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The 2010 Carlisle Truck NationalsThe 20th Annual All-Truck Get-Together From the March, 2011 issue of Custom Classic Trucks By David Miller
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The 20th Annual Carlisle Truck Nationals was held August 6th-8th at the Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Fairgrounds. This is one of 10 annual events held by Carlisle Events at the 102-acre facility. If you are a truck guy, and you live in the Northeast, this is a must-attend event. Where else can you see custom classic trucks, restored classics, frame-dragging mini trucks, lifted or lowered 4x4s, and tricked-out big rigs all at the same venue? Such a mix of subcultures at one event is unique. In last year's coverage of this show, we characterized the venue as a "melting pot of truck subcultures." Ditto for 2010; things were cooking again. As I worked my way around the show field, talked with truck owners and photographed their trucks, I again observed a high level of interaction between truck folks of all genres. This really is a meeting ground for truck lovers of all kinds. Folks were kicking back and having a great time, a lot of interesting engineering was on display, and it was easy to have a good conversation about some unique aspect of a build. In addition to some 2,000 trucks on display, the show always features a great swap meet area with vendors showing up with lots of solid old metal. Given the area's winters and the prodigious amounts of salt laced on the highways, quality material is often difficult to locate. This is the place where builders can find a good selection of replacement parts at reasonable prices. The event's "car corral" is also a great source for solid project trucks. Every year there are a couple "barn find" trucks that are offered for sale, but you'll need to show up early to snag one of these. Also, since many truck owners attend the show every year, you can follow the progress of their builds. For example, last year's coverage included a former trick mini-truck owner's '65 Chevy C10 rails on the ground "build-in-progress." We had to push it off his trailer so that I could photograph it. This year, although it's not quite finished, he drove it to the show. As you'll see in the photo, his truck is coming together quite nicely. Logistics for attending the show are straightforward. There are many motels in the area, or should you prefer, campgrounds that are conveniently located. The 2011 Carlisle Truck Nationals will be held August 5th-7th. More information about the event can be found at www.CarlisleEvents.com. At this same site you can find details about Carlisle's annual spring and fall swap meets, which are legendary for the selection of material offered to custom car and truck builders.  We saw Jason Hayes' '65 Chevy...  We saw Jason Hayes' '65 Chevy C10 at last year's show. He'd worked out most of its engineering based on his S-10 mini-truck experience, but we had to push it off the trailer to photograph it. The bed was covered with a sheet of plywood and the bodywork remained to be started. It's clearly still an on-going work but she's a driver; the bodywork is done, and a nice wood bed is installed. The interior remains to be sorted out, yet it's already clear that this is going to be a truly unique ride. This kind of genre "crossover" keeps things interesting.  Fred Neidigh's '53 F-100 is...  Fred Neidigh's '53 F-100 is powered by a '67 Corvette 327 hooked to a 350 Turbo tranny. The front end is a '76 Camaro clip and the rearend is a 9-inch Ford.  We see our fair share of early...  We see our fair share of early Ford roadster pickups, but it's extremely rare to see one of their Chevrolet brethren. It looks like a factory job, but we weren't sure if they made a roadster/convertible pickup as late as 1946 or in general for that matter! We look forward to your letters.  Robert Moore bought this Custom...  Robert Moore bought this Custom Deluxe Fleetside in 1971 and drove it for more than 20 years. After his son drove it into the garage, Robert parked it. In 2000, he began a complete rebuild and got it back on the road three years later.  Carlisle's swap meets continue...  Carlisle's swap meets continue to be one of the best sources for old metal in the Northeast. If you need an original replacement part, chances are that you can find it, or get a good lead for locating it, in the swap area.  Twenty-one-year-old Tyler...  Twenty-one-year-old Tyler Parker has owned this '70 Chevy CST 10 8/400 longbed for four years. There are not many of these around. Tyler got it from his uncle; it was originally his grandfather's truck.  There were many sharp looking...  There were many sharp looking trucks in the Car Corral. This First Series Chevy was trailered in, but she could have been driven home for a lot less than it would cost to duplicate her build.  "It's a driver," says John...  "It's a driver," says John Walker. His 1970 Chevy C10 runs a 350/700R4, a Blazer front clip, a 3.56 rear end, power brakes, Classic instruments and Flowmaster exhausts.  This green '67 C10 stepside...  This green '67 C10 stepside was offered up at $7,995. A six-cylinder backed by a three-speed could make way for a hi-po V-8 or be left as-is for a nice gennie ride.  Take a close look at this...  