This month’s creation was built for Tony “Hammer” Giglio (45) of Raceland, LA. Usually, these features focus a lot on the truck, but since this rig, although clean and classy, is pretty stock, we will focus instead more on the interesting life and times of Tony and his wife Pam. Still young, this couple has already been through a lot!
Married to Pam for 12 years, these two have known each other since they were kids (Pam was the girl next door). Pam has two kids from a previous relationship, but they both consider Tony to be their father because his has been around since they were little. Ashley (24) and Darrel (23) are both expecting children very soon – Darrel’s any day now and Ashley’s is due in December. Tony is the third child of Tony Sr. and Terry Giglio. His older sisters are named Toni and Antoinette, so they are all technically pronounced Tony. Whenever anyone called the house, they always had to ask, “Which Tony?”
Tony’s Dad drove a bus for the New Orleans Transit Authority, as well as trucks. Eventually, he became a carpet salesman, which he still does today at 81 years old. Tony lost his beloved mom in 2006. Tony’s uncle was a trucker, and Tony would go out driving with him whenever possible. Tony’s grandpa was in transportation, too – he ran moonshine! Pam has a trucking past, as well. After her dad retired from the New Orleans Police Department he started a trucking company. Pam rode around a lot with her dad and actually learned to drive a truck. Pam’s dad passed away in 1999, and then she lost her mom in 2011.
Tony has a colorful past. Riding motorcycles at a young age, he ended up with a sponsorship from Yamaha when he was 17 years old. Not long after that, he had a terrible crash in Atlanta during a road race that ended his racing career. After that he became a respiratory therapist. He had a passion for helping people, but seeing many sick children lose their battles was just too much, so he left that industry and began hauling heavy equipment. He eventually saved enough money to buy his own truck – a used 2003 Pete 379 with a flattop he called “Caroline” – which he ran until this February. After reluctantly selling her in March, he underwent some surgery that put him out-of-service for almost six months, then he called Clint to order his next ride.
Pam has had a few setbacks in her life, as well. About a year ago she suffered a stroke and ended up on a respirator for 15 days. Basically unresponsive, the doctor told Tony that he needed to get the family together and make a decision about her future care. Over the next few hours, they prayed for guidance and shortly thereafter she began to wake up, asking for Tony. After a year of recovery and physical therapy, she is a miracle – and she gives Tony inspiration and the strength to go on every day. When asked to sum up Tony and their relationship, Pam said, “Tony is a loving father and a hardworking man that would be there for me and the kids, no matter what!” Covered in tattoos, Tony has a portrait of his mother and a prayer she used to recite on his right arm, positioned in a way so that he can see it every day as he drives his truck.
At first, Tony wanted to order a new truck, but Clint convinced him to consider buying one of the custom-ordered trucks already sitting on their lot. Mind you, these “lot trucks” are no slouches – Clint personally specs them with all the good stuff. After some discussion, Pam and Tony decided the 2014 Peterbilt 389 with a 78-inch HR would be a good fit, so they drove to the dealership and got the ball rolling. Equipped with a car-hauler front axle on air, Low Air-Ride in the back, a 280-inch wheelbase and a Platinum interior, the truck was already looking good with its stock, dark blue paint. A few things were done to it, but nothing major – it got a visor, extra boxes and grab handles were removed, Clint’s dad chopped the air cleaner screens, the seats were upgraded, an old school square Peterbilt emblem was added, along with some grille bars, and away they went. After installing a pair of fiberglass WTI rear fenders, Tony hit the road and went “hammer down” back to work.
This truck is very clean-looking and has had very little changes done to it, but it still stands tall. One of the most fun things Clint gets to do is order stock trucks for the dealership’s lot. Over the years, we have featured many of them here in this column. Clint happens to have a few cool ones sitting on the lot now that are available and have lots of potential. If you are in the market for a new truck but don’t want to wait for the factory to build it, call Clint at (913) 484-7768 – one of his custom “lot trucks” might just be what you are looking for to get you back on the road “hammer down” like Tony Giglio!
