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21st Annual Cruisin' Ocean City - Hot Times In The City21st Annual Cruisin’ Ocean City, Ocean City, Maryland From the November, 2011 issue of Classic Trucks By Chuck Vranas
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There’s only one thing better than spending your time building a cool classic truck and that’s burning up the road with it. With a union of sweat, grease, motor oil, and gasoline all becoming one once you hit the ignition, the only thing left to do is buckle up and let the asphalt take you to yet to be discovered territories. Maybe it’s an East Coast thing, but once the snow clears out and the weather starts to get nice you experience an adrenaline rush that seems to have been building for months, making you want to do nothing else but put down the miles on your truck. One of the neatest shows across the country to have earned the reputation of being a true driving event is Cruisin’ Ocean City. Now in its 21st year, it seemed only natural to have Classic Trucks there to check it all out. The quaint little seaside town of Ocean City, Maryland, along with its 8,000 year-round residents opens up its 10-mile strip to well over 3,000 enthusiastic car and truck owners for an extended weekend every May, giving them full reign of the city. This always leaves the scent of high-octane fuel hanging heavy in the air. If you hate lawn chairs, dig watching the odometer on your ride spin, and have no problem tanking up daily, this is the event for you. Everything starts at the absolute end of the strip—“the inlet,” which serves as the epicenter for the weekend-long festivities. Surrounded by immaculately groomed beaches and killer surf, there is ample parking for up to 1,500 vehicles that’s guaranteed to fill up by 10 a.m. on Saturday. Hanging out at the inlet is a blast with an old campy amusement park that will bring back memories from when you were a kid wearing PF Flyers while drinking an ice-cold soda as you checked out the Ferris wheel or took a scream through the haunted house. There’s also a bitchin’ boardwalk that stretches for as far as the eye can see packed with more tasty stuff than you could ever eat in a day, let alone a weekend! From cotton candy and caramel corn, to funnel cakes and hot fries, be thankful that you can do plenty of walking between stops. If you were looking to check out some of the latest innovations for your ride, there were numerous sponsor exhibitors, including General Motors Performance Division, Summit, Meguiar’s, PPG, and K&N Filters to mention but a few. You also had the chance to meet the ever-so-cool Danielle Colby Cushman from TV’s American Pickers. One of the great things about the inlet is that everyone keeps moving throughout the day, thus allowing plenty of attendees the ability to cruise in while others head out to experience other stops along the strip. Blasting off from the inlet it was a sure hit to stop by the Convention Center ’cuz there’s always a few surprises inside. This year, legions of fans were able to check out TV’s original Batmobile as well as a live collector car auction by Express Auctioneers, special indoor car show, and countless vendors. There were also numerous other mini-events happening all day long, including shows at Hooters, the Ice Cream Castle, and Phillips Crab House to name but a few. If this sounds like fun; you’re only halfway there. Once the inlet get-together closes for the evening, everyone grabs a bite; tanks up, and hits the strip for late-night cruising and even more shows to check out. With crowds cheering you on from sidewalks, parking lots, and multi-level garages it’s amazing just how much fun driving your truck can be. This year, there were plenty of traditional rides mingling with high-tech slicksters, Pro Mods on methanol, and cool customs. It wasn’t hard to find pairs of Pro Street rides pulling their front wheels off the ground when the lights went green as they screamed off into the night. On Saturday evening there was even a big-time rock ’n’ roll show featuring Sir Rod’s ultimate tribute to Rod Stewart, Johnny Seaton as Elvis, The Blues Brothers Revue, and special guest Gene Vincent and the Cadillac Cruisers, with enough gusto to blast the plaster off the ceiling at the Convention Center. All we can say is this is one event that will keep you talking about it all year long. You can check it all out at www.specialeventpro.com. Dig it!  One of the coolest happenings...  One of the coolest happenings over the weekend was having the chance to cruise your classic truck down the historic Ocean City boardwalk while greeted by cheering fans.  There’s nothing like fresh...  There’s nothing like fresh ocean air to get you motivated to break out the polish and get your ride looking perfect.  Completely built and painted...  Completely built and painted in their home shop, Phil and Tonyea Mead’s ’41 Dodge left us in awe with its perfect stance, subtle colors, and attention to detail.  