The whole vintage automobile market (or vintage anything for that matter) is a thriving multi-million or billion-dollar industry because we, as a people, are sentimental. Well, maybe not just because of our sentimentality, but that and wanting to relive or hold onto the past certainly plays a huge part in the industry and how it got started. We all have our reasons, even those who are merely spectators at a local cruise night-something inside of them made them turn into the local hamburger stand to get a closer look at all the old tin on display. It takes all kinds, but here's a story you don't hear too often.inline_mediumwraptextright31158267/features/1001clt_1963_ford_f1001001clt_01_z+1963_ford_f100+side_shot.jpgTrue

Just when you think you've seen it all, something stops you in your tracks. It's tough these days to do something different and make it look good. Let's face it: Just about everything that can be done has been done to the automobile, and that includes classic trucks. Nevertheless, we (and you) push on and shake things up just when things seem a little stale.inline_mediumwraptextright25802978/features/1001clt_1968_chevy_c10_pickup_truck1001clt_01_z+1968_chevy_c10_pickup_truck+lowered_truck.jpgTrue

One of the coolest things about us hot rodders (be we classic truck or car guys) is our willingness to try just about anything. Sure both ends of the hobby have their favorites like F-100s and '47 to '54 Chevy pickups or the perennial red Deuce roadster for the car folks-but, there are those with a bit more in the way of vision or, might we say, whimsy. As you can see here, Bob Greening is one who falls in the latter category. He sure as heck wasn't afraid to tackle a project that was, some may consider, a bit outside the box.inline_mediumwraptextright25832222/features/1001clt_1948_chevy_loadmaster_coe_truck1001clt_01_z+1948_chevy_loadmaster_coe_truck+front_bumper.jpgTrue

These days it's tough to figure out which of the ever-popular, well-worn-looking shop trucks out there are actually work horses for the business lettered on each door. While most of these pickups aren't actual "employees" of any real or fictitious shops, they are decorated as such for fun, but there are still a few that punch the clock and serve as rolling business cards.inline_mediumwraptextright26834554/features/0912clt_1966_chevy_c10_pickup_truck0912clt_01_z+1966_chevy_c10_pickup_truck+custom_front_grill.jpgTrue

You might have been warned about putting all your eggs in one basket, but what if you put all those baskets safely in a classic truck? Even though Gary Caton's '48 Chevy started out life as an egg truck and anything but classic in post-World War II's burgeoning America, it would take more than half a century to be treated as such. In fact, it was rolled into a barn for 25 years and then forgotten where trees would eventually block the doors and form a time capsule of sorts.inline_mediumwraptextright25627454/features/0912clt_1948_chevy_pickup_truck0912clt_01_z+1948_chevy_pickup_truck+front_grill.jpgTrue

John & Pat Devine
Southern California
1955 Ford F-100
CHASSIS
FRAME:	stock
MODIFICATIONS:	So-Cal Speed Shop, Dirty Howard
REAREND / RATIO:	Currie Tru-Trac 9” / 3.23:1
REAR SUSPENSION:	Total Cost Involved parallel leaf, Bilstein shocks
REAR BRAKES:	Currie 11” drum
FRONT SUSPENSION:	Heidts IFS, Bilstein coilovers
FRONT BRAKES:	11” GM disc
STEERING BOX:	rack-and-pinion
WHEELS:	Wheel Vintiques, 17x8
FRONT TIRES:	Goodyear, 255/55ZR17
REAR TIRES:	Goodyear, 275/60ZR17
GAS TANK:	stock, sealed by Mattson’s, Stanton, CA
DRIVETRAIN
ENGINE:	Ford 460ci big-block
HEADS:	Super CobraJet aluminum
VALVE COVERS:	no-name aluminum
MANIFOLD / INDUCTION:	dual intake / Holley
IGNITION:	Mallory
HEADERS:	Sanderson
EXHAUST / MUFFLERS:	custom / MagnaFlow
TRANSMISSION:	Ford C-6
MODIFICATIONS:	TCI converter
SHIFTER:	modified stock
BODY
STYLE:	F-100 standard cab
DOORS:	stock, one-piece glass
FENDERS FRONT / REAR:	stock / stock
HOOD:	stock
GRILLE:	stock
BED:	modified stock
BEDWOOD:	Doug Miller Cabinetry, raised
BODYWORK BY:	So-Cal, Mick Jenkins
PAINTER:	So-Cal, Sean Dooley
PAINT TYPE / COLOR:	PPG / custom-mix, black
HEADLIGHTS / TAILLIGHTS:	Cibie halogen / ’53 F-100
OUTSIDE MIRRORS:	stock
BUMPERS:	stock, relocated
INTERIOR
DASHBOARD:	stock
GAUGES:	stock, redone by United Speedometer, Riverside, CA
AIR CONDITIONING:	Vintage Air
SOUND SYSTEM:	Kenwood/ARC Audio by Audio Shoppe, Riverside, CA
STEERING WHEEL:	stock
STEERING column:	stock
SEAT:	stock, redone by Gabe Lopez
UPHOLSTERY BY:	Gabe Lopez, Bloomington, CA
MATERIAL / COLOR:	basket-weave vinyl / black
CARPET:	black short-loop

