Customer Story: Craig I.
Growing up on a family farm, cars weren’t my dad's or my family's thing. We just weren't car people. Until one day exploring around one of the barns as a kid. Tucked back in the corner and covered in dust, I laid my eyes on my great grandfather's 1939 Chrysler. I was instantly intrigued by the big wide fenders, the big bug looking headlights, the suicide rear doors and the curves. I've never seen anything like it!
The old Chrysler still sits there, waiting for its chance to be revitalized and restored. After that moment as a kid, I was instantly hooked on cars. It was all about matchbox cars, hot wheels and Dukes of Hazzard on TV from then on out. My next love for cars was a friend of the family's 1979 t-top, wine berry over silver TransAm. Which led me to work my butt off to afford my first car. A 1996 Camaro. Which, of course as a 16 year old, I ran the guts out of it and wrecked it. Then, it was a 1998 z28 I bought. I wanted to increase my education about automobiles and the mechanics of them. What made them tick. After high school, I enrolled in Wyotech. Which meant I had to sell my Z28 for an education.
There, I realized what customizing a car was all about. And my dream was to build my own car. After graduating I went on to lead a successful career as a diesel mechanic. And the time came I was not only financially able to afford my dream. But I had a little knowledge. It took me 4 years, lots of reading magazines, car shows. And of course, lots of patience and help from the staff at Speedway Motors tech support and order lines.
I finished my 1929 roadster in 2017. Every show I took it to I won first place I was so proud and flattered something I built from the ground up grabbed so much attention. I even had it featured in a magazine within 6 months of having it completed. After the hot rod was completed I was bored and started searching for a new custom project. Currently a 1950 Dodge truck, and air suspension with a Cummins diesel engine.
I guess what moves me is the ability to create with what little you have. To learn. And seeing what you can build yourself and take pride in. It gets me up in the morning walking into the garage every morning seeing that beautiful hot rod. And drives me to work hard, be safe, so I can go home and follow my passion. Who knows maybe one day I'll get to that 1939 Chrysler that started it all.