|
|
Southeast Showdown The 7th AnnualAlways Something New at This Event! From the July, 2011 issue of Custom Classic Trucks By Joe Greeves
|
|
Emcee John Jackson chats with... Emcee John Jackson chats with the crowd during the Sunday afternoon awards ceremonies. After presenting the Top 70 trophies, the Best Of’s followed, with more than $2,700 in prize money going to the winners. One of the things that we magazine photographers like best is heading out to a show and finding new vehicles. We often see the same trucks, show after show, and begin to wonder if anybody is bringing out something special. Since our goal is to present you with exciting show coverage and new custom ideas, shows like the Southeast Showdown are high on our list. Show promoter Jon Fulmer continues to come up with new and innovative ideas to attract the best trucks in the area. The big cash prize for the Best Debuting Truck at the event means that drivers were burning the midnight oil to ensure that their trucks were ready for his show. It’s a great idea and it works! We also saw several under construction trucks that were not completed in time for this year’s show but will soon be on the road as well as in front of our cameras. Wandering the rows of the Anderson County Fairgrounds, in Anderson, South Carolina, we enjoyed seeing the great collection of trucks like Scott Young’s Torch Red ’64 M-1. The lone Merc at the show, this pristine ride was motivated by a 514 crate motor, was pumping out a Corvette-challenging 600 hp. At the opposite end of the spectrum was the ride from the Team Tetanus crew. Owner Lee Mathis would caution anyone approaching his rusty ride, asking them if they’ve had their shots! Lots of cool engineering innovations resided underneath the rough exterior. Occupying the category right between shiny and new and rusty and dusty was Andrew Jones vintage Ford, dubbed “Last Chance”. The semi-smooth ’64 had a few ripples on the outside but was equipped with a high-tech air suspension with the components laid out in the bed for all to see. The high-tech theme continued under the hood with an equally unique six-cylinder motor energized by three sidedraft Weber carbs. You never know what you’ll find at Southeast Showdown. Of course, now that Hooters is a major sponsor, everyone enjoyed great food served by beautiful waitresses, providing another dimension to an already well-rounded show. The gals even participated in an onstage game of Twister, adding to the day’s entertainment. Multiple after-parties Saturday night gave truckers even more options. The judging team worked hard Saturday and Sunday, culminating in the afternoon awards ceremony with the top 70 drivers receiving custom-made Plexiglas trophies. Another three dozen competitors collected specialty awards and even bigger trophies. The top debuting vehicles took home more than Plexiglas, finding $1,000 in each of their award envelopes. The Best Club Participation award went to Pebble Pushers, Negative Camber took the Vehicle Quality trophy based on the scorecards of the vehicles they entered, and Twizted Intentions took the Club Quality award. If you like to have fun in a great location and with a great group of truckers, put the Southeast Showdown on your events calendar. The dates are July 22-24, 2011. And, if the timing is right to introduce your newest creation, you might come away from this weekend party with some extra cash in your pocket. Check out www.southeastshowdown.com for more details. Show promoter, Jon Fulmer would like to thank the team that made it all possible, beginning with Mom and Bob, Cagney, John Jackson, Logan, and Lucas. Great sponsors also helped to make it possible. Thanks to Hooters, Palmetto Rod Worx, Stylin’ Solutions, Air Zenith, PPG, Auto Body Color & Supply, Auto Extremes, and Strada Wheels. As always, a portion of the proceeds went to the End Alzheimer’s Association. CCT  Hooters was an event sponsor,...  Hooters was an event sponsor, bringing not only good food for the more than two thousand spectators, but also serving it with the beautiful Hooters girls. Just for fun, the gals engaged in a game of Twister for the crowd. Based on the number of volunteers from the audience, we are going to need a bigger board next year!  Few things attract a bigger...  Few things attract a bigger crowd than the smell of burning rubber and clouds of white smoke in the air. Several vintage trucks held their own against modern counterparts, putting on a show for the crowd and keeping the local tire distributors open late!  Sam Turner, owner of Sam’s...  Sam Turner, owner of Sam’s Garage in Roebuck, South Carolina, displayed his Chevrolet Five-Window, also getting close to completion. Already painted and Corvette-powered, the truck will be a trophy magnet when it’s complete.  Jeff Hibbs’ bright red GMC...  Jeff Hibbs’ bright red GMC debuted at the Showdown last year and came back this year to win Best Fullsize Truck.  Hooters was the event sponsor,...  Hooters was the event sponsor, and there’s just something about vintage trucks that attracts pretty girls.  A member of Freedom of Expression...  A member of Freedom of Expression CC in Baldwin, Georgia, Jason Shook entered his customized ’72 Cheyenne C10 into the competition.  Painted Fire Engine Red and...  Painted Fire Engine Red and rolling on 20-inch Infinity rims, the lowered truck uses a modern 350/350 powertrain.  There is a lot going on with...  There is a lot going on with Jason Hayes and his under-construction ’65 Chevy C10. Working on the truck in his spare time, Jason body dropped it one inch, Z’d the front clip four inches, and added big 22-inch rims along with a modified 350/350 power train. A ContiTech air spring suspension brings it up to drive height.  From Yorktown, Virginia, Richard...  From Yorktown, Virginia, Richard Harrell displayed his conservatively customized 1974 Ford F-100, painted Dove Gray and achieving its low altitude thanks to Air Ride Technologies and DJM suspension components. The 5.0L V-8 powering the truck came from a 1994 Mustang.  Event sponsor, Palmetto Rod...  Event sponsor, Palmetto Rod Worx, displayed their work-in-progress, a five-window that owner/builder Chris Dunn hopes to have finished by next spring. Custom metalwork was everywhere and the future shop truck was already drawing crowds!  A member of Outlaw Trucks...  A member of Outlaw Trucks in Hickory, North Carolina, Scott Young displayed the only Mercury at the show. Built in his garage, the highly modified Torch Red ’64 M-1 is powered by an SVO crate motor, stroked to 514 CID and pumping out 600 hp. A No Limit four-bar rear and Fatman Mustang II front suspension guarantee modern handling.  From Morristown, Tennessee,...  From Morristown, Tennessee, Seth Biggs displayed his blue and white customized 1966 Chevy C10. Custom trucks and pretty girls always make the perfect photo opportunity. That’s Amy adding a bit of visual excitement.  For a little change of pace,...  For a little change of pace, this vintage Chevrolet was done up lowrider-style. Shaved door handles, tiny spoke wheels, custom murals and pinstriping, along with a multipump hydraulic system put this one in a class by itself. Rosie Rodriguez is the owner.  While it might look like it’s...  While it might look like it’s under construction, if you chat with owner Andrew Jones about his vintage Ford, he will tell you that it is “Done and Done!” Equipped with a high-tech air suspension and a straight-six motor fed with three sidedraft Weber carbs, the ’64 is named Last Chance.  Half the fun of getting a...  Half the fun of getting a trophy was having it presented to you by one of the beautiful Hooters girls. The custom-made Plexiglas trophies were made by show promoter Jon Fulmer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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....
more
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|