ALAMOSA — After winning the prestigious 2018 Don Ridler Award at the Detroit Autorama show on March 4, Johnny’s Auto Trim and Rod Shop’s crew have been on the road traveling across the country showing the 1957 Chevy named Imagine owned by Greg and Judy Hrehovcsik and co-owner Johnny Martin.

After Detroit, Johnny hit the road and traveled to Chicago where they won the Legends Cup award. Next Johnny and the crew made a stop in Salt Lake City, Utah to pick up the Wasatch Cup Award and it was back on the road again to Des Moines, Iowa. In Des Moines, Imagine received the Custom Rod of the Year Finalist pick. Most recently Imagine has received the Top 25 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. 

Making their way home from Iowa, the crew made a pit stop and delivered the 1957 Chevy Imagine to Johnny Martin’s Car Central located at 1 South Nevada Avenue located in downtown Colorado Springs where it was displayed for the month of July. Car Central is a unique restaurant and club combination and was opened in 2013 with the vision of having a one of a kind atmosphere.

The club offers a variety of vehicles on display customers can view while they have a drink and a bite to eat. While Car Central was originally members only it has since opened to the public. Those interested are encouraged to check out the web site at johnnymartins.com to view this unique venue and a list of current events.

Johnny, along with son and manager, Ryan Martin and Body Technician Craig Rogers will gear up to hit the road again where the show agenda includes travels to Lake Havasu, Arizona Run to the Sun; SEMA show in Las Vegas, Nevada; Scottsdale, Arizona Goodguys event; Houston, Texas World of Wheels; Los Angeles, California Grande National Roadster Show; Sacramento California Autorama then back to where it all begin at the Detroit Autorama to receive the Hall of Fame Induction then back to Chicago, Illinoi for the Autorama finale.

Imagine has received plenty of attention and with this level of customization and attention to detail it’s hard to disagree. The ’57 Chevy has been featured in several photo shoots for popular hot rodding magazines as well as a number of published articles.

Special arrangements have been made to make sure the Ridler winner was home in order to participate at the local Early Iron Festival this weekend.

Johnny would like to give special thanks to his family, owners Greg and Judy Hrehovcsik, Tom Stark of Precision Designs (Denver), Wayne Saunders of Alternative Automotive Design (Colorado Springs), the crew that helped get to the finish line, many friends, local business owners and the community for the support provided during this adventure.

Captions: Owned by Greg and Judy Hrehovcsik and co-owner Johnny Martin, Imagine’s custom silver paint job soaks in the soft light of a top light. The ’57 Chevy will participate in this weekend’s Early Iron Festival./Courtesy photos

The ’57 Chevy’s undercarriage on display shows the ground up meticulous attention to detail. That same attention to detail is a big reason why Imagine has been a powerhouse on tour this summer.