Lyricist Albert Hammond wrote, "Seems it never rains in Southern California. Seems I've often heard that kind of talk before. It never rains in California. But girl don't they warn ya'. It pours, man, it pours." The rock group The Mamas and the Papas made fame and fortune singing that song. They could have been singing about the weather we experienced sporadically on Friday, March 18, through Sunday, March 20, when the 24th Annual Chevy/GMC Truckin' Nats converged on the Santa Maria, California, Fairgrounds. We say sporadically since much of the time the climate was blustery fine. Knowing vintage custom truck owners aren't afraid of a little weather, we ventured to the central part of the Golden State to check out the pickups.
We're glad we made the trip. The producer of the show, Horse Power Promotions, knows how to stage a family fun show 'n' shine. Along with plenty of pristine pickups, there were automotive aftermarket vendors along Sir Michaels Manufacturers Row. If show participants and spectators were after vintage iron, there were many opportunities to go treasure hunting in the show's vast swap-meet area. There were also ample food vendors to keep the hungry Chevy crowd satisfied.
By covering some of rock's biggest legends, including Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Blue Baron Band entertained the audience well. The lead singer and guitarist had as awesome a voice as the deft handiwork he displayed on his electric ax (guitar). The band's music was even more delicious to our ears than hearing a custom truck start up, and that's saying something, considering the source.
On Sunday, several lucky audience members won raffle prizes from Stockton Wheel, ididit, Goodmark, American Racing Wheels, and Hawaiian Island Shine. The show reached its climax shortly after the raffle, when the Hawaiian Island Shine Show 'N' Shine Awards were presented. Those three days in March, the sweet Chevys in Santa Maria were a feast for all of our senses. Check out some of the trucks that shined in the following photos. Next years' event will be March 17 through March 19, 2006. Once you've seen what you missed out on this year, you'll want to cruise into Santa Maria for the 25th annual affair. For more information on the Chevy/GMC Truckin' Nats and other Horse Power Promotions events, visit www.horsepowerpromotions.com or call (805) 686-2007.
Completed right before the...
Completed right before the show, William "Jon" Quisenberry of Bakersfield, CA, showed off his exceptional '69 Chevy C-10 stepside. He won a solid Second Place prize in the '67-72 Semi Custom category.
Wearing brilliant yellow paint...
Wearing brilliant yellow paint and rolling on rally wheels, a '50 Chevy Stepside, owned by Bud Nance of Atascadero, CA, earned First Place in the '47-55 Custom classification. He also won the Sweepstakes Award in the same category. Congratulations, Bud!
Charles Benda of Redding,...
Charles Benda of Redding, CA, protected the artful paintwork on his '72 Chevy Fleetside with a portable awning. For his well-crafted Chevy he earned top honors in the '67-72 Semi-Custom classification. Charles won the Sweepstakes Award, as well.
Thanks to the Bendas displaying...
Thanks to the Bendas displaying the beautifully executed engine and engine bay of their '72 Chevy Fleetside, we had a rainbow the entire weekend. Their well-detailed, high-chroma engine won Best Engine - Early.
Kyle Brown and Jerry Frost...
Kyle Brown and Jerry Frost from nearby Grover Beach, CA, earned top honors in the '60-66 Modified classification with their clean '65 Chevy Stepside.
Check out the spot-on stance...
Check out the spot-on stance of Ken Spencer's '66 Suburban panel delivery. The judges awarded Ken of Paso Robles, CA, the First Place prize in the '60-66 Panel/ Suburban category.
In the Pre-1941 classification,...
In the Pre-1941 classification, Albert Esquivel's '40 Chevy earned top honors.
Jimmy Roger of Bakersfield,...
Jimmy Roger of Bakersfield, CA, drives his lemon-sweet '69 Chevy Fleetside to the show each year. We captured him doing some last-minute detailing before judging.
You wouldn't be able to tell...
You wouldn't be able to tell from looking at the engine bay in Jimmy's Fleetside, but he drives the pickup a fair amount. There's no doubt he does a great job at detailing the truck.
Purple and white looks right...
Purple and white looks right on James Brooks' '68 Suburban. He won top honors in the '67-72 Panel/Suburban classification, and brought the trophy back to Bakersfield.
In the '68-72 El Camino category,...
In the '68-72 El Camino category, Debbie and Richard Gibbs of Diamond Bar, CA, earned top honors with their '72.
David Garcia, of Santa Maria...
David Garcia, of Santa Maria built a beautiful '48 Chevy Stepside. His truck took a solid Second Place in the '47-55 Custom classification.
Wood was a warm, inviting...
Wood was a warm, inviting theme for David's '48 Chevy pickup. It was craftily used to trim the dashboard and windshield sill as well as within the bed floor and atop the bedrails.
You may think you're looking...
You may think you're looking at a '71 Blazer, but you're actually viewing a '71 Suburban that's had a fair amount of metal surgery. Credit the 'Burb's owner Robert Bates for the sheetmetal magic.
With his delicious burgundy-hued...
With his delicious burgundy-hued '57 Chevy 3100, Harvey Pimentel of Modesto, CA, wows the GM vintage truck fans every year. He won First Place in the '55-59 Custom category.