For this issue of the Grundy Weekly Reader, we thought you might want to learn a little more about Chuck Wasoski, VP of the Collector Vehicle Program at Grundy Worldwide. Chances have it that you’ve spoken to him over the phone or at a car show. Chuck is not only a Grundy employee, but he is also an avid hobbyist who attends car shows on a regular basis.

Chuck Wasoski says that he's been a fan of old cars for just about as long as he can remember, saying that it goes way back in the family. With a father who worked for Studabaker, in South Bend, IN, since the age of 15, and a grandfather who collected old cars, it seems appropriate that Chuck delved into the hobby at a young age. He began attending car shows when he was seven- or eight-years-old and got into the habit of sneaking into race tracks as a teen... just to get a glimpse of the cars.

Chuck says that although he's always gone to car shows and admired old vehicles, he never really understood how involved and truly exciting collector vehicle events were until he started working at Grundy Worldwide, in 1998.

And, it wasn't too long after he started working at Grundy that he purchased a 1957 F100 Ford Pick-Up in Carlisle, PA, in 2005, for $2700. The truck was rebuilt into a custom, and is now Chuck’s prized possession. He also owned a 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS T-Top.

And while Chuck cherishes the ’57 Pick-Up, he adds that he is looking to sell it, in order to buy his all-time favorite vehicle—a 1932 Hi-Boy Roadster.

“That’s my dream car,” he says.  “I love the look of it. It reminds me of the 1950s hotrods, and it’s one of the most famous hotrods out there. It would be such a cool car to be able to drive.”

“Plus, my kid thinks it’s cool,” he goes on to say. “But, he doesn’t think it’s as cool as a 1967 Shelby GT 500. He’s into cars big time.”

As it was passed down to him, Chuck says that he has passed on the love of collector cars to his son, Brandon, who is 10-years-old. He adds that Brandon has over 80 die cast models throughout his bedroom, and he often tags along when Chuck attends car shows.

Chuck attends 20 or 25 collector car shows, each year—some for work and others for simple enjoyment of the hobby.  He says he also tries to hit a cruise night each week, during the summertime. But, he adds that it can be sometimes tough with Brandon’s baseball schedule.

“But, once that’s over, I go to one or two each week,” he says.

 “My position at Grundy has given me friends across the country.” he explains. “At every show I go to across America, I know somebody.”

Chuck says that he enjoys traveling to all the shows, where he gets to see cool cars and meet new people. And, he adds that there are other facets of his career that add excitement to his life, as well.

“I love my job,” he continues. “I really do! I come to work every day and there is a different challenge thrown across my desk. I’ll look at one file, where the guy wants to add on a cool-looking Volkswagen Bug to his policy. And, then, the next guy wants to add a Ferrari GTO. One is five or ten thousand dollars, and the other is over two million dollars. There’s a lot of variety.”

Chuck continues to say that he enjoys talking to all of Grundy’s customers because they all have different visions of how their car should look, each having their own, unique style.

“Just because I don’t like how one car looks, doesn’t mean that the owner doesn’t love the way their car looks,” he says. “And, I appreciate that.”

Chuck goes on to say that sometimes local customers will bring their car over to the Grundy office, located in Horsham, PA. He says that it’s fun to go out into the parking lot to take a walk around the car and hear the stories behind the vehicles.

“You get to feel the passion that our customers have for their cars,” he says.

Chuck also enjoys doing the walk-around at the car shows he attends across the country.

“Our customers are very loyal,” he says. “They’ve become our friends. I’ll set up a table at the booth, and they’ll come hang out with us all day and talk about cars. Then when their friend comes walking down, they pull them over and help promote our company. When we gain customers, we gain friends. And, through those friends, we make more friends. It’s the Grundy Family.”

“I plan on keeping this job for life,” says Chuck. 

He adds that if his son, Brandon, doesn’t follow through on finding a career as a professional baseball player, he sees him coming to work with dad, one day.

Come join the Grundy Family! Visit our staff at the following events: Grundy Event Calendar Or, get an instant quote today by calling 800-338-4005  or logging on to www.grundy.com

Story by: Becky McLaughlin