Auto body designer Derick Samson of Marshall poses with the trophies and plaques he earned at the 55th annual Detroit Autorama show and the car that wowed judges and audiences alike. In his first trip to the Detroit auto show his 1962 Chevrolet Impala took first place in the "Radical Custom Convertible" category, the silver CASI Cup for "outstanding entry as chosen by the show management team" and the "Rising Star" award for the best new designer. Samson said feedback from show-goers indicated they were impressed with his approach, favoring unity, graceful lines and an understated elegance rather than the wild and glitzy look that some top designers favor. [Click to enlarge]

When Derick Samson arrived at the Detroit Autorama on the weekend of March 9 to set up the display for his 1962 Chevrolet Impala, the show organizers placed him right in the front row.

Samson could have gone home happy right then, he said.

"I was just amazed by that," he said. "It was an honor to have those professionals feel my work was worthy of that spot."

Samson carefully mops every inch of his award-winning Chevrolet Impala after it took a few sprinkles of rain during a recent photo session. He says paying attention to every detail when designing and building his cars is one key to his success. Samson said he starts with small details and lets the design of each car evolve as he goes, but he keeps in mind a unified whole that will, he hopes, not just please the eye but inspire viewers and spark their imaginations. [Click to enlarge]

But Samson had more pleasant surprises in store for him as one of the country's most important hot rod shows progressed.

He took first place in the "Radical Custom Convertible" category, the silver Championship Auto Shows Inc. (CASI) Cup for "outstanding entry as chosen by the show management team," and the "Rising Star" award for the best new designer.

"I was the youngest person in the show. I got to surprise a lot of people," he said.

Samson said it took awhile for the reality to sink in, that in his first trip to the big show he was taking some of the show's top awards.

"I was just speechless. All I could do was just sit there and grin," he said. "This is the show I've dreamed about getting to ever since I started working on cars."

But Samson insists the quick success will not affect his approach or his work ethic.

"To do this already is so inspiring. But now I've got to step it up," he said. "You have to keep it in perspective and never think you're invincible."

Samson said feedback from show-goers indicated they were impressed with his approach, favoring "soothing" design, unity, graceful lines and an understated elegance rather than the wild and glitzy look that some top designers favor.

He gave credit to his family, Ken and Rachel Samson -- his business shares space with his parents' auto repair business, and he said he learned a great deal about cars from his father -- and his fiancee, Emily Chevalier of Marshall.

And he gave credit to his choir director.

Ron Sayer, who directed Samson as a vocalist at Marshall High School and now as a member of the Marshall Community Chorus, was a big influence on his work ethic, attitude and style, Samson said.

Knowledge of music informs many of his choices in design, he said.

"Ron Sayer has really made a difference in my life," he said. "He always pushes us to do our best."

Contact Eric Crump at

marshalleditor@socket.net