08/14/2026
Every vehicle has a story, and this year's featured trucks on the 2026 Dave Kunkel Cruise-In T-shirt tell a story that goes far beyond chrome, paint, and horsepower. It's a story of family, dedication, friendship, and a shared passion for classic trucks.
The two featured vehicles belong to Matt Dillon of Wabash, Indiana, and Brian Vaughn of Thorntown, Indiana. While each truck has its own unique history, the owners have formed a friendship through the Dave Kunkel Cruise-In that perfectly represents the spirit of the event.
🟥 Matt Dillon's 1967 Chevrolet C10
For Matt Dillon, the Dave Kunkel Cruise-In has been part of his life for quite a while, being a 20-year participant. His love for vehicles began when he was about 4 years old, traveling regularly with his father to Kentucky to buy and sell vehicles.
That passion eventually led him to his dream project of restoring a 1967 Chevrolet C10. After making a promise to his father before his passing in 2003 that he would one day build the truck, Matt set out to find the perfect starting point. In 2006, he located an all-original truck in Texas and began what would become a five-year frame-off restoration.
The project became more than just a truck rebuild. Matt's two sons were only 3 and 9 years old when the work began, and they spent countless hours in the garage alongside their dad and his friends. Matt got to recreate the same kinds of memories with his boys that he had with his dad.
One of Matt's favorite parts of the Dave Kunkel Cruise-In is reconnecting with long distance friends, making new friendships, and enjoying the atmosphere of his hometown.
Being selected for the 2026 Cruise-In T-shirt is especially meaningful because his truck will be featured alongside that of one of his closest friends in the car community, Brian Vaughn.
🟩 Brian Vaughn's 1955 Chevrolet 3100
Brian Vaughn's journey to the Dave Kunkel Cruise-In began in 2019 when long-time Cruise-In committee member Dick White approached him at the World of Wheels show in Indianapolis and encouraged him to bring his truck to Wabash.
After attending for the first time, Brian was hooked.
His love of vehicles dates back to his high school years when he attended vocational school for auto body and owned several lowrider trucks. In 2008, Brian's uncle gifted him a 1955 Chevrolet 3100, describing it as little more than an old rusty farm truck.
Over the next decade, Brian transformed that truck into the show-quality vehicle it is today, spending countless hours restoring it in the barn at his home.
For Brian, however, the Dave Kunkel Cruise-In is about much more than the vehicles on display. For the past seven years, attending the show with his father has become a cherished tradition. After Brian's mother became ill, his father spent much of his time caring for her and wasn't able to travel as often, thinking he would miss the cruise-in this year. Following her passing in May, Brian and his father will once again attend the Cruise-In together.
☀ A Friendship Built Through the Cruise-In
"We both say this is our favorite car show," Brian said. "We've taken the truck out of state, and this is still our favorite show. The people in Wabash are always super friendly."
Matt and Brian first met at the Dave Kunkel Cruise-In in 2019 and have reunited each year since. What started as a shared interest in classic trucks quickly developed into a lasting friendship.
"We have a lot of similarities and tease each other like we're brothers from another mother," Matt said. "It's nice to see the similar relationship Brian and his dad have that my dad and I once had."
Their friendship, built through a common passion for vehicles and strengthened by years of Cruise-In weekends, makes their appearance together on the 2026 Dave Kunkel Cruise-In T-shirt even more special.
While the trucks themselves are impressive, the real story is about the people behind them. Matt and Brian embody the heart of the Dave Kunkel Cruise-In of family traditions, lifelong friendships, and a passion for classic vehicles that continues to bring people together year after year.
~ The Dave Kunkel Cruise-In is an annual car show in Wabash, Indiana, that raises funds for ALS research in honor of Dave Kunkel. Don’t miss the 27th annual Cruise-In on Friday, August 21 (3 p.m. to 9 p.m.) and Saturday, August 22 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.).
