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Mark Giambolvo Named as 2019 Goodguys Trendsetter

Mark Giambolvo of Creative Rod & Kustom was named the Goodguys 2019 Trendsetter during an awards ceremony at the Hot Rod Industry Alliance banquet at the 2019 SEMA Show. The Goodguys Trendsetter Award recognizes rising talents in the hot rod and custom car scene and is presented annually during the SEMA Show.

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Giambolvo has been interested in cars from a young age and spent many weekends going to car shows and antique shows with his parents. Mark’s father bought a ’52 Chevrolet pickup as a father/son project when Mark was just 13 and the young Giambolvo spent countless hours working on the truck, teaching himself as he went. He enrolled in a cooperative education auto body program in high school and gained further knowledge working for custom car builders like Gary ‘Choppit’ Fioto, At the young age of 20, Giambolvo opened Creative Rod & Kustom in his hometown on Huntington, Long Island.


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Award-winning rides soon began rolling out of his shop and within a few years Giambolvo moved to a more spacious, quiet facility in Womelsdorf, Pennsylvania. He eventually finished that first ’52 Chevy pickup, receiving a Goodguys Truck of the Year Early finalist award for it in 2008. That was followed by many more prestigious awards with subsequent builds, including a Great 8 finalist at the Detroit Autorama, a Goodguys Custom Rod of the Year Finalist nod, a GM Design Award at SEMA, and a Goodguys Gold Award at SEMA just last year.

Beyond being a trendsetting craftsman, Mark is a devoted husband to his wife, Heather, and their children. Heather is a true partner in Mark’s hot rodding pursuits. “Even though this is an extremely tough business and it takes away a lot of our time from our family,” she said, “I really couldn’t see him doing anything else. He has such a love for cars and this industry.”

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Congratulations to Mark Giambolvo for earning this prestigious honor. Past recipients of the Goodguys Trendsetter Award include Chip Foose, Troy Trepanier, Alan Johnson, Eric Peratt, Tim Strange, Dave Lane, Zane Cullen, Dean Livermore, Jesse Greening, Troy Ladd, J.F. Launier, Phil & Jeremy Gerber, Mike & Jim Ring, Curt Ukasik, Dave Kindig, Jonathan Goolsby & Josh Henning, Andy Leach, Troy Gudgel, Eric Brockmeyer, and Talbert Goldman.

Editor, Goodguys Gazette

Damon Lee began snapping photos at car shows when he was 10, tagging along with his father to events throughout the Midwest. He has combined his passion for cars and knack for writing and imagery into a 20-year career in the automotive aftermarket, writing for titles like Super Chevy and Rod & Custom and, more recently, working for respected industry leaders Speedway Motors and Goodguys Rod & Custom Association.