Beyond what is known as East or West Coast style, there's another major difference between the two regions and that's the amount of time one has to enjoy their custom classic in the sun. For the West Coast guys there really isn't a time of year to pull their truck down and get it ready for the next season, they run 'em until they drop. On the East Coast, with its freezing cold snowy winters it's an entirely different story. There's a time to build and a time to show and shine.
The 11th anniversary of the Goodguys' PPG Nationals was held on the weekend after the 4th of July and with the exception of about two hours of rain it was sunny all weekend. As witnessed by our photographic coverage the style of customized classic trucks ranged from high-tech street rods and old-school customs to farm-fresh beauties with Q-ship underpinnings. For the folks that were already thinking about next winter's build there was a massive swap meet full of vintage tin and a vendor's row showcasing all of the latest and greatest new goodies. One of the things that really stood out was the overabundance of primo custom paintjobs present. With a name like the PPG Nationals, we guess it was only natural. There's one thing for sure, and that's when the gates to the Ohio Expo Center opened one and all were welcome, including exhibitors from the West Coast.
This Dodge could be anything...
This Dodge could be anything from a '48 to a '51. There were slight styling changes in '52, and by 1954 the Dodge lineup was restyled completely.
Legend has it there was only...
Legend has it there was only 50 small-window GMC Suburban's built in 1955. This chop-top GMC might be an original, or a clone ... either way it's absolutely beautiful.
David Scruggs rolled his '66...
David Scruggs rolled his '66 F-100 in from Virginia to attend the PPG Nats. To see a complete feature on this truck check out www.customclassictrucks.com.
This young man is just begging...
This young man is just begging for trouble. Displaying more than one license plate on a motor vehicle is a felony (or maybe the cop said the plates had to match the registration, can't remember which).
Check out the suicide rear...
Check out the suicide rear doors on this '60 Ford crew-cab. Not available as a factory built model, crew-cabs like this one were produced by companies such as Marmon-Harrington for the U.S. government to transport Russian spies.
What would you call this truck,...
What would you call this truck, a Fudge? A close inspection of this '58-60 Dodge reveals the owner has cleverly grafted on a '57-60 Ford Styleside bed.