From February 4-6, 2005, the 55th Annual Sacramento Autorama commanded center stage at the Cal Expo Fairgrounds. Coincidentally, the 39th Superbowl was contested on the culminating day of the Autorama. Perhaps the man upstairs is more of a gearhead than a pro-football follower, for the Superbowl was a snore the entire first half. Show participants and attendees were able to see some of the coolest custom classic trucks, street rods, Rat rods, and muscle machines before hearing Paul McCartney sing some old Beatles favorites at halftime. By the time the Superbowl was starting to be somewhat entertaining, the Autorama awards had been won. Given the choice of witnessing muscle-bound millionaires battling it out on the gridiron or a seemingly endless array of show vintage truck and car finery on display, we have a good idea of what CCT's readers prefer.
That's why we had our running shoes on and camera gear in tow to tour the Cal Expo Fairgrounds. Yes, we could have stayed home and hosted Superbowl parties. We might have eaten and imbibed too much and been more entertained by the new commercials than a boring mistake-ridden football game. Instead, we had the opportunity to see some old friends and make new ones. Also as important, we were on hand to witness the premiere of some custom pickups and other automotive ecstasy freshly finished from last winter's toil in the pro shops and garages of America.
If you were stuck at home watching the big game, or better, at a buddy's consuming all of his beverages and food, find out what you missed here. Next year, we'll wager that the Superbowl won't conflict with Super Sacramento Sunday. The game simply can't compete. However, those Monster.com commercials with the business tycoon chimpanzees were hilarious. Chimps are endlessly entertaining.
Garnering the Truck - Sweepstakes Award was a red and raspberry-pearl-hued '55 Vettabaker. Joan and Bill Meixner of Ventura, CA, took home a large trophy and $500. Their sports car/truck was on CCT's March '04 cover. | 
World-renowned designer/builder/gearhead Chip Foose is the biggest part of a cable/dish television show called Overhaulin'. He designed, and with his crew, built a screaming yellow '52 GMC pickup that belongs to chiropractor student John Park of Los Angeles. The show aired in Dec. '04. |
Roseville, CA, resident Ted Bento owns a '55 Chevy Cameo that appears to have a bit of rose-hued paint mixed in with silver that covers the Cameo's exterior. | 
Earning the Outstanding Paint - Truck plaque was Georgene and Fritz Krauss of Wilton, CA, for their gray-hued '54 Ford F-100, affectionately called "Thumper." The Ford has a 5.8L EFI and E4OD drivetrain, a Corvette C4 IFS, and a Ford 9-inch with a 3.52:1 final-drive ratio. They also won Outstanding Interior - Truck. |
From nearby Elk Grove, CA, Roy Castagnetto brought his '56 Chevy Pro-Street pickup. For obvious reasons, he calls the truck "Plumsik." The 871 blower and 509ci big-block mill makes a ground-shaking 932 horsepower. Thankfully, there's a Ford 9-inch for the Pro-Street meats to put all that power on the pavement. Darin Houston, the truck's painter, went plum crazy with purple. | 
Not nearly as wild, but equally as nice, a '55 Chevy 1/2-ton, dressed in suede green had us dreaming of owning our own Tri-Five truck. Ronnie Brock of Sacramento, is the current caretaker for this Rally-wheeled ride. |