The East Coast Large Cars (ECLC) Annual Truck Show, held at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, New Jersey, is legendary for bringing together some of the finest custom working class big rigs and show-only trucks in the country. Founded by custom truck enthusiast Richie Acosta, the event famously lets the participants themselves judge the categories, resulting in peer-voted recognition for elite craftsmanship.
While specific top-10 placements shift each year, several standout styles, truck builds, and crowd favorites consistently define the elite echelon of custom rigs at this specific East Coast event. 1. Richie Acosta’s “Project 350” Peterbilt 379
As the show founder’s personal masterpiece, this iconic rig sets the tone for the entire event. It is a midnight-black Peterbilt 379 boasting an extreme 350-inch wheelbase, powered by a roaring 625-hp Caterpillar C15 engine. Built as a hot-rod low-rider in collaboration with Kansas City Peterbilt, its slammed stance and flawless chrome make it a perennial benchmark of East Coast custom styling. 2. The Elizabeth Truck Center (ETC) Custom Builds
Presented in partnership with the show’s main sponsor, Elizabeth Truck Center, these radical, top-tier creations push the boundaries of big-rig modifications. They typically feature chopped tops, completely custom-molded drop visors, and seamless rear t-bars. Their immaculate glass-like paint finishes showcase commercial wreckers and day cabs looking more like high-end exotic sports cars. 3. Classic 1970s Autocar Dump Trucks
A staple of northeastern heavy hauling, beautifully restored working class dump trucks are crowd favorites. Notable mentions include 1975 Autocar models heavily modified with vibrant custom paint schemes, flawless aluminum beds, and fully polished exhaust stacks. They perfectly bridge the gap between hard everyday work and show-stopping beauty. 4. Vintage Mack B-Models
Paying homage to East Coast trucking history, pristine 1950s Mack B-61 models always steal the show. These custom restorations blend vintage bulbous fenders with modern custom touches, including custom air-ride suspensions, heavy chrome upgrades, and deep metallic paint jobs that respect the original design while adding extreme show-car prestige. 5. Stretched-Wheelbase Kenworth W900Ls
A flagship category at any large car meet, the long-nose Kenworth W900L rigs at ECLC feature highly stretched frames, often exceeding 300 inches. Owners drop these rigs low to the ground and equip them with massive 8-inch chrome stacks, shaved door handles, and entirely custom sleeper berths tailored with luxury interior woodwork. 6. The “Chicken Light” Night-Run Competitors
While impressive by day, several rigs are explicitly built to dominate the evening Sound & Light Show. These trucks feature thousands of custom-routed LED “chicken lights” hidden along the frame rails, under the cab, behind the grille, and around the air cleaners, illuminating the entire fairground in synchronized patterns. 7. Custom Cabovers (COE)
Vintage cabover engine (COE) models from Peterbilt, Kenworth, and International Transtar are highly celebrated at ECLC. Top-tier custom entries usually include fully restored 1980s cabovers featuring intricate multi-color retro vinyl wraps, painted steering wheels, and highly customized interiors matching the external paint. 8. Custom Painted “Reefer” Combos
The show awards spectacular full combinations, where the tractor and the trailer are customized as a singular canvas. The most impressive are the refrigerated trailer (reefer) setups featuring matching custom graphics, fully painted trailer bellies, matching chrome wheels, and hidden underglow that flows uninterrupted from the front bumper to the rear bumper. 9. Heavy Duty Custom Recovery Wreckers
Northeastern heavy recovery units bring their massive rotating wreckers to the show field. These multi-axle monsters feature intricate custom airbrushing that depicts patriotic themes or company heritages, paired with mirror-polished toolboxes and massive overhead lightbars that look both intimidating and pristine. 10. The “Work Horse” Custom Daily Drivers
Highlighting the spirit of the event, the “Work Horse” category includes trucks that arrive straight from the highway or job site. Despite hauling freight all week, these custom daily drivers feature high-end custom paint, personalized interior upholstery, and extensive chrome packages that require hours of meticulous polishing right on the fairground grass.
If you are planning to attend or want to look into specific vehicle specifications, let me know:
Truck show with classic and newer rigs on display – Facebook
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