Background
Michael "Blackie" Gejeian, an Armenian by descent, was born in 1926 in Easton, California, near Fresno, to a family of Armenian Genocide survivors.
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Blackie Gejeian
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Education
After Gejeian graduated high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and participated in World World War World War II
Career
Considered an "Industry Legend", Gejeian is the organizer of the, one of the largest custom car shows in North America, held annually in Fresno, California. His family, including his extended family, were farmers who lived together in one farm ranch. Gejeian later recalled:
Seventeen of us lived in that one farm house.
And you"ve never seen such happy people.
My dad played the violin. One uncle the clarinet.
Another uncle the tambourine. Gejeian then started to drive his dads car at the age of 12 around the ranch.
Returning from the war, Gejeian desired to build the fastest hot rod in Fresno.
His first car was built in 1945 and became the fastest in Fresno. Painted in black, he called this first car "Blackie", which would ultimately earn him his nickname. However, this car would ultimately crash in a race in 1948.
Gejeian rebuilt the roadster as a show car and renamed it "Shish Kebob".
The undercarriage of the car was the first undercarriage made of chrome. He also started the tradition of placing a mirror beneath the car when showcased.
The car earned the title "Best of Show" at Gene Winfield"s show. In 1955, it was named World"s Most Beautiful Roadster by the Oakland Grand National Roadster Show.
Blackie Gejeian, along with George Barris, Richard Peters, then built the Ala Kart.
The chassis work was done Peters and Gejeian at their Fresno, California shop, while the body and styling was by Barris. The name was derived from George Barris, an auto customizer, opening a menu and Blackie seeing the phrase Ala Carte on the top of lieutenant Barris sketched out the early design on restaurant napkins.
Ala Kart featured an entirely chromed chassis, including springs, driveshaft, and rearend (following Gejean"s previous car"s example).
Ala Kart was reproduced as a 1/25 scale model kit by AMT in 1961 becoming one of the best-selling kits in history. lieutenant was also reproduced by the Danbury Mint, reissued four times due to demand, plus a Fiftieth Anniversary edition
In addition, it was issued as a Hot Wheels car. Ala Kart also made numerous film appearances, usually in the background of drive-in shots, before its importance to rodders and customizers was recognized.
He became of promoter at Clovis speedway for over two decades from 1960 to 1980.
The Clovis speedway, which was in a dire situation, became more and more popular with Gejeian"s promotion. Through Gejeian"s effort, the Clovis speedway became "most epic dirt tracks in the country." Gejeian was also the owner of the Fresno Dragway 18 years. A plaque was inaugurated in 2009 which honors Blackie Gejeian outside of the Fresno Convention Center.
Blackie Gejeian began the car show in 1958.
Since then, has been held annually in Fresno. The "drew some of the finest examples of automotive ingenuity." In its 50th anniversary in 2008, the showcased over 250 cars.
However, with the retirement of Gejeian, the car show ceased from occurring. Throughout its history, the car show took place once a year for 51 years, the last show being held in 2010.
