With Roger Bennington's pristine two-tone gray '40 Ford pickup, the parade of Truck of the Year Early contestants commenced. Home for Roger and his timeless custom classic is Metamora, Illinois. | 
When bodywork is painted gloss black, you know the exterior panels are perfect, as is the case with Dana Zlrod's '32 Ford 1/2-ton. Sunrise Beach, Missouri, is home to Dana and his ZZ4 350/350-powered Top Five Early pickup. |
Another Top Five Early finalist award went to pro-builder Bob Schumacher of Independence, Missouri, for his awesome '30 Chevy Pro Street pickup. We'll save the details for a future feature. Proving discretion is the better part of valor, the truck's owner wishes to remain anonymous. | 
Well within the Top Five Early finalists was a well-built extended cab '36 Ford pickup. Owner West Martlar of Salina, Kansas, extended the cab 18 inches, created suicide rear doors, and powered the Ford pickup with a righteous 351ci HO Ford engine. |
Earning Truck of the Year Early honors were the Gorczycas, Marcia and Chad, of Dallas, Texas, with their House of Kolor Midnight Blue Pearl '50 Chevy 1/2-ton pickup. Marcia bought the survivor Chevy for her hubby to one day restomod, and restomod he did. | 
In the Truck of the Year Late model classification, the Boruffs, Sandy, Jimmy, and Chris, of Maryville, Tennessee, made the top five with their beautiful '53 Ford F-100 Slant Cab. Their memorable F-100 was featured in the Sept. '04 issue of CCT. It also graced that month's cover. |
With the realistic flame job on pro-builder and owner Todd Boatright's '55 Chevy pickup, it looks like he's escaping the engulfed truck. His truck is powered by a '70 454ci Chevy big-block and wears Billet Specialties 18s and 20s. The Top Five Late model finalist and his handsome family live and work in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. | 
What would happen if you put a 600ci Ford monster V-8 that produces 1,400 hp in a Pro Street '56 Ford F-100? If you did a good enough job, you could win Truck of the Year Late, like Don Hachenberger of Orlando, Florida, did. |
Fresh from the upholstery shop four days before the start of the Lone Star Nationals emerged a '57 Chevy pickup named Amen. Cliff Angelle of Lafayette, Louisiana, owns the heavenly hauler. Of course, it was a Truck of the Year Late Top Five finalist. | 
When was the last time you saw a '72 Chevy longbed that had the perfect stance and was built to a show-stopping, show-winning standard? The answer is right at this very moment. Frankfort, Illinois resident Al Taylor had pro-builder Rad Rides by Troy build the pristine red hauler, a Top Five Late model finalist. |
Scant minutes before announcing the Truck of the Year Early winner, the Goodguys master of ceremonies interviewed the eventual winners, Chad and Marcia Gorczyca of Dallas, Texas. Remember, they own the timeless House of Kolor Midnight Blue Pearl '50 Chevy 1/2-ton. | 
Don Hachenberger, winner of the Truck of the Year Late classification, for his orange and radical Pro Street '56 Ford F-100, poses with his trophy next to another Goodguys representative. |