PPG Industries’ Automotive Refinish business has released the 2014 appearance schedule of its popular and colorful show truck. The truck, a 75-ft. 2007 Coronado Freightliner tractor-trailer rig, is decked out in a vibrant paint scheme that incorporates the dazzling colors, unique special effects and stunning graphics PPG products make possible.
The truck will begin its cross-country tour in March with veteran PPG driver Chad Hook (pictured above) at the wheel. He will guide the truck to 18 major events including car, truck and hot rod shows sponsored by the National Street Rod Association (NSRA), the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association and other automotive enthusiast groups.
Chad has been with PPG for 30 years in several capacities and has driven the show truck since 1999 covering 30,000-35,000 miles annually. Prior to this assignment, Chad was a member of the PPG Pace Car Team transporting vehicles from race to race. He has been driving trucks for more than 42 years and accumulated more than two million miles before he stopped counting about 10 years ago.
“I enjoy driving and I enjoy cars, so this is a great job for me,” said Chad. “I get to meet a lot of people along the way, and it’s always good to see the PPG reps at each of the shows; we’re all like one big family.”
Despite the fickleness of weather and a sometimes tight schedule, Chad has never missed a show or arrived late. He will usually get to a city the day before an event just to be sure everything can be set up in time. PPG representatives will greet him and help prep the trailer for public display. On occasion Chad will pilot the truck to a PPG Platinum Distributor’s location for a special event.
Chad’s first stop in 2014 will be March 7-9 in Scottsdale, Arizona, for the Goodguys Spring Nationals. From there he will take the truck to 12 other states before returning to Arizona for the season-ending Southwest Nationals in November.
Truck and car fans are invited to visit the show truck wherever it appears to learn more about PPG products and the painting techniques used to create its remarkable finishes. Custom car painters, builders and buffs may find the truck to be an inspiration for developing their own artistic designs. The complete tour schedule follows:
Scottsdale, Ariz., 3/7–3/9, Goodguys 5th Spring Nationals
Fort Worth, Texas, 3/14–3/16, Goodguys 4th Spring Lone Star Nationals
Del Mar, Calif., 4/4–4/6, Goodguys 14th Del Mar Nationals
Oklahoma City, Okla., 4/11–4/13, NSRA Southwest Street Rod Nationals
Kissimmee/Orlando, Fla., 4/25-4/27, Goodguys 1st All American Nationals
Knoxville, Tenn., 5/2–5/4, NSRA Street Rod Nationals South
Nashville, Tenn., 5/16–5/18, Goodguys 9th Nashville Nationals
Loveland, Colo., 6/6 – 6/8, Goodguys 17th Colorado Nationals
Saint Paul, Minn., 6/21–6/22, Back to the 50s
Pueblo, Colo., 6/27–6/29, NSRA Rocky Mountain Street Rod Nationals
Des Moines, Iowa, 7/4–7/6, Goodguys 23rd Heartland Nationals
Columbus, Ohio, 7/11–7/13, Goodguys 17th PPG Nationals
Puyallup, Wash., 7/25–7/27, Goodguys 27th Pacific Northwest Nationals
Spokane, Wash., 8/15–8/17, Goodguys 13th Great Northwest Nationals
Englishtown, N.J., 9/13, US Diesel Truckin’ Nationals
Fort Worth, Texas, 10/3–10/5, Goodguys 22nd Lone Star Nationals
Biloxi, Miss., 10/10–10/12, Cruisin’ the Coast
Scottsdale, Ariz., 11/14–11/16, Goodguys 17th Southwest Nationals
Events and appearances are subject to change.
