ver the last three-plus decades I’ve met some amazing builders—many of whom have become close friends. One such individual is Ryan Reed (Reed’s Ride Designs), who I originally crossed paths with when I was thrown head-first into the world of Fat Jack Robinson back in the ’90s. Since then, we’ve both grown into fine, upstanding adults(!) and both have managed to raise equally admirable sons. Ryan’s boy, Carson, now a freshman in high school, is quickly following in his father’s footsteps—learning the ins and outs of building hot rods the right way: with as much attention to detail as humanly possible combined with top-notch craftsmanship. His first hands-on project, fittingly enough, is his own set of wheels … his very first set he’ll be driving to school once he obtains his learner’s permit (and Pop’s permission!).

ne of the best things about indoor car shows held in the winter is you can indulge in your favorite pastime even if there are 3-foot snowdrifts outside. Though that has been known to happen in Detroit, the weather at this year’s 71st Meguiar’s Detroit Autorama was about as perfect as you’d want it, and tens of thousands of people descended into Huntington Place (the old Cobo Hall) in the city’s downtown for three days of automotive glory.

Last year saw two pickups receive Great 8 awards and compete for the show’s nationally recognized top honor (the Don Ridler Memorial Award), but while this year no truck owner or builder got that close, there were plenty of other haulers of all shapes, sizes, stances, and styles on hand to satisfy every truck owner’s tastes.

here’s nothing better than staying in tune with regional shops across the country for Classic Truck Performance. Frequent visits to many of them gives us the opportunity to follow new builds as they move forward from their basic starting points while focusing on the progression of design elements fused with plenty of custom fabrication and industry-leading parts. Our latest stop brought us back to Chris Cerce Customs (CCC) in Taunton, Massachusetts, to check out the current projects laid out across the shop being worked on, including one particular ’66 GMC pickup receiving the full custom treatment to prepare it for a fresh start this year.

Entering the massive 9,500-square-foot shop you’re immediately consumed by the final assembly area filled with a number of projects moving toward completion. With CCC handling everything from the initial concept embodying a truly contemporary flair perfectly blended with cutting-edge performance from an updated platform and hopped-up LS driveline, the evolution of the GMC promises to be another noteworthy build to roll out of the shop. Shadowed by Layla, the ultimate shop dog, we wasted no time in getting up close and personal with the freshly minted chassis to delve into just what makes it so wicked.