Bernie Golias

Executive Producer • Director • Chief Car Idiot

bernie@caridiotsforever.com

 

Bernie Golias has a long and fascinating history with vintage automobiles, print, film and a unique combination of all three. 

Because of his passions and comprehensive research, Bernie acted as a consultant and appeared in the documentary Race of the Century, produced by The Ford Motor Company and Greenfield Village (2001).  This film celebrated the 100-year anniversary of the game-changing race between Henry Ford and Alexander Winton.  

Golias has also contributed to other works such as Ken Burns’ PBS documentary Horatio’s Drive (2003) about the first automobile (a 1903 Winton) to successfully traverse the United States. He has given countless formal and informal talks on the subject of Cleveland automotive history and has appeared on the network television show CBS Sunday Morning with host Mo Rocca.  

And Bernie was honored to be the keynote speaker for the Society of Automotive Historians during their international conference held in April of 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Who's Bugatti is it this time, Bernie?

Bernie has co-authored and published Famous but Forgotten: the Story of Alexander Winton, Automotive Pioneer and Industrialist (1997) and produced a historical documentary entitled Cleveland: The Original Motor City (2016), and Cleveland: The First Motor City (2018).

Covering yet another aspect of public media, Golias created his own radio show, “The Auto Era,” which aired on WOBC 91.5 FM, Oberlin, Ohio (2015/16) to promote automotive history. He actively supports films through The Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) and local nonprofits and is currently a member of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission (GCFC) and National Academy of Television Arts and Science (NATAS).  

Dr. Oedipus Redline

In 2018, Bernie retired from the national board of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA), a non-profit organization based out of Hershey, PA with a current membership of 60,000 world-wide. He served two years as vice-president of the Library and Research Center and two years as vice-president of Strategic Planning and Special Projects.  

Here on Car Idiots Forever®, he is developing, hosting and producing the show which is based on the relationships, obsessive behaviors and joys that are inherent to collecting automobiles. He also enjoys playing one of his favorite characters - Dr. Oedipus Redline.  

Bernie is a member of many car clubs (e.g., Antique Automobile Club of America, Classic Car Club of America, Horseless Carriage Club of America, Pontiac -Oakland Club International, The Nash Car Club of America, and The Society of Automotive Historians). He is also well networked with many on line organizations through the Car Idiots Forever® movement.

Winton cruising in the Nash

Bernie is the proud owner of a stunning 1918 Winton two-door sedan (currently undergoing a complete restoration) and a 1924 Nash 696 Roadster.  Ask him about how his love of antique automobiles began  . . . it’s quite a story.  Can you guess the name of his Welsh Corgi?   No?  Then look who’s sitting the front seat of the car.          

 

All that Bernie has accomplished through the years has been with the help and support of his lovely wife, Sara, who adds humor and perspective to his car collecting hobby as well as to his life.

Sara in a 1923 Avions Voison