Summer-Fall 2008

I completed my '58 in mid-July and attended the Syracuse Nationals.  Much to my surprise, my truck was selected as a "Designer's Dozen" nominee, one of the top 100 at the event.  The following week, I departed for parts West.  I drove to Alamosa, Colorado and interviewed John Martin, of Johnny's Auto Trim, a high end custom interior shop.  From there I drove to Lincoln, Nebraska to interview Bill "Speedy" Smith at Speedway Motors.  Along the way, I met and talked with many custom car and truck enthusiasts.  My truck was a great vehicle for conversations.  Most of the time folks just walked up to me and asked, "What color is that?"  Or, they made a declarative statement such as, "That is one sick truck!"

I put some 4,200 miles on my cruiser, and in the process collected some great material for my book.  What have I learned? 

It's hard to know what to make of things this early into the effort.  Nevertheless, custom culture as we know it seems on the bubble.  And rust never sleeps.  Things change, and some traditions just die hard.  Yet, based on my early fieldwork, I cannot believe that the craftsmanship required to create, and the passion necessary to maintain, custom rides will simply fade away.  I do not believe that custom culture will abandon its enterprise and join the rest of America at the mall or online. 

Currently I am preparing to attend the Goodguy's 4th Great American Nationals at Pocono Raceway, on 26-28 September.  I'll spend some time "shadowing" a Goodguy's staff member during the event.  I will also interview many car and truck builders about the enterprise.  Hopefully, I'll make many great contacts for next summer's road trip.