Hot August Nights in Reno, Nevada can be best described as a weeklong classic car party where there is always a new Show n’ Shine to see down the block at the next casino. Of course, that means plenty of hot rod cruising time on the street, which makes it fun whether you are driving or one of the multitude of spectators. It is as though you are watching scenes from George Lucas’ movie “America Graffiti,” but this time you’re in the movie. So, you may wonder how good are the customs rides parading around the “Biggest Little City in the World”? The simple answer is, as good as they get! Hot August Nights draws thousands the best show cars in the country including national winners like the Ridler Award, America’s Most Beautiful Roadster, and Goodguys Custom Picks of the Year. Competing for the Barrett-Jackson Cup is whhat brings these great cars to Reno. Although this year is only its second year, it is becoming one of the more sought after for the classic car enthusiast. The initial selection process starts at casinos, where individual show winners are picked. These finalists are then judged as a group, and the field is narrowed to the 5 top builds. With a police escort, the finalist parade across town to the Reno Convention center where they then driven onto the Barrett-Jackson auction stage. The winner of the 2014 Cup was a 1957 Chevy Pickup, named “QuickSilver.” Owned by Alan Beers and built by Hot Rod Garage, the Fleetside Chevy had been a previous “Great 8” in the Ridler competition, as well as the Goodguys Truck of the Year in 2013. Dressed in a two-tone silver paint, every part of the body had been contoured for a sleek forward-angled stance. It’s powered by a 600+ HP Chevy big block, with a fuel injection system breathing through a gorgeous set of red and chrome stacks.