OLD IRON RULES OUT WEST
ATHS NATIONAL CONVENTION HELD IN CALIFORNIA
Every year, members of the American Truck Historical Society (ATHS) gather together, at a different location, for their national convention and antique truck show. This year, the event was held just east of San Francisco at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, California on May 27-29. ATHS estimated that there would be about 800 trucks at the show, which turned out to be a pretty solid guess (there was about 775 antique trucks and 25 or so newer rigs).
Very unfavorable and unpredictable weather, which included gusty winds and downpours of rain and hail followed by patchy sunshine and then rain again, kept the outside vendors (like us) on their toes and kept many attendees away from the show on Thursday. Friday still had some cold wind, but the sun was out (for the most part), so more people came. Saturday, with sunny California weather and temps in the 80s, was awesome - the fairgrounds were crowded with truck nuts from all around the world - and many of them got a sunburn.
The event was hosted by five local ATHS chapters including the Central California, Central Coast, Northern California, Redwood and Tulare chapters. With antique trucks going back as far as 100 years and every conceivable make and model, there was plenty of old iron to see. The oldest truck at the event, as far as we could find, was Brad Boyajian’s 1912 Commercial F-5. Some of the other notable (really) old trucks included a 1919 Fageol and a 1922 White owned by Hal Hays, a 1925 Yellowcab owned by Rob Tichy, a chain-driven 1927 Sterling owned by Ronald Waltenspiel, a 1928 Mack owned by Robert W. Brown, and a 1929 Kenworth wrecker owned by Al Fisher. There was also a bunch of unrestored, rusty, old Macks from the 1920s and 1930s on display.
Several old truck nuts brought out more than one or two rigs to display. Some of the larger “fleets” of antique trucks in attendance included Ed Rocha’s 17 light blue and white rigs, