Ten years ago, who would have thought odd-ball early model domestic pickups would step into the spotlight of the custom truck mainstream. If you have been to any custom truck shows recently, then you know the time has come. Sure, we know the '40s and '50s have been riding the crest of the wave for years, with the '40 Ford, '48-'52 F-1s, and '53-'56 F-100s. Then, just as popular are the '48-'54 Chevrolet round fat fenders, that were transformed into the more stylish '55-'59 models.
Who would have thought the '60-'70 Chevys, Fords, and Dodges would be something to get excited about. The main contributing factor for this boom in popularity has been the inexpensive cost. The '40-'50s have become rare and now cost big bucks. The '60-'70 domestic iron is more plentiful and can be had for a lot less. Any of these models, when customized with simple body mods, slammed suspension, and stylish interior comforts, become a very cool ride by today's standards. These '60's-era pickups have become the latest diamond in the rough, considering the inexpensive cost and simple modifications needed to make these babies shine.
Check out the photos taken during this year's show season, and you can see what were once recognized as the ugly ducklings of pickups have come into their own. All it takes to transpose these wallflowers is a righteous wheel/tire combo, perfect stance, simple body mods, and ultra-smooth paint.
Many young enthusiasts are throw-backs, still interested in the ol' fat-fendered pickups, reliving the good ol' days. Again, the initial cost tends to be the major attraction. It's more fun to make horsepower out of cubic inches instead of cubic centimeters, while smoking the rear tires, rather than the fronts, and making horsepower that sounds like thunder, rather than rain on a tin roof.
Each generation usually has its own true hot rod throughout its entire lifetime. My grandpa and dad were into the original hot rods of the '20s and '30s, but my dad was also into the '30-'40s and '50s. My teenage years were celebrated during the '60s and early '70s, and we are known as the Musclecar Generation. After 1972, you might have well been riding your bicycle, due to the gas crisis, ending the mighty musclecar era. To counter the gas crunch, Detroit was developing some deranged models that were a damn embarrassment, and the domestic trucks and automobiles have taken some time to regain their dominance of intimidating performance. Thank heavens for Ford's Lightning, Dodge's RST Viper Ram, and Chevrolet's SS. We have also been blessed with the resurrection of the mighty muscle '05 Mustang GT, redesigned C6 Corvette, and the continuation of the ground-shakin' Dodge Viper. The Big Three are coming back to their senses.
This hobby's older generation has gained respect for the younger enthusiasts with their dedication, talent, and knowledge. Fortunately, the younger generations have been exposed to a lot more advanced technology than prior generations. Known as the computer-gadget generation, their capabilities to download and fine-tune an engine's fuel-delivery system, turbo boost, engine timing, performance parameters, and transmission shift points by simply tapping a key on their laptop is the movement of the future, where carburetors have become obsolete.