Coated in dramatic blue vibe...  Coated in dramatic blue vibe and rolling on American Racing Salt Flats with BFGoodrich rubber, Mark Rauser’s ’72 Chevy was bitchin’. A red interior with bucket seats and bed-mounted Moon tank added extra accent.  Jessica Kilby’s ’50 Chevy...  Jessica Kilby’s ’50 Chevy stopped us in our tracks with its two-tone, green pearl body; one-piece hood; stretched rear fenders; frenched headlights; and big-inch Billet Specialties rollers.  The ocean was a perfect backdrop...  The ocean was a perfect backdrop for Ross Gilbert’s ’64 Chevy with its all-red body, flaked flames, and alligator accented interior.  Twenty-five-year-old Nick...  Twenty-five-year-old Nick Webber’s owner-built ’46 Chevy featured a custom chassis; 2-inch chop; 3-inch cab stretch; and handmade, stretched, and widened rear fenders. Power comes from a 540ci Merlin block capped with Valley Head Service 32-valve heads.  Randy Connell’s ’55 Chevy...  Randy Connell’s ’55 Chevy hauler was patina’d, louvered, and slammed mercilessly to the ground, making it the perfect hot rod hauler.  Wowing the crowds all weekend...  Wowing the crowds all weekend long, Gary Ennis’ ’bagged and slammed ’48 Chevy COE featured a mid-engine mounted Corvette LS1 V-8 linked to a 700-R4 trans, now that’s neat!  Bringing Pro Street to a whole...  Bringing Pro Street to a whole new level, Aaron Baker’s ’65 Chevy had an aggressive stance complemented by big-inch Billet Specialties wheels and just enough classic dazzle.  Still wearing its original...  Still wearing its original paint and lettering, Donald Fuss’ rare ’48 Chevy Canopy Express was originally owned by the Niner Awning Company of Hagerstown, Maryland. Mechanical updates include a 305ci Chevy mill with a 700-R4 trans and Heidts IFS.  Visitors throughout the weekend...  Visitors throughout the weekend had a chance to meet and chat with Danielle Colby Cushman, well-known for her role on TV’s American Pickers.  Traditionally designed with...  Traditionally designed with a twist, Bill Liedtka’s ’51 Ford had a Mustang Cobra 4.6-liter V-8 lurking under the hood linked to a Tremec five-speed and Ford 9-inch rear.  The wildest ride hands-down...  The wildest ride hands-down was this ultra-rare ’58 DKW delivery van owned by Gary Adkins. Rolling on Intro wheels, a turbocharged 4.3-liter Chevy V-6 generates the power.  Bunky Messick gave his ’53...  Bunky Messick gave his ’53 Chevy a 355ci mill topped with dual quads for power while Billet Specialties wheels and vibrant red gloss completes the look.  Nothing sez let’s go to the...  Nothing sez let’s go to the beach better than Ken and Marie Copeland’s customized ’47 GMC in copper pearl.  Sporting a 3-inch chop and...  Sporting a 3-inch chop and 2-inch channel, Elisha Jones’ ’48 Chevy featured an impeccable body topped with DuPont Blazin’ Copper glimmer.  They don’t come much nicer...  They don’t come much nicer than James Minor’s original light blue and white ’72 Chevy Suburban with just over 31,000 miles on the clock.  Randy Kopp’s owner-built ’46...  Randy Kopp’s owner-built ’46 Chevy gets its thump from a built 350ci V-8 while a Fatman IFS soaks up the bumps as it rolls on vintage American Racing Daisy wheels.  Lowered with RideTech bags,...  Lowered with RideTech bags, dropped spindles, and a rear C-notch, Steve Mason’s ’64 Chevy Suburban still runs its original 292ci 6-banger linked to a TH400 trans.  The sun really lit up Peppi...  The sun really lit up Peppi Paluzzi’s PPG Burnt Orange ’72 Chevy C10, packed with a 502ci Chevy V-8, Hotchkis suspension, and Coys C-56 wheels.  Perched on a tube chassis...  Perched on a tube chassis with a mild body channel, Courtney Accipiter’s ’57 Chevy has a ’91 Corvette V-8 linked to a 700-R4 for power, accented by a Viper Red body.  Initially owned by a Fire...  Initially owned by a Fire Department, Bruce Erwin restored this 27,000-mile ’54 Ford F-100 panel to its original glory, including its 272ci mill.  Jeff Taylor’s ’72 Chevy Cheyenne...  Jeff Taylor’s ’72 Chevy Cheyenne Super 10 longbed featured a blue and white houndstooth bench interior with a B&M shifter, and rolled on classic Cragar S/S wheels.  You don’t see many ’51 Dodge...  You don’t see many ’51 Dodge haulers, especially one as nice as Rich Gengo’s with its late-model Mopar V-8, custom interior, bright-blue metallic body, and Pro Street rubber.  With just enough chrome accents,...  With just enough chrome accents, Thomas Mullins’ ’50 Ford looked stellar with a deep blue pearl body, tan leather split-bench interior, and American Racing five-spokes.  If you’re an artist there’s...  If you’re an artist there’s no better way to showcase your work than on your own shop truck. Dane Geesey’s ’48 Chevy looked just plain killer with its intricate flame job.  Throughout the weekend great...  Throughout the weekend great weather made it perfect for cruising the inlet as well as the strip to visit countless shows along the route.
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