Ask almost any classic truck owner and they'll be quick to tell you that summer holds the keys to paradise...a time when a full tank of high test rules with the sun cracking the horizon and a well planned destination in mind. Sometimes selecting just where to go is the hardest part of the plan 'cuz there are just so many cool places across the country to visit. With the overwhelming success of the first ever Syracuse Nationals in 2000, a buzz was created that quickly spread to lots of East Coast and Canadian truck and car owners, helping to make their 2001 road trip plans even easier. When you take a city like Syracuse that is so rich in automotive history, this event seems like a natural. But lets not forget that the city also offers plenty of dramatic architecture, museums, great restaurants, and exciting nightlife to check out.
With so many great points of interest available, those who arrived early for the event were in for a real treat! In the historic downtown area, the Museum of Automotive History boasts having one of the world's largest collections of automobile memorabilia with over 10,000 pieces to be seen. This time out they were featuring a special exhibit on American Presidents and their automobiles--sweet! If you were in the driving mood, you could plot a day trip over to the
Finger Lakes region to not only take in the breathtaking shorelines, but to stop by and visit with some of the region's finest wineries (there are over 60 to see!). Let's not forget that the region is a stone's throw away from the historic Watkins Glen International Speedway, which first opened in 1948 and fast became one of the premier road racing facilities in the country today. Throughout the week there were also cruises to such favorite local venues like Sweet Inspirations, the Jordan Diner, and Sam's Lakeside Restaurant, all of which were a tremendous hit. If you're into music, you were likely to be blown away since the New York State Rhythm and Blues Festival was also in town for the weekend.
At the crack of dawn on Friday, attendees began flocking to the massive 360-acre New York State Fairgrounds to get in and get settled. The grounds feature lots of tree-lined areas to park under, expansive cruising lanes to roam, and plenty of great camping facilities. With fantastic summer weather in the high 80s, it was a perfect time to check out all that the weekend had to offer. There were plenty of vendors in attendance this year, from event presenters PPG to Gibbon Fiberglass Reproductions, Pro's Pick Engineered Components, and American Racing Wheels, just to mention a few. If your ride needed updating, this was the place to meet with suppliers on a face-to-face level and check out their products first hand. Strolling through the fairgrounds you were treated to a visual assault of just about every type of rolling sculpture imaginable from super high-tech beauties to ultra stoke hardcore rides. When your hunger pains hit, there were more than enough vendors satisfy all of your cravings. If your thirst needed quenching, you could literally just look over your shoulder and there was probably a vendor looking back smiling and ready to help.
The excitement that was building amongst event participants was quite evident, thanks to the grand prize giveaway that was slated for mid-day Saturday. You see, event promoters Bob O'Connor and Fred Fibiger decided to have a wicked little three-window Deuce coupe put together with materials and products supplied solely by sponsors and vendors of the Syracuse Nationals. Well, everyone knows that it's one thing to obtain all of the parts, but who would offer to assemble the whole enchilada? Tucci Engineering of Marcy, New York stepped in and created one amazing coupe that had everyone in attendance hoping that his or her lucky number would be called. In the end after all of the nail biting was complete, it was Harold Smart from New Haven, New York who lucked out and got the keys to this signature rod. By the time
Sunday afternoon came, everyone had been treated to a great weekend of weather, socializing with friends, and numerous bands performing live on different stages throughout the grounds. Sounds like a pretty full weekend, right? Well there were even more giveaways, with a literal busload of prizes still waiting to be presented. The promoters of this event are firm believers of giving back to the community also, and thanks to the overwhelming cooperation of the Central New York Car Club Association (the official hosts of the event) at the final ceremonies they presented five $3,000 checks to local charities to show their support. The exciting success of this second year event has clearly shown that thanks to the 5,840 vehicle owners in attendance and 40,000 visitors through the gate, this happening is here to stay. All we can say is that three days of seeing truck and car owners smiling with joy and diggin' the scene is more than enough to make us want to come back next year!
