Denton's annual Pistons and Paint car show has become a beloved tradition, drawing enthusiasts from across the state and beyond to revel in the sights, sounds, and camaraderie of vintage automotive culture. This year's 22nd edition of the event, hosted by the Chupacabras car club, showcased a diverse array of meticulously restored hot rods and "Kustom Kulture" cars, each with its own captivating story to tell.

Revving Up Denton's Vintage Car Passion: A Celebration of Automotive Artistry

A Showcase of Automotive Artistry

The North Texas Fairgrounds transformed into a veritable automotive wonderland, as car enthusiasts and owners from all corners of the state and beyond converged to share their prized possessions. From meticulously restored hot rods to one-of-a-kind "Kustom Kulture" creations, the breadth and quality of the vehicles on display left attendees in awe. "This is a really nice show," remarked Denton resident and long-time Pistons and Paint attendee Kim Howard. "The number of entries, the variety, and the quality – it's just pretty deep."The event's focus on pre-1972 American-made vehicles allowed for a captivating mix of vintage restoration projects and unrestored "project cars," each offering a unique perspective on the art of automotive customization. "You know, they have some that haven't been restored, which is interesting for people that come wanting to see a project, and then others that are in the [vintage restoration] business," Howard observed.

The Roots of Pistons and Paint

Pistons and Paint's origins can be traced back to the early 2000s, when a small group of car enthusiasts, known as the Chupacabras, came together to create a platform for showcasing their shared passion. "We started a car club that had like six guys in it," recalled founding member and event coordinator Bubba Turner. "There weren't that many car shows around back then that I can remember, but we just wanted to have some kind of show."The event's humble beginnings in a chrome body shop parking lot in Garland eventually led to a move to the North Texas Fairgrounds, where it has remained for the past two decades. "I live up here in Denton, not far from the fairgrounds, and a friend of mine had always talked about renting it out and putting a car show there, and so I just went and talked to him," Turner explained.

Embracing the "Kustom Kulture"

Pistons and Paint's focus on "Kustom Kulture" cars, which embrace the counter-culture aspects of hot rodding and car customization from the 1950s and 1960s, has become a defining feature of the event. "Kustom Kulture" cars, as described by Turner, are those that "embrace the counter-culture aspect of hot rodding and car customization of [the 1950's and 1960's]."This unique emphasis on the "Kustom Kulture" aesthetic has attracted a diverse array of car enthusiasts, each with their own personal connection to the vintage automotive scene. "In the 60s and 70s, cars are just ingrained into you," shared Audie Waterson, an Arkansas resident and owner of a Ford Custom 300 who made the trip to Denton for the event. "My uncles both had these cars, so I just [kept] going back to that time."

A Celebration of Music, Vendors, and Community

Pistons and Paint has evolved beyond a mere car show, becoming a vibrant celebration of the automotive community and its rich cultural heritage. In addition to the impressive array of vintage vehicles, the event features live musical performances, dozens of vendors, and a palpable sense of camaraderie among attendees."We always find something," said Denton resident and regular Pistons and Paint attendee Lee Anne Todd. "We go for the band, and then we love the cars, too. Denton has good music, you can always count on Denton for good music."For event coordinator Bubba Turner, maintaining a diverse and engaging musical lineup is a crucial aspect of Pistons and Paint. "I try to make it a little diverse and not the same. Not everybody sounds the exact same, and we've had a lot of different acts over the years, but I am actually kind of proud of all the music that we put out there because I think it's always been pretty solid."

Preserving the Vintage Car Passion

Underlying the spectacle of Pistons and Paint is a deep-rooted desire to preserve the vintage car hobby and inspire the next generation of enthusiasts. Many attendees, like Audie Waterson, are driven by a personal connection to the cars of their youth, and they are eager to share their passion with others."I really encourage young people to at least give it a thought," Waterson said. "Check it out, go to a show. There's something out there that will interest you, I'm sure. Don't let this die. Don't let the Boomers die, and then the cars all get scrapped. But I don't see it dying if [these events are] keeping crowds like this."For Bubba Turner and the Chupacabras, fostering this sense of community and passing the torch to the next generation is a driving force behind Pistons and Paint. "I really encourage young people to at least give it a thought," Waterson echoed. "Check it out, go to a show. There's something out there that will interest you, I'm sure. Don't let this die. Don't let the Boomers die, and then the cars all get scrapped. But I don't see it dying if [these events are] keeping crowds like this."