(Words and photos by Joe Grippo) – 2014 mark the fourth year of Full House Motorsports throwing the party known as the NorthEast Rod and Custom Nationals at the Greater Philadelphia Expo center in Oaks, PA and it may have been the best one yet. The winter season still has the northeast corridor firmly in its icy clutches so it was time to go inside for a healthy, warm dose of chrome, paint and horsepower. This show has it all. Finely restored muscle cars, nasty street machines, killer race cars, tasty hot rods and everything else a frozen gearhead could ask for.
One room of the expansive hall was renamed Gasoline Alley and was filled with traditional rods, rat rods and old school stuff. Custom trophies were fabbed out of vintage parts specially for these guys.
Pro Street is not dead! Was the rally cry overheard countless times over the weekend as the back-halved brigade was out in force. Tubbed stuff, from the understated to the extreme, was everywhere in the building. Other highlights included Top Sportsman Alley which was chockfull of those awesomely fast and beautifully finished door cars and some local shops and clubs had areas to park together and show off their rides.
Trucks, of course, were represented with examples sitting sky high and others scrapping the pavement. The two wheelers had a strong presence as well with custom builds, restored stockers and pedaled powered entries drawing attention. Gas Monkey got paid apparently as the show brought Richard Rawlings in to hang out for the weekend to take photos and press the flesh with his northeast fans. This proved to be a very popular decision if judged by the massive lines to get some face time with the head Monkey. Add in slot car drag racing with Big Schwag Brett Wagner on hand doing ersatz Passtime style runs plus a pin-up girl contest and it was a great weekend in thawing Pennsylvania. The Grippo squad is thinking of sticking our cars in the show next year.
