shows for custom-made vehicles
in the country, died Oct. 16 at 91.
Mr. Bagdasarian, who started in the cab business, was a showman with
an enduring passion for automobiles. As president of the the Capitol
City Auto Club, he persuaded members to put on an exhibition to settle
friendly arguments over who had the most beautiful roadster. The
contest drew 22 vehicles and fewer than 300 spectators to the Capitol
Chevrolet auto dealership at 13th and K streets in 1950.
Tapping into the popular California car culture that grew after World
War II, he promoted the show on his own and moved to bigger venues.
Held since 1970 at Cal Expo, the Autorama became the West Coast's
biggest indoor custom-car and hot-rod show. Each year, tens of
thousands of fans gather to marvel at hundreds of exotic cars, trucks,
vans and motorcycles.
Besides vehicles from leading custom builders, the multiday event
features popular cars from movies and TV shows and guest appearances
by athletes, Hollywood entertainers and other celebrities.
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"He had model cars for the kids, soap-opera stars for women, something
for everybody," his daughter Linda Winther said. "He wanted the show
to be for the whole family, not just the guys."
Mr. Bagdasarian was known nationwide as a car show promoter. He managed
and had ownership interests in several major Northern California
auto events, including the Grand National Oakland Roadster Show,
World of Wheels in San Mateo and the San Jose Autorama. He promoted
motorcycle races at Hughes Stadium, produced indoor midget car races
at Cal Expo and organized hydroplane races at Folsom Lake.
He sold his interest in the Sacramento Autorama to local auto legend
Don Tognotti in 1991. The event changed hands again and has been
owned since 2005 by Southern California promoter John Buck.
Mr. Bagdasarian "was so important to the custom-car world," Buck said.
"The most important award at the Autorama is named after him - the
H.A. Bagdasarian World's Most Beautiful Custom Award. He really was
a pioneer."
Born in 1923 to Armenian immigrants in Fresno, Mr. Bagdasarian settled
in Sacramento with his family in 1940. He worked in his parents'
grocery store on Second Avenue in Oak Park and served as a gunner
aboard bombers in the Army Air Corps in World War II.
He started Capitol Cab Co. in 1947 and opened a five-minute car
wash on L Street with his brother Elmer, Winther said. He founded
a theatrical searchlight company, developed a battery-operated air
freshener and started a business renting cellphones for business trips.
"If somebody came to him with a good idea for a business, he was
interested," his daughter said. "He knew a good thing when he saw it
and said, 'I can help you.'"
In addition to his daughter, Mr. Bagdasarian is survived by his wife of
70 years, Willi; a son, Bud; a sister, Lucy Wheeler; two grandchildren;
and four great-grandchildren.
A service was held Oct. 24. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations
may be made to any charity.
http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/obituaries/article3412042.html
Sacramento Bee, CA
Oct 27 2014
By Robert D. Davila
Harold A. Bagdasarian, a Sacramento entrepreneur, impresario and car
buff who founded one of the premier shows for custom-made vehicles
in the country, died Oct. 16 at 91.
Mr. Bagdasarian, who started in the cab business, was a showman with
an enduring passion for automobiles. As president of the the Capitol
City Auto Club, he persuaded members to put on an exhibition to settle
friendly arguments over who had the most beautiful roadster. The
contest drew 22 vehicles and fewer than 300 spectators to the Capitol
Chevrolet auto dealership at 13th and K streets in 1950.
Tapping into the popular California car culture that grew after World
War II, he promoted the show on his own and moved to bigger venues.
Held since 1970 at Cal Expo, the Autorama became the West Coast's
biggest indoor custom-car and hot-rod show. Each year, tens of
thousands of fans gather to marvel at hundreds of exotic cars, trucks,
vans and motorcycles.
Besides vehicles from leading custom builders, the multiday event
features popular cars from movies and TV shows and guest appearances
by athletes, Hollywood entertainers and other celebrities.
Related Galleries
Related Stories
Related Blogs
Related Links
"He had model cars for the kids, soap-opera stars for women, something
for everybody," his daughter Linda Winther said. "He wanted the show
to be for the whole family, not just the guys."
Mr. Bagdasarian was known nationwide as a car show promoter. He managed
and had ownership interests in several major Northern California
auto events, including the Grand National Oakland Roadster Show,
World of Wheels in San Mateo and the San Jose Autorama. He promoted
motorcycle races at Hughes Stadium, produced indoor midget car races
at Cal Expo and organized hydroplane races at Folsom Lake.
He sold his interest in the Sacramento Autorama to local auto legend
Don Tognotti in 1991. The event changed hands again and has been
owned since 2005 by Southern California promoter John Buck.
Mr. Bagdasarian "was so important to the custom-car world," Buck said.
"The most important award at the Autorama is named after him - the
H.A. Bagdasarian World's Most Beautiful Custom Award. He really was
a pioneer."
Born in 1923 to Armenian immigrants in Fresno, Mr. Bagdasarian settled
in Sacramento with his family in 1940. He worked in his parents'
grocery store on Second Avenue in Oak Park and served as a gunner
aboard bombers in the Army Air Corps in World War II.
He started Capitol Cab Co. in 1947 and opened a five-minute car
wash on L Street with his brother Elmer, Winther said. He founded
a theatrical searchlight company, developed a battery-operated air
freshener and started a business renting cellphones for business trips.
"If somebody came to him with a good idea for a business, he was
interested," his daughter said. "He knew a good thing when he saw it
and said, 'I can help you.'"
In addition to his daughter, Mr. Bagdasarian is survived by his wife of
70 years, Willi; a son, Bud; a sister, Lucy Wheeler; two grandchildren;
and four great-grandchildren.
A service was held Oct. 24. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations
may be made to any charity.
http://www.sacbee.com/news/local/obituaries/article3412042.html