In my opinion, there is one thing to this hobby that makes us different than pretty much every other car genre and that is under-construction rides. It seems to me that this aspect isn’t as accepted or sometimes celebrated as it is with minitruckin’. As I write this, I’m unsure what to refer to our lifestyle/sport/hobby as it seems to be a hot topic of discussion as well. As long as you like your ride as low, smooth, and clean as possible then I think we can all get a long, but I digress.
Setting us apart from other groups is our common appreciation of workmanship. We stare for long periods of time at a mere frame barren of chrome, powder coat, or even paint. Over the past two years, the only thing I have been able to bring out and show is a carcass of a 1969 bronco to display and it raises no questions when it is brought in. However, to most outsider car enthusiasts or random spectatosr, they are more or less dumbfounded by the thought of taking a frame or rolling chassis to a show. I believe I speak for a majority of us in saying that seeing essentially a behind-the-scenes look at a ride can be better than a completed show ride. I’m not implying this is the case with my own personal attempt, but for example, let us discuss a certain Driveway Werks bodied and two-toned D50 with a roof rack.
Right away I’m sure most of you know which vehicle I’m talking about. This truck sticks out in my mind as a project that I’ve been able to watch grow and come to life, but honestly now find myself borderline ignoring it at shows. Please don’t take that statement as an insult; I believe that truck is one of the most amazing vehicles at any show that I have ever seen and it is simply just because I already know what it looks like. Don’t get me wrong, I still look over its subtle details in awe, such as the modified body line on the tailgate, while I’m at the shows but I don’t look over it like I once did. I remember staring at this truck at shows just trying to take it all in, trying to spot any new changes, and picturing in my mind how it would look once it was completed.
 In my opinion, if the ride wasn’t designed and produced well then I don’t care how pretty the wrapper is. Reading that sentence most likely brings a personal vehicle to mind where one has experienced a let- down, and unfortunately they seem to be more common than the well-built rides as of recent. This brings me back to my point of under-construction: What better way to see the undercarriage of a show truck than watching the build-up of the entire truck through a series of shows? It sure beats gazing into a set of mirrors laying strategically under a vehicle on stands all surrounded with stretched cotton batting. Watching a vehicle transform and progress through forums like SSM can only be enhanced by seeing it in person. It’s the next best thing to drinking a cold one in the garage it’s being built in with pure awe. So get out there and support any show you can, and don’t be ashamed to bring a ride you’ve been slaving away on but isn’t done. As long as you have been “doin’ work,” I look forward to checking it out.