For the past few years we have pointed our compass due east to check out the Darryl Starbird National Rod and Custom Car Show in Wichita, Kansas. As it turns out, the city so entrenched in custom cars also has a knack for churning up some of the raddest trucks we come across.
As we made our way through the front gates we were curious to see what the 52nd annual 2009 show had to offer. After all, we were a bit curious (and should we say worried?) to see what the weekend held, given the economic downfall in recent months. However, as we parted our way through customs, rods, motorcycles, and the like to seek all that has a bed out back we quickly realized that the ever so popular--and rising--truck craze will not be slowed down. For we saw more trucks at this year's event than any previous Starbird show we had been to. Even more surprising, pleasantly surprising we must add, is the fact that 80 percent of all trucks in attendance were nothing we had seen before. On top of that, the quality and creativity of trucks in attendance was far and above what we had seen in the past. Hard times baloney, this show was just another example of undeniable proof that the hot rod truck world will not go quietly into the night.
Besides being engulfed with trucks, the show had plenty else to offer: rods, customs, bikes, and the like. In the middle of the show was also a freestyle motorcross exhibition. These crazy guys set up a 20-foot ramp with a 35-foot gap and jumped over cars. By the way, the ceiling was only 33 feet high, and these guys were backing off the throttle to keep their jumps at near 30 feet in the air. All we can say is we're glad we're into trucks and not highflying motocross kamikaze missions. Anyways, check out this years offering to the truck gods, and if you're interested in next year's extravaganza call direct at (918) 257-4234 or visit www.darrylstarbird.com.
 |  So simple, yet so elegant...  So simple, yet so elegant is the only way to describe Daryl Lucas's '49 International. |  Who would have ever thought...  Who would have ever thought such a plain Jane interior could be so appealing. |
 One of the wildest C10's we've...  One of the wildest C10's we've ever seen is this Auto Artistry-built '67 owned by Jarod and Holly Haselhorst. The truck features an '02 GMC Sierra engine, transmission, and frame. Auto Artistry also fabricated the custom front bumper, rear roll pan, bed steps, and interior. Did we mention it's also been chopped two inches? |  Not only did this dude build...  Not only did this dude build an exact duplicate of the horse-drawn carriage that carried Wild Bill Hickock to the grave, but he even plays the part of the undertaker! |  |