For the past 19 years, event promoter David Cohen has dedicated his time and efforts to not just kicking off the East Coast's indoor show season in grand style, he has also managed to meld our automotive passions with the chance for everyone attending to give back to one of the most celebrated holiday causes this country has to offer.
When David contacted the United States Marine Corps years ago to offer his assistance in working with them to help supply donations for their coveted Toys for Tots campaign, a union was born enabling our hobby a chance to bring smiles to children in need during the holiday season.
To create an exclusive feel to the event, David hand picks and personally invites each of the hot rods, customs, muscle cars, and classics to the show. Hitting the road in his personal '48 Pontiac, he travels close to 15,000 miles each year across 12 states to events and cruise nights looking for what he considers the best of the best to assemble a dramatic grouping of cars that would make attendees remember his show all year long.
Held at the Cow Palace within the Maryland State Fairgrounds, the venue offers an old-timey feel recalling bygone days where simple buildings were used to gather a group of bitchin' cars for a cool weekend get together. This year there were close to 300 cars in attendance, encompassing numerous build-styles in both the hot rod and custom classes. Throughout the weekend the festive atmosphere and presence of Marine Reservists from the 4th Combat Engineering Battalion in Parkville, Maryland, brought home the warmth of the cause as they participated in both the live auction (which included three personally-signed RC models from Chip Foose and Ride Makerz) and gathered donations for Toys for Tots. Add a great swap meet area, plenty of tasty food, tunes spun by DJ Mac Thomas, and perfect (but cold) weather, and you have a recipe for a great time. If you were in town for the weekend you could have also taken a short hop to Baltimore for even more festive entertainment to check out the Radio City Rockettes who were kicking it up in full regalia.
By the time the show drew to a close, the awards presentation of custom designed trophies by Amanda Gianotti of Allogram, Inc. wrapped up a great weekend. For the Marine Corps and Toys for Tots, it was another successful experience where $16,000.00 was raised and 100 new toys were donated. Through dedication over the past 19 years the show has donated over $750,000.00 to numerous charitable causes, including Toys for Tots, which is just plain amazing. You can check it all out at www.eastcoastindoornats.com.
The '33 Willys, Kracklin'...
The '33 Willys, Kracklin' Rose, owned by Al and Don Nosse took home Best of Show. A 520ci Keith Black Hemi by Doug "Cookie" Cook, chassis by Lil' John Buttera, and heavily modified steel body.
Nothing screamed nostalgia...
Nothing screamed nostalgia more than Dick Railing's Deuce five-window with its perfectly-proportioned chop, '57 Chevy Aztec Copper spray-job, red split 'bones, and '59 Corvette 283ci V-8 linked to a Powerglide.
Mark Engelskirch's '42 Chevy...
Mark Engelskirch's '42 Chevy hauler had it all from a heavily hammered lid, to a Weiand-urged 6-71 huffed small block topped with six deuces, a bobbed bed, and rolling on traditional wires.
Having served duty delivering...
Having served duty delivering plenty of Coke in New York City from '36 through '41, Jerry Kurtz' restored '39 Studebaker commercial delivery truck has a top speed of 35 mph and is one of six known to exist on the road today.
This was one event with plenty...
This was one event with plenty of cool customs on the floor such as Richard Warnsmann's '52 Chevy that sports a mild shave, lipstick red vibe, dual frenched antennas, and flipper caps.
Mary Contrino's '31 Ford pickup...
Mary Contrino's '31 Ford pickup features a Vertex-sparked built Flathead, Winters quick-change, whitewall slicks, Moon caps, and polished peach suede body.