Chad Griffin

Front End February

If you haven’t flipped your GSI Calendar to February yet...go do it NOW!

February’s Article Feature is Chad Griffin with his 1956 GMC. Chad is an old car enthusiast with a love for all things “old and cool”. Not only is he a part of the car community, but he is a family man. Chad and his wife of 23 years, Pam, live in Asheville, North Carolina with their two daughters, Chloe and Charley.

Chad’s eye for old vehicles doesn’t stop with trucks. He has a fond love for Volkswagen Vans and Bugs as well! His first build start to finish that he completed himself was a 1974 Volkswagen Van. He bought the van in 2009 and he said it was ROUGH. His daughters said they would never be caught in that van. After lots of time and TLC, the van was ready and stayed in the family for 6 years.

Since then, Chad has had several other projects ranging from a lowered VW Bug, numerous Vans, and several different trucks. Chad loves that in old vehicles, there is something for everyone. He says you can have your own style and not everyone has to like it, but that’s okay because it’s yours and every enthusiast can appreciate and respect the time and detail that goes in to each build. Chad’s favorite thing about the vehicles is that he can enjoy them with his family.

Chad’s current collection includes a white 1968 VW Van and the 1956 GMC from our calendar. This patina stepside was built by HeeHaw Customs in St. Mary, Florida. No detail was missed in the making of this build. This GMC sits on a GSI front end, notched 4 link rear, and an Accuair E-level system, giving it quite the altitude adjustment.

You can get an up close and personal view of Chad’s GMC or his latest VW Van on a typical Saturday night at

the Asheville Tastee Freeze, where he and his family do their favorite thing.....take a cruise to get ice cream!! Or try

and catch them at their favorite show, “Run to the Sun”, which takes place in March at Myrtle Beach.

Be sure to leave your comment to let Chad and his girls know what you think!