Tim and Sinah Douglas' '67 Chevy Fleetside was just plain bitchin' thanks to a multitude of custom updates including a full shave, Firestone bag suspension and 17-inch Billet Specialties wheels stuck to ultra low BFG gumballs. Finished in a custom blend of Swepee Green with tasty graphics and plenty of tan leather inside, this truck was one hot ride! | 
Wow, Ernie Snyder's gorgeous '57 Chevy milk truck had us thinking it would be the perfect accompaniment to the "Got Milk?" campaign! The truck was no slug either, thanks to the 454 cubic inches of big-block power that help churn those massive 16-inch Alcoa wheels. | 
Kyle Bond of Gibbon Fiberglass positively blew the crowds away with his '55 Chevy pick-up that was running Gibbon's latest Cameo reproduction bed set-up. Powered by a detailed '87 Buick Grand National turbo V6, the killer ride was then treated to a torsion bar front suspension and a set of 17-inch polished Americans before being dipped into a vat of Dupont Rio Red shiny stuff. Wicked! |
You want wild...you got it! Check out Derek Martindale's devilish '51 Chevy that was nosed, spanked, whacked, and slammed mercilessly to the ground thanks to an air-bag suspension. The sunshine yellow dip-job topped by zippy graphics coupled with updates like the Dodge Neon headlights help make this hauler one to remember! | 
You can always depend on Jim Malaro from Sparta, NJ to motor in with one of his latest
creations that will capture your attention. This year, Jim outdid himself with this ultra-stoke '54 Effie that had a perfect stance, tons of style and the most alluring light blue metallic squirt-job you could imagine! Way to go Jim! | 
It was great to see Jim McMillen's '53 Chevy panel wagon in from Ontario. The old-timey hauler was totally neat-o with its dark blue body complemented by fatty whites and factory caps. |
We bet it was one sweet ride in from Welland, Ontario for Jason Lundy in his tasty '46 Chevy pickup that was shaved, soaked in a combination of emerald green and silver metallic, and set to roll on polished fives. | 
Jane Brophy's '56 Ford had us wishing that we could have taken it home with us! Souped-up with all of the right stuff, it featured quad-frenched taillights, rolled rear pan, an asphalt grazing attitude and plenty of lapis blue metallic covered with scorching licks. The chubby whites on chrome reverse rims with dog-dish caps help make this ride pop! | 
It isn't often that you see a totally kool Stude' in the crowd, and Larry Thomas '46 was a real attention magnet with its arrest-me-red body glimmering in the sunshine! Updates like a cozy interior filled with gray and black buckets, silver raylle wheels, and all-black rubber make this ride neat! |
The sawzall blades were working overtime when Barry Franz hammered the top of his rambunctious '48 Chevy! The body of the truck was then made smooth as glass, tossed onto the pavement, and covered with buckets of pale orange gloss making it a total looker! | 
Looking factory fresh was Alan and Cindy Howe's '71 Chevy C10 from St. Johnsville, NY. Powered by a 350 V8 coupled to a TH400 trans and 3.73:1 posi rear, you can bet that this restored beauty sees plenty of miles. Great job folks! | 
When you take a '40 Chevrolet that's been tossed to the ground, add old-school slotted rims and Briz bumpers, then drop it into plenty of creme and coffee, you come up with Rich and Helen Small's way-trad truck. |
Ken Bessette, Jr. had the crowds smiling with his cool rendition of a '36 Ford fire truck; transforming it with a modified bed, fire hoses, extinguishers, and enough Torch Red with gold leaf accents to make it look like the real deal! | 
Mark Bailey's '51 Chevy was far from invisible thanks to its effervescent Creamsicle orange body that was flawless, Eagle wheels topped with Cobra raised whites, and a true hot rod stance. With an interior that was filled with tobacco tweed buckets, a digital dash, and Grant wood wheel, you can bet that motoring on the interstate is a dream! | 
Margaret Spring Wade cruised in all the way from Mount Airy, GA and we were glad that she did! Her '65 GMC flareside was stylin' to the max thanks to its zippy turquoise and white body, Cragar wires, white rolled bench interior, and dash full of Stewart Warner Wings gauges. Way to go! |
With a reputation as one of the East Coast's top rod builders, you couldn't expect Dave Tucci, Jr. from Marcy, NY to drive a mundane ramp truck now could you? Dave's personal hauler is a '46 Ford that's been treated to an all-black body coated with purple fire, a Briz bumper, chrome stacks, and a cream rolled interior. | 
It's been quite a while since we've seen a truly delectable metalflake covered ride and Frank Catanzarita's '57 Chevy was "all that" and more! Covered with plenty of show chrome and rolling on polished Americans, the pickup had loads of personality thanks to saucy little touches like the full visor, banjo steering wheel, and glistening oak bed. | 
Bud Bush's '39 Dodge stakebed had us just hoping for a ride! It was just too cool with its flat-six power, cranked-out windshield, midnight blue coating and loads of charm! |