Meet ORMHOF Vehicle Appraiser Gary Haugley

We're grateful to have the support of many wonderful people here at the Hall of Fame and would like to recognize Gary Haugley. Gary is pictured with his wife Jan at the ORMHOF 2018 Induction & Awards Gala.

Gary serves as the official vehicle appraiser for ORMHOF. When a vehicle is donated to the Hall of Fame, Gary conducts a complete and thorough appraisal for the donor.  He has appraised iconic ORMHOF vehicles including the BFG Blazer and Snortin Nortins Nova.

"I grew up in the sport of off-road and love it," Gary told the Hall of Fame. "More people should be involved on the business side and supporting ORMHOF."

Gary started his career in appraising more than 25 years ago with a major auction company. In 2005 he became a certified and licensed Automobile Appraiser and a member of the International Automobile Appraiser Association (IAAA), and opened his business, Classic Auto Appraiser of San Diego. He is a member of the Auto Mediators Association (AMA) and is certified in the IAAA's Uniform Standards for Automotive Appraisal Procedures (USAAP). Gary specializes in appraising classic and vintage cars.

Many Southern California off-road fans will remember Gary and his wife Jan from their business B & R Buggie on Coast Highway in San Diego, which they operated for more than four decades, before selling in 2018. Gary is especially proud of the line of custom street and off-road aluminum wheels designed and manufactured in the USA.  

"For ten years starting in 1998, my business contracted with the US Marines First Force Reconnaissance (FORCE RECON) Company and I trained the Marines on vehicle maintenance and off-road and night driving techniques for their Light Strike Vehicles (LSV), the military-variant of a commercially-produced and proven off-road racing vehicle.  My business supplied them with complete engines, transmissions, and all parts needed for their off-road vehicles," Gary told ORMHOF. 

In addition to being a sought-after appraiser, Gary has also been selected to judge some of the most exclusive collector car events in America, including Concours d'Elegance shows in La Jolla and Rancho Mirage, and Palm Springs, California.

Gary also dedicates time to supporting veteran causes including Warfighter Made, a Southern California veteran-operated non-profit that provides adaptive motorsports and adrenaline therapy for America's veterans, especially disabled veterans. He loves to give back, helping veterans who gave so much, and assisting them with their vehicle builds, modifications, and restorations.

In his 'spare' time, you can find Gary at auto-related swap meets, auctions, car shows, or in the desert. He spends time reading automotive periodicals, automotive internet sites, and forums and is always striving to improve his professional education to keep up with the ever-changing industry.

In Gary's personal garage, you'll find Scoop Vessels' six-door Thing, a 1981 single-seat Mirage, a 1972 SS Chevelle convertible, and his two-seat street-legal B & R Buggie, in addition to a large collection of off-road memorabilia. 

Gary with his six-door Thing that once belonged to ORMHOF legacy inductee Frank "Scoop" Vessels, on the beach at Pismo during the Old School Dune Buggies and Sand Rails Reunion in 2018.  Barbara Rainey photo.

Legends live at ormhof.org.  Join, partner, or donate today.

Posted March 1, 2023