Take a close look at this '72 Chevy C10 owned by John Moyers from Mathias, WV. Note the Trans Am side marker lights that are set into the front and rear fenders.  In 1991, Dave Conley bought...  In 1991, Dave Conley bought this cranberry red '52 Ford sight unseen for $500. It sat for five years before he began working on it at his body shop in Stony Point, NY. It has the original drivetrain but owes its great stance to a dropped front axle and monoleafs in the rear.  Gay Vreken drove her Kelly...  Gay Vreken drove her Kelly green '47 Ford pickup to the show. Her husband completed work on the cab before he passed away in 2003. It sat for a year then, with encouragement of friends, she and her son Eric went to work on the build. The metalwork on this truck is remarkable. The cab was stretched 6 inches and widened 6 inches and each door was constructed from two doors. Seats are from a Mercury Mountaineer, an ididit column, and VDO gauges on the dash. The frame is custom-built by Progressive Automotive, engine is a ZZ4 Chevy 350 small-block crate joined to a 700R4 Overdrive, 9-inch Ford rear, and a bed from Notrhern Classic Trucks.  Built on an S-10 frame, with...  Built on an S-10 frame, with a Mustang II front end, and a Tri-power 350/350, Don Ruckle's '38 Chevy was one of the more unique builds at the show. Recognize that front bumper? It's from a '34 Ford. Mixing and matching is clearly alive and well.  Bob Linthicum's Peacock Red...  Bob Linthicum's Peacock Red '56 Ford was among the trucks shown at the invitational display. It runs with a 429/350 carried on a MII front and a TCI four-link hooked to a 9-inch rear end. Cushioned by Air Ride shocks and cooled by Vintage Air, this is was one of the nicest F-100s at the show.  William Smith, of Levittown,...  William Smith, of Levittown, PA, found an old dragstrip push truck in Arkansas and went to work. Powered by a 383 stroker hooked up to a 350 turbo, it is supported by a '77 Camaro clip, a custom-made four-link at the back, and Ride Tech suspension. With a No Limit hood kit and suicide doors and Dave Wyeth pinstriping and graphics, this is one fine truck.  For some 25 years, Mike O'Holleran...  For some 25 years, Mike O'Holleran has been scavenging parts for his Studebaker. Powered by a Mopar 318/904 on a '65 Sport Fury sub frame, it is a truly unique work in progress.  Looking for a new home was...  Looking for a new home was this '66 Ford, an ultra-clean two-owner survivor with 41K on the odometer.  According to Jerry and Donna...  According to Jerry and Donna Reilly, their short box '57 Chevy was a trailer queen. Now they drive her to all the shows. With a '79 Trans Am front clip, GM crate HO 350/400 tranny, and a 9-inch Ford rear end, this black beauty rolls on Goodrich 245/60/17s on the front and 270/60/17s at the rear.  Dave Andersen drives his dark...  Dave Andersen drives his dark green '54 Chevy around town and to local shows. A 20-year on-and-off build, he did all the work in his own shop.  This '54 F-100 was Jerry Turner's...  This '54 F-100 was Jerry Turner's senior high school project. His 74-year-old uncle, who was a previous street racer, helped with the build. According to Jared, the truck was from Texas and 99 percent of the parts needed to complete it were obtained at Carlisle swap meets. Powered by a 351 Windsor linked to a C6 and 9-inch Ford rear end. Heidt's Mustang II, Cyberdyne gauges, and Nitro wheels complete the project. What did you drive right after high school?  There were many Chevy C10s...  There were many Chevy C10s on display, but Dennis Rosenberry's '69 was the straightest of the bunch. Engine is a 350 mated to a M-21 Muncie four-speed transmission.  From York, PA, Charles Miller's...  From York, PA, Charles Miller's '65 Ford F-250 began its life as a standard 3/4-ton workhorse. Charles ditched her split rims, bored out her V-8 0.030-over and hooked it up to a C6 auto tranny. The rear roll pan was fabricated from the top edge of a bedside while the color combo is Rangoon Red and Tan Metallic.  Dennis Rosenberry also brought...  Dennis Rosenberry also brought this '75 Chevy Scottsdale to the show. He purchased it for $175 in 2007, and subjected it to a 5 month total rebuild. The craftsmanship on this truck is phenomenal.  We dug Joe Testerman's '54...  We dug Joe Testerman's '54 Dodge Truck but thought a lower stance and a good set of wheels would really transform it.  From Shermans Dale, PA, Frank...  From Shermans Dale, PA, Frank Shaffer built this '48 five-window Chevy with parts from six different trucks. A Camaro clip, 700R4, bed floor from an '88 Chevy pickup, Dolphin gauges, Vintage Air, and the ever-classic Torq Thrust II wheels round out the details.  One of three Advance Design...  One of three Advance Design pickups featured in the Meguiar's tent, Larry Smeigh's '51 Chevy runs a 350/350 combo, '78 Camaro front clip, original rear suspension, and late-model Mustang seats. Larry brought this truck home in pieces; it took three or four loads in his pickup to get it all home.
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The Thinker??? - Haul Monitor
Ryan talks about the friendly badgering that goes on around the shop and overcoming obstacles that seemly pop up out of nowhere during a project....
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