As I sit composed at my computer listening to some early Ventures and Beach Boys surf tunes of the '60s, ideas and images scroll through the internal gray matter inside my thick Cro-Magnon skull. It's amazing how the brain can remember things in our past in great detail, including the most minute fragments. Having been a custom truck and car early and late-model enthusiast for the past 40 years, I have been involved in many projects of speed 'n' beauty, as well as slow 'n' ugly, and I remember them well.
In the beginning, like many of my generation, I got hooked on building miniature plastic models - 1/32-, 1/25-, and 1/24- scale - as a young pint-sized custom car and truck enthusiast. This activity was a means of entertainment decades before video games, computers, palm pilots, Blackberries, and MTV. Constructing miniature models helped create a three-dimensional visionary mind and developed fine motor skills. Models also gave us the opportunity to become familiar with the components and working parts of cars and trucks. It made us use our imagination to its full potential of creativity.
But, that was then. Now, as the senior technical editor of Truckin' magazine, I have had the pleasure of covering innovative tech articles, colorful show 'n' shines, and photographing some of the world's most beautiful feature trucks from all over the country. During my photojournalist journey I have been able to fulfill my passion of custom trucks and meet wonderful and interesting individuals, which have led to many longtime friendships, from leading custom truck builders to the average weekend garage guy.
Yes, the garage guy here is a guy who has been tinkering in his palace of parts and pieces for years. It might take him 5 to 10 years to create his own custom show vehicle, but when it rolls out of the garage for the first time, the neighbors' jaws drop in amazement. The self-satisfaction and enjoyment of driving a cool custom ride is absorbing, as is acknowledging the smiles and thumbs up as you rumble by envious onlookers.
While attending many shows each year, I am always impressed at the caliber of early and late-model show trucks and daily drivers. We are currently witnessing incredible innovation, creativity, and craftsmanship never before seen in our hobby. Instead of paying the big bucks for a professional builder to deliver a state-of-the-art masterpiece, the grassroots garage guy, with the help of his buddies, will roll out some great, high-quality rides.
Today's aftermarket industry has played a large part in the ability to surpass the custom efforts of the past. Extraordinary aftermarket products have enabled builders and garage guys to take the custom truck hobby to the next level. A major contributor to the success of the industry has been the CNC equipment that allows the aftermarket manufacturers the ability to design and machine components rapidly and repetitively with tight tolerances and precision. Billet aluminum has never been machined as much as it is today, and it provides both performance and styling.
A couple of years ago, when the aerospace industry laid off thousands of engineers, fabricators, and welders, many of them pursued the automotive aftermarket. Bringing their knowledge and visionary skills with them, the custom car and truck hobby has been introduced to new ideas and more advanced capabilities.
Fortunately, we are living in a great time period. The early model classic, custom, street rod, musclecar, and truck market is flourishing like it never has before. Like real estate, restored and custom-built early model vehicles are a great investment that increase in value with time. During the time period of ownership, the enjoyment, experiences, and places traveled become priceless. So, let's enjoy our hobby and keep the good times rollin'.