Biography

 My name is Gregory S. Grifana. I consider myself to be more than just a car enthusiast. My passion is cars, trucks and bikes. All makes and models. My love of the automotive world began when I was a young boy, approximately 4years of age. My abilities to construct, create, re-create, and my extensive eye for detail was founded at a very young age. Through the years I have perfected my talents through education and have continued to build on a foundation of hard work, commitment, moral values, and follow through attitude. My belief is that a person can achieve anything they choose, provided that they apply the necessary techniques and full dedication to each and every goal that they desire. I believe that success is achieved through an individual’s willingness to grasp a concept, and then develop and refine those techniques to perfection.

What sets me apart from just ordinary car enthusiasts is the fact that I can look beyond the normal realm of car building. I am able to “think outside the box, “allowing my intellect and my imagination to create something that is not always seen by others at a glance.

My first experience with “hands on” work with cars began at age 7 learning custom auto interiors, to also include the custom van craze. My next involvement included the purchase of my first car at age 14, a 1963 Chevy II, which allowed me to develop my automotive skills. My next step was my involvement with high school shop class, to include a full body off rebuild of a 1968 Camaro. My senior year of high school I began constructing and then establishing the very first car club of Northern Virginia called, “Northern Virginia Street Machines,” established in the spring of 1977. Also in 1977, my first exposure to participating in the World of Wheels 1977 (ISCA) included my 1968 Camaro.

By age 18, I furthered my automotive skills by way of joining the US Coastguard and being stationed in Motor City, attending Detroit University Design and Development Class, graduating with honors in 1980. I then returned to Northern Virginia as an Automotive Mechanic, with small exposure in 1980 to the NASCAR Design World, (Body & Frame Development.)

After becoming the President of Northern Virginia Street Machines and refining my skills, I began taking my talents to a new level of promoting Rod Runs, and Car Shows. My desire to further apply my refined training led me to a new start of promoting, producing, directing and judging, car, truck, and bike events all across the East Coast, Maryland and the Carolina’s.
This dedication and love of the automotive world allowed me to reach new heights and establish my own car show and consultant business, which in turn has allowed me to travel and share my knowledge, experience and passion with others.    

In my earlier years of The Car Craft Street Machine Nationals, and my continued participation of The World of Wheels, ISCA 1997 Grand Champion Eastern Division led me to my Certification as an Official ISCA Show Judge. My Participation of the Hot Rod Power Tour in 1998, 1999 and numerous indoor/outdoor car shows all along the eastern coast as well as the Daytona Turkey Run, Street Rod Nationals, Goodguys, Myrtle Beach, Daytona Bike Week, Corvette’s America, Bellefonte Cruise, Ocean City Cruise Fest, and PT Cruisers, just to name a few. Currently I have been active for the past 16 years professionally judging shows at Maryland International Raceway, to include, Super Chevy, PINKS, US Big Rig Nationals, NOPI, IMSTAR, Presidents Cup, Carlisle Truck Nationals, PT Cruisers, and Biketoberfest, in support of the Children’s Performance Workshop against Child Abuse located in Virginia Beach Virginia.

Currently I am a 41 year veteran rider of Harley Davidson Motorcycles.  I own, operate, and perform all maintenance and upgrades to my 2000 Harley Davidson Ultra Classic, which is by no stretch of the imagination a “Stock” Harley Davidson. I have found new and innovative ways to make it stand out among the rest. A real, “you have to see it to believe it” kind of bike. It’s definitely what some would call a “one of a kind bike.” My personal rolling work of art has won many First Place Awards over the years, and appeared in numerous magazines. My passion for riding has enabled me to travel to new places, meet famous people and participate in many prestigious and charitable events. As an active member of my Local Tidewater Chapter, I have made a personal commitment to my community to ride with safety and display my bike as a proud motorcycle enthusiast.

My long term continued goals of performing car, truck and bike related events would be to further establish myself as a National Events Director based on my past and present experience in the car, truck and bike fields. I feel this would allow me the opportunity to reach an even higher level of achievement for the purpose of my continued dedication and devotion to the car show and automotive world.