Gerry has lived most of his life in New Westminster, were he was introduced to hotrods and customs about 1947 by his American cousins. His first car was a 1936 Pontiac coupe, later came a ‘34 Ford 5-window coupe, next was a ‘34 Ford cabriolet, which he built and sold to Bunny Jeboult.

While building his cars, Gerry became involved in racing stock cars at Digney Speedway as a mechanic and test driver the car no.4 team of Swank, Dunn, and Miller. He also drag raced at Abbotsford, Bayview and Arlington strips in the mid-fifties.

In 1952, Gerry joined the British Columbia Custom Car Association (BCCCA) and was charter member number 13. He served on committees and helped in setting up the first Motorama shows. In 1956, he served as membership chairman.

Following is a list of some of the many hotrod and custom car projects that Gerry was involved with in the 1950s and 60s:

· ‘37 Ford coupe with Nash grille and a big flathead V8, C Gas record holder at Abbotsford, 1955.

· ‘32 Ford Pickup with Olds. V8 engine, built for Harry Dashevsky. (known as the Lil Red Wagon)

GERRY DUNN - Inducted 2006

Pioneer - Hot Rod, Custom Car and Drag Racing

Gerry with his 1938 Chevy coupe, Abbotsford, 2005 (Larry Braine collection)

By Larry Braine, 2006

Gerry Dunn, 1950s

· ‘40 Ford Deluxe coupe with Cadillac V8, and LaSalle transmission.

· ‘47 Mercury coupe with Buick V8 power and transmission; sold to Bill Traquair

· ‘50 Oldsmobile fastback, Olds 324 ci V8; sold to Ray Carlson

· Chuck Robinson's ‘32 Ford roadster, with Buick V8 and Zephyr transmission.

·  1954 Chev sedan with 331 Caddie engine, LaSalle tranny and ‘57 Chev rear end. This car was his dad’s and was real sleeper.

· Two Studebaker lowboys with Chev V8 engines.

· 1961 Jaguar sedan powered by a Chev. 327 ci V8, with Chev 350 tranny.

· ‘54 Chev. coupe with an Olds V8 and Caddie transmission.

It is worth noting that all of the cars he built were fast, dependable, and stopped well.

Gerry continued to build and do work on street rods through the 1970s and 80s, while employed as a mechanic at several Vancouver Auto Dealerships.

Over the years, he custom-made and installed many wire harnesses for engine swaps.

He has continued to support motorsports to the present day, by assisting with Show and Shine events in the lower mainland.

His personal street rod is a nice 1938 Chev coupe with a 383 ci Chev. V8, This car was one of only two street rods in attending the Abbotsford Retrospective in May, 2005.

Gerry and wife, Nancy, have been traveling in the Chev coupe to street rod events in Western Canada for many years and continue to do so, every summer .