Ride of the month

August 2026 Rotm winner (tie) - Jim Maurin

Meet Willard — a 2017 two-door Jeep Wrangler JK finished in Rhino Clearcoat and a Jeep that definitely earns its keep both on and off the pavement. Willard is running a MetalCloak Game Changer 2.5” lift, 35” tires on Black Rhino wheels, Fishbone fenders and liners, along with Smittybilt bumpers and a winch. And this one definitely isn’t a pavement princess. Willard gets used the way a Jeep should — hitting the trails, getting dirty and occasionally coming home looking like he’s been through hell. But that’s part of what makes this Jeep so cool. After a good wash, Willard cleans up just as well as he gets dirty and looks right at home at a Jeep show. Jim says he wasn’t even much of a Jeep guy before Willard came along. When he first saw him, it was his Marty McFly/Toyota truck moment — someone had basically already built the Jeep he didn’t know he wanted. Since then, Willard has become part of the family and opened the door to an awesome Jeep community and some great friendships along the way. And the build is far from finished. Future plans include gears, lockers, 37” tires and a Dana 44, so there’s plenty more wheelin’ with Willard still to come.

July 2026 ROTM Winner - Frank Monteparte

Meet this 1978 Ford F-250, a classic Blue Oval that its owner Frank has proudly had for an impressive 22 years!

Under the hood sits a 472ci Big Block Ford, backed by a C6 automatic transmission. A 6-inch lift gives this old-school Ford the stance it deserves, with 35x12.50x16 tires putting the power to the ground.

The drivetrain keeps things just as serious with a Dana 60 rear axle and Dana 44 up front.

Big block power, classic Ford styling, and more than two decades with the same owner — this is exactly the kind of truck we love seeing in the Patriot Tire Ride of the Month.

June 2026 ROTM Winner - Dan Giancola

Dan’s 1967 Plymouth Fury is powered by the legendary 440 Super Commando V8, backed by a 727 Torqueflite automatic transmission and 3.23 rear gears, this Mopar icon delivers the kind of big-block performance that defined the muscle car era. What makes this Fury even more impressive is its originality. Showing just 44,000 original miles, it still wears its original paint, vinyl top, and interior—a true survivor that's becoming harder and harder to find.

April 2026 ROTM Winner - David Ross

David’s 1965 Plymouth Satellite is an absolute show stopper. It wears gloss black paint on laser straight panels and has just the right stance to let you know it’s not all show. When David purchased the Plymouth 4 years ago, it was hiding a 440 CI big block Mopar under the hood. When the 440 ate a cam lobe, David decided to go all in on his new setup. Fitting nicely between the fenders is a gen. 3 Hemi bored and stroked to 426 CI stuffed with components from Molnar and Mahle. It breathes through a 950 CFM carb on top of a Prefix intake bolted to ported Eagle heads and exhales through 1 7/8” Hooker Blackheart long tube headers. An MSD system handles ignition duties. A TorqueFlite 727 transmission loaded with a 4k stall converter sends all 620 dyno tuned horsepower to an 8 ¾” differential turning 3.91:1 gears. All that adds up to 11.4 second quarter mile times at 118 MPH in a full interior all steel street car. The Satellite isn’t David’s first muscle car by any means. He actively drag raced a 1968 Charger for over 30 years with his dad and owned a few classic Chevys (1968 Chevelle and 1964 Nova) in his teenage years. Special thanks to Jason Holland of Mon Valley Restomods for all his work getting the gen. 3 Hemi nestled between the fenders. Look for David’s Plymouth prowling the streets of Westmoreland County this summer!

August 2026 Rotm winner (tie) - Mark Domeyer

Meet Mark Domeyer’s Chief Blue Jeep Wrangler Unlimited — and calling this one “modified” might be an understatement.

Finished in Chief Blue, a one-year-only Jeep color for 2021, Mark’s Wrangler has been built into a seriously capable rig that combines V8 power, heavy-duty drivetrain upgrades, trail capability, and a well-thought-out overland setup.

The biggest change is under the hood. The original powerplant has been replaced with a 392 HEMI V8, with the conversion performed by America’s Most Wanted 4x4 in Michigan. The HEMI is backed by an 8HP75 8-speed automatic transmission and Rubicon transfer case, sending power through Dana 44 Rubicon axles with 4.10 gears.

Mark’s Jeep sits approximately 3.5 inches higher than stock and rides on 38-inch Nitto Trail Grapplers wrapped around Method Race Wheels 703s. The suspension and steering setup is extensive, featuring Teraflex 3.3 piggyback shocks, Teraflex control arms, front and rear geometry correction brackets, a SwayLOC front sway bar, and PSC hydraulic steering assist. A Teraflex big brake kit helps bring the extra tire and V8 power back under control.

The exterior is just as purpose-built. Trail armor by MEK Magnet complement the rare Chief Blue paint, while Rubicon fender flares and aluminum inner fenders provide clearance for the 38s. Up front is a Next Venture Motorsports bumper with a WARN winch, while an integrated rear tire carrier handles the full-size spare. Underneath, Artec and Metalcloak skid plates provide additional protection, with Rock Slide Engineering rock sliders protecting the sides when the trail gets tight.

Mark has also equipped the Jeep for spending some serious time away from pavement. A Long Range America auxiliary fuel tank adds extra range, while the cargo area features a Pioneer Platform/Backbone system, ICECO 45L+ refrigerator, American Adventure Lab shelving, 11-liter Dometic water jug, and a tailgate table.

It’s an impressive combination — 392 HEMI power, 38s, upgraded suspension and steering, serious armor, additional fuel capacity, and a complete trail/overland setup, all wrapped in one of the most distinctive colors Jeep offered.

Mark’s Chief Blue Wrangler is a great example of what happens when a Jeep build isn't centered around just one thing. It has the power, drivetrain and suspension to tackle the trail, the equipment to spend some time off-grid, and a look that makes it stand out anywhere it goes.

May 2026 rotm winner - Jim leasure

Jim Leasure and the “King of Cool” Steve McQueen share one common love: Highland Green Ford Mustangs. Jim’s love of Mustangs runs deep and long. Jim was the proud owner of an ’89 LX 5.0 Mustang (an iconic ride in its own right) for 26 years. As life changes so do priorities and Jim parted ways with his beloved ride with a promise to his wife: “I will make up for this someday.” In 2019 he made good on that promise. With the help of his friend Bob Popson at Shults Ford, Jim was able to bring home a 2019 Bullitt edition Mustang wearing none other than beautiful Highland Green. It’ stock for now but packing 480 hp leaves plenty of fun on tap. With only 9000 miles on the clock, it’s a gorgeous low mile example of a modern-day pony car with subtle styling cues that makes these cars down right stunning. Jim loves the modern amenities like the crisp shifting 6 speed and soft black leather interior. His only regret is that he doesn’t drive it more! Congratulations to Jim on winning the Patriot Tire and Accessory May 2026 Ride of the Month contest!