Truck shows have been around for years, and the ones that have the longevity behind them have become something of a hotspot for those to attend. 75 Chrome Shop in Wildwood, FL is one of those hotspots, not only because it is off of I-75 for easy access, but their show falls at the end of April every year, making this a nice show for many to attend to enjoy plenty of sunshine and shiny trucks after a long, cold winter.
2022 marked the 24th annual 75 Chrome Shop Truck Show and a chance to see a variety of trucks, including many you would have encountered if you went to the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, KY in March. This year’s show, held on April 22-24, was presented by SH Tube out of Corbin, KY. Along with SH Tube, a special thanks from 75 Chrome Shop goes to this year’s sponsors: Dynaflex Products, Trux Accessories, Haizer USA, PDI, Realwheels Corp., 12 Ga. Customs, Diesel Life, and Iowa Customs.
I arrived in Florida on Monday, April 18th, to prepare to photograph the trucks that were coming in, as well as the owners and drivers that were already on the lot prepping their trucks. With plenty of sunshine, no one could’ve asked for better weather. Yes, for those not used to the heat, it was hot, but it was the type of weather those in colder states seek out this time of year. As the week progressed, trucks continued to roll into the chrome shop’s parking lot.
By Thursday, April 21, the parking lot was officially marked for show truck parking only. David Farkus and his parking crew set in motion with their plan for parking all the trucks and they did so with most of the registered trucks already on the lot. The layout of the parking lot was nothing short of amazing, with the strategic and uniform placement of each truck.
This show is always a great time with not only registered trucks coming in from all over, but the number of spectators that attend each year, as well. There wasn’t a bad truck in attendance, and what a great group of owners and drivers that were there. Don Wood of DSD Transport out of Denmark, WI came down with three of his trucks, and Hallahan Transport of LaCrosse, WI had a presence there with seven of their trucks. Josh Burch of East Texas Truck Center gave adults and children alike something to behold with the addition of an actual fish tank, mounted in his engine compartment, with some beautiful (and real) fish swimming inside it!
Friday, April 22, was busy with spectators and drivers milling around the lot taking in all the trucks that were there. What we all saw on Friday was just the preliminary of the people that would be on the lot that evening for the light show and what we could have only imagined for Saturday, which is always the day everyone comes to the show. The vendors, including 75 Chrome Shop, saw their share of crowds and steady sales, making this show a success for everyone.
Phones and cameras definitely didn’t take a rest at this show, with not only photos and videos taken to commemorate the event, but heavy posting on social media, as well. Chris Fiffie from Big Rig Videos, accompanied by his son Nicolai, were in full force gathering images and video content to give his viewers plenty of insight about the goings-on during the show.
The last day of the show was Sunday, April 24, with the end of the show being drawn to a close with the short awards ceremony (only two trophies are awarded at this fun event). Josh Burch of East Texas Truck Center and his 1999 Peterbilt 379 “Disorderly Conduct” won the People’s Choice Award, while Bill Rethwisch of Rethwisch Transport LLC and his 2021 Peterbilt 389 hooked to a 2021 MAC LTT tanker took the Prime Shine Award. For those who don’t know, the Prime Shine Award is an award given to a truck chosen by the staff of 75 Chrome Shop. In addition to the two trophies handed out, 13 trucks were selected to be in the 2023 75 Chrome Shop Truck Show calendar. Chris from Big Rig Videos and I were hired to photograph these trucks after the awards ceremony.
The chosen 13 were: Brandon LeSage with his 2019 Peterbilt 389 hooked to a 2020 Wilson; Bill Rethwisch with his previously mentioned 389 combo; Todd Gribble with his 2012 Peterbilt 389 hooked to a 2015 MAC Pneumatic trailer; TriState Vacuum and Rental with their 2005 Peterbilt 379 hooked to a 2022 Galyean water tanker; Adam Johnson with his 1995 Kenworth W900L hooked to a 2012 Wilson flat; Just-N-Time Express with their 2021 Peterbilt 389 hooked to a 2022 Great Dane refrigerated trailer; Joe Manduca with his 2021 Peterbilt 389 and 2021 Cottrell car hauler; Rogers Landworks with their 2009 Peterbilt 389 hooked to a 2006 Fontaine 55 ton; Darrell Estes with his 1984 Peterbilt 359; PMI with their 2020 Peterbilt 389; Lanita Specialized with their 2015 Kenworth W900L; Jose Rodriguez with this 2003 Peterbilt 379; and Cuatro T Construction, Inc. with their 2016 Peterbilt 389.
With over 200 trucks registered and 175 parked during the show, I would say this year’s event was a success. As with each show, it is awesome to see truck show friends and to meet new people. It seems bittersweet when a show comes to an end, but there is always another one on the horizon. Thank you again to the entire staff at 75 Chrome Shop for putting on another great show full of sunshine and shiny trucks. Shoutout to Chris Fiffie for providing the aerial photos of the parking lot in the day and at night. Mark your calendars and make plans to attend the 25th annual 75 Chrome Shop Truck Show April 28-30, 2023. As always, to all the drivers out there doing the deal, truck safe.
