
World’s Most Beautiful Truck
Another great weekend in SoCal in Pomona, California, as the O’Reilly Auto Parts Grand National Truck Show rolled into town for its second year, showcasing the West Coast’s most stunning collection of trucks, vans, and SUVs. The Fairplex excitedly welcomed over 400 vehicles of every shape and size.
One vehicle stood out among the rows of gleaming chrome and vibrant paintjobs: Ed Ganzinotti’s stunning, dazzling 1956 Ford F-100 pickup. Classic Car Studio accomplished the faultlessness build. Initially started by the late “Fat Jack” Robinson, who had a vision for the build, the project saw its completion after his death in 2020. With its iconic stance, custom wood bed floor, and impressive Jon Kaase Boss Nine 540ci V-8 engine, Ganzinotti was not surprised to be awarded the World’s Most Beautiful Truck honor. He took home a winning prize of $12,500 and a custom trophy from ARP.
Amidst the roaring engines, artistry flourished at the popular Pinstriper Charity Auction. Talented pinstripers created one-of-a-kind custom art pieces that fetched nearly $20,000 for the Volunteers for Veterans Foundation. It was a heartwarming reminder of how a passion for custom trucks can lead to significant contributions to the community.
Reflecting on the event’s success, John Buck, the owner of Rod Shows, couldn’t have been happier. “The passion for custom trucks, vans, and SUVs was evident at last year’s show, and this year was even bigger and better,” he said, marveling at the remarkable collection of vehicles that came together for this special weekend.

Street Rod d’Elegance
The Ken Reister 1932 Ford phaeton became the centerpiece of admiration, taking home the 2024 Meguiar’s Street Rod d’Elegance award at the Del Mar Nationals.
For Reister, “I’ve dreamed about this car ever since I was released from the military,” he shared a note of nostalgia in his voice. Inspired by the vision of Chip Foose and the craftsmanship of Brookville Roadster’s all-steel bodies, Ken seized the opportunity to bring the phaeton to life.
The transformation began with a custom chassis expertly fitted with Kugel Komponents IFS and IRS. After careful body modifications, the car was passed to Squeeg’s Kustoms, where it underwent a breathtaking metamorphosis: a dazzling Candy Apple Red layered over a shimmering gold base.
Congratulations on recognizing Reister and his talented teams at Reister’s Rod Shop and Squeeg’s Kustoms for achieving an authentic high point in hot rod building. Look for a complete feature in an upcoming issue of Modern Rodding. MR