Specialty Equipment Market Association

Thomas Dickerson (left) and his dad, Joe Ed Dickerson, pose in front of the 1967 Chevrolet C-10 at the Thomas Performance Engineering shop in Lexington last week. Thomas plans to open the shop in early 2026. (Photo/Neva Drane)

Thomas Dickerson (left) and his dad, Joe Ed Dickerson, pose in front of the 1967 Chevrolet C-10 at the Thomas Performance Engineering shop in Lexington last week. Thomas plans to open the shop in early 2026. (Photo/Neva Drane)

Dickerson’s rebuilt truck shines at show

Thomas Dickerson wasn’t raised in the automotive industry, though he always had an interest in building, whether it was with Lego bricks or his grandfather’s Lionel trains. It wasn’t long before he discovered his passion for automobiles.