Chrome gleams, engines roar, and somewhere in the rumble is a heartbeat. For a lot of men, cars are more than just a ride—they’re memories built on busted knuckles, late-night garage sessions, and stories passed down through generation.
In this tribute to local men and their machines, we salute the guys who never outgrew the thrill of the drive. These are the rides that stuck around—first cars that never left the driveway, dream machines pulled from fields and brought back to life, or restorations powered by family, friendship, and a whole lot of grit.
From a man who still owns the ‘57 Chevy Nomad he bought for $875 in 1971. Another turned a field-find into a street beast, to a son who will inherit not just a car but a passion, these stories are about more than engines. They’re about connection, determination, and pride.
This isn’t just about octane and engine size. It’s about pride. Loyalty. Legacy. Because when a man builds something with his own two hands—and shares it with the people he loves—it becomes more than a car. It becomes part of who he is.
These are the rides that rev our engines—and the men who give them soul.
1953 Chevrolet 3100
CHRIS LONGO - 1953 CHEVROLET 3100
OWNER, CHRISTIAN BROTHERS AUTOMOTIVE
For Chris Longo, the search for the perfect vintage truck was a decade-long pursuit—one that finally ended in Yuma, Colorado. “It belonged to the son of the original owner,” Chris shares. “It still had the Kansas plates from when it was first built and sold in Western Kansas.”
A lifelong admirer of classic body lines seen in old movies and car shows, Chris fell in love with the timeless design of the Chevy 3100. But this particular model holds a unique place in American automotive history. “Because of the Korean War in 1953, no chrome was being produced. So originally, it had black painted bumpers and a color-matched grill,” he explains. “The only non-original parts now are the bumpers and grill.”
Restoration began in 2017 and was completed in late 2020, with a full frame-off rebuild and an emphasis on authenticity. “The hardest part was making sure every component was either original GM or properly refinished to factory specs,” Chris says. “Even the engine and driveline are completely resealed—just like it rolled off the line in ’53.”
More than just a restoration, the truck became a meaningful father-son project. Chris built it with his oldest son, who helped choose the paint color and now loves cruising in it, whether it’s to Imagine Dragons or classic Michael Jackson. “I hope someday it reminds him of family, and to slow down and appreciate life.”
From summer cruises in Highlands Ranch to the Castle Rock Father’s Day Car Show—and even serving as a Christmas photo backdrop at his church—this classic Chevy continues to make memories.
And the final touch? A 1953 Colorado license plate that “puts a bow on the restoration.”
1957 Chevrolet Nomad
DAN VONFELDT — 1957 CHEVY NOMAD | PROMAD
Some guys talk about their first cars with longing, wishing they’d held onto them. But for this Nomad owner, that was never a question. “Before I was even old enough to drive, I knew I was going to keep my first car,” he says. In 1971, he bought the 1957 Chevrolet Nomad Wagon from a coworker of his brother-in-law for $875, and never looked back.
It’s more than just a classic; it’s rare. Produced for only three years, the Nomad is known for its distinct ribbed tailgate, which first caught his attention over five decades ago. The restoration spanned about 10 years, a true labor of love shared with his brother-in-law, Kent Wilcox, who was hands-on from start to finish.
His passion for cars was sparked by three local brothers, Albert, Leo, and Gabe Guetlien, who raced a ‘57 Chevy when he was growing up. That early inspiration ignited a lifelong appreciation for horsepower and heritage.
Behind the wheel, he feels nothing but pride. That pride deepens when he shares the ride with family. “My wife made it possible to complete the car, and now my oldest son, DJ, is just as car-crazy as I am,” he says. “I owe them both.”
Though he’s not in a club, he’s a familiar face at shows across Pueblo and Castle Rock. And reactions from onlookers make it all worthwhile, especially when someone says, “My dad had one,” or, “I drove one in high school.”
If there’s a soundtrack to this story, it’s CCR’s “Ramble Tamble,” blasting as PROMAD rolls down the road—a nod to its pro-street styling and the decades of memories it carries.
1929 Dodge Brothers Sedan
JOSH DEXTER — 1929 DODGE BROTHERS SEDAN | POVERTY FLATS RAT ROD
After years of building cars from the ’50s and ’60s, this builder was ready for something earlier, and a search led him to a steel-bodied 1929 Dodge Brothers sedan in Pueblo. What began as a frame and a load of mismatched parts became a custom rat rod packed with personality. This car is more than metal; it’s a nod to American history. He often reflects on everything this car has “lived through”—the stock market crash, Prohibition, the Great Depression—giving it a soul beyond the build.
Influenced by his father, a talented welder and mechanic who was always helping buddies wrench in the garage, he brings the same energy to this ride. What makes the Dodge unique? It was a blank canvas, freedom to get weird. Bullet casings, brass stitches, spider webs, pinstriping, and a custom “Poverty Flats” logo (an homage to his childhood neighborhood) give it an edge that turns heads and sparks conversation.
The build took ten months, fueled by long, cold winter nights to make the deadline for his favorite show, Hot Rod Rock & Rumble. The rush was intense, but worth it. His wife loves the car too, often driving it to shows and calling it ‘a big go-kart’—just like the one from the classic children’s book Go Dog Go!
Now a proud prospect of the Junkies Car Club, he’s found a community that values family, charity, and great cars. Though he enjoys car shows, he’s a “go guy” at heart—burnouts, drag races, and oval laps are where he thrives. Reactions range from curious stares to compliments like, “I usually hate rat rods, but this one’s done right.” And that’s just the way he likes it.
“Built with pride, driven by heart and history.”
“I hope one day it reminds him to slow down and appreciate life—just like this truck does every time we’re behind the wheel together.”
“My wife made it possible to complete the car, and now my oldest son, DJ, is just as car-crazy as I am.”
“This car’s a rolling history lesson—gangsters, the Depression. Now it’s got bullets, brass, and spiderwebs. Like me, it’s not for everyone.”