Wish Granted
Reader Scott Lepping from Green Lane, Pennsylvania, sent an email with some pictures of his '48 GMC five-window pickup.inline_mediumwraptextright26836771/features/0912clt_1948_gmc_five_window_pickup_truck0912clt_02_z+1948_gmc_five_window_pickup_truck+front_grill.jpgTrue

It probably wasn't long after the first delivery vehicle rolled out of a coachbuilder's shop that a sign painter went at its side with a brush.inline_mediumwraptextright25703258/features/0912clt_1937_ford_2_1_2_ton_flatbed_truck0912clt_01_z+1937_ford_2_1_2_ton_flatbed_truck+chicago_beer_truck.jpgTrue

Up until this particular project, NorCal resident Eddie Ames was more likely found behind the wheel-or better yet, beneath the hood wrenching and tuning-of a 5.0L Mustang. When asked "why" he chose an F-1 pickup, or rather this particular one, he initially said it was due to it already having a Mustang II frontend, but later admitted the "big, bubbly fenders" had a lot to do with it. Well, regardless of whether it was aesthetically or mechanically motivated (we're pretty sure the transplanted 283 Chevy played no part!), the fact of the matter is that he chose a classic truck, period.

In 1949, three years after first establishing South Lamar Automotive in Austin, Texas, Francis Reissig went down the street to Capitol Chevrolet to purchase a new 3100 Series pickup. Whether or not he realized it at the time is unclear, but that five-window would end up serving as much, much more than just a shop truck for the family business-it literally became part of the family ... and still is to this very day.

No matter what it is, when something gets stolen you feel a multitude of emotions-surprise, anger, vulnerability, and helplessness, just to name a few. Unfortunately, none of these feelings will help bring back what was taken and the more valuable the item, the more painful the sting is on the old pocketbook. Back in 1990, Samuel Fernandez of Torrance, California, became the victim of grand theft auto. His '70 Chevy shortbed was shanghaied from the curb of his own house by someone who thought they needed it more than he did. Not only was the '70 gone, but so was the wind in Samuel's sails.inline_mediumwraptextright25627688/features/0911clt_1972_chevy_c10_pickup_truck0911clt_01_z+1972_chevy_c10_pickup_truck+front_bumper.jpgTrue

If you have a Classic Cruiser and want to see it here, email at least six high-resolution photos and background info to the address above, or mail prints to: Classic Trucks, Attn: Grant Peterson, 774 S. Placentia Ave., Placentia, CA 92870.

Around 20 years ago, this old man came into my shop wanting to sell an old truck. So, I followed him back to his place to take a look. Out behind one of his aging buildings was this '56 Ford longbed. I immediately recognized the truck, as the owner had driven it for many years back and forth to work at a rock quarry, which just happened to be near my house. Although the truck was in pretty sad shape, the price was right ($500), so I bought it and drove her home. With its hard mud-grip tires and the trail of smoke it left behind, I'd initially just thought of it as a piece of junk-so it sat behind my barn for about a year, as I tried to forget about it.

While attending a rod run in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, back in 1977, my wife-to-be, Peggy, pointed out a '56 Ford truck that was so low, its front bumper was almost touching the ground. We both fell in love at first sight-with the truck that is.

When Dewey O. Richardson was 17 years old, a neighbor bought a new '56 Ford F-100. His father, Dewey F. Richardson, immediately fell in love with the neighbor's new addition. The very next week the two Deweys drove about 20 miles west of their home in Sacramento, California, to a small Ford dealership to make the purchase of a similar truck. To get the desired equipment and accessories the truck had to be ordered. Dewey's father selected all the options including a V-8 engine and Ford-O-Matic transmission, while Dewey got to select the color. The color he preferred was light green, but that was the color of the neighbor's new truck, so Diamond Blue became the choice.

Like most people with custom cars, I grew up in the garage. You could say it was in my blood because my grandpa was a mechanic for Chrysler and my dad was an automotive painter by trade. As a kid, I was always trying to help my dad with all his projects. The most memorable was his '62 Bel Air bubbletop, but when I got old enough to drive I went through many phases, like lowered two-wheel-drive Blazers and smaller late-model custom pickups.

After helping his dad, Pete, build a '39 Chevy coupe a few years back, Brian Sabo came down with a terrible case of "roditus", otherwise known simply as the `bug" to the rest of us. Fortunately, in this particular instance, Brian wasn't able to shake what he'd contracted, and before long, his condition eventually made a turn for the best, ultimately morphing itself into a '40 Chevy pickup--or at least pile of parts that were reported to be that of an early truck.

People's Choice
Dennis Glass from Knoxville, Tennessee, sent in photos of his '57 Chevrolet Half-Ton. He's had the truck for 20 years, but did not start the frame-off restoration until 10 years ago, which took about four years to complete.The truck includes a 305 Chevy small-block, a 700-R4 transmission, and a 3.73:1 geared rearend.There are five-lug discs up front, new bed wood, bedside panels, tailgate, and various other parts all from Brothers Truck Parts.He also installed a Painless wiring system, which Dennis reports was in fact "painless".

Do you remember what it's like to have love and lost? Of course you do. Jim Dorman does. This is his '59 pickup. Naturally it's not his first.

The most striking aspect of the truck may be its exterior. This is a result of many factors--the design collaboration with Jason Rushforth, the hands-on work of Les, his son Robbie, stepson Sean, Maxwell Metal Works, John's Auto Body, and Jerry and Karla Husby. The top was chopped a mere inch, shaved drip rails, headlights frenched, hood pie-cut and smoothed, corners rounded, new inner fender panels fabbed, and the bed was narrowed and fit to the cab, just to name a few of the subtle mods. The centerline of the front wheels were also pushed forward for better aesthetics. The grille was made from airplane struts and custom-machined cups hold turn signal lights from a late-model Harley-Davidson. Maxwell's made the aluminum toneau cover that hides a bed floor covered in 7-inch polished stainless strips and wood caps by Robbie. Jerry and Karla Husby are an older couple who handled spraying and finishing the PPG Corvette Torch Red and black paint. Les says he was very fortunate to find them as they did a top-notch job and were both meticulous and reliable. Mike Lavellee handled the ultra-subtle pinstriping and graphics on the engine cover.

"All these years I've been taking old stuff and making it look new ... and now I've taken a nice truck and made it look old," is how Tim Brogan describes his '56 Chevy. The 45-year-old from Blue Springs, Missouri, has been building custom rods and trucks since he was 16 and doing what he loves professionally for the last 12 years. This past December he joined forces with Jason at Rock's Rod & Custom in Raytown, Missouri, where the two have been cranking out some interesting projects.

Recognized
Well, George, how's this for recognition? His letter says it all: "My name is George Fraher, I live in East Granby, Connecticut. I am a 62-year-old gearhead who also likes to ride. I started this project as a rolling chassis three years ago. I've been on a tight budget so I've had to do all the work myself. It was a frame-off restoration. I plan to change the frontend somewhere down the road. The engine is a Ford 400M that was rebuilt with aCranecam, roller rockers, aluminum intake, and a 670cfm Holley. It has a rebuilt C-6 and a 4.11:1 rearend.I painted it myself and it didn't come out bad for my first paintjob.

Gary Schultz from Salem, Oregon, spent the last three years putting together this '55 Ford F-100--all by himself in a two-car garage! He started with a rusted-out cab and has put together what he feels is a pretty nice truck, and we agree. It has a Volare clip, 9-inch rearend with 3.25:1 gears, a small-block 350 Chevy, Turbo 350 tranny, Vintage Air, one-piece power side glass, and an ididit column.

Trace the lineage of "kustoms" back to where it all began--you'll find a sub-genre that's been there right from the start. That's right, kustom still applies to pickups! Whether they were shop trucks--and let's face it, there's not a better way to promote your business than by having a rolling billboard seen around town--or just kustoms that happened to be commercially inclined, they form an important part of our history, from the R&C Dream Truck, Ala Kart, Kopper Kart, and even the Alexander brothers' Deora. In fact, it was an old stock-bodied but wildly scalloped F-100 painted by Tommy the Greek in 1955 that inspired the appearance of the truck you see splashed across these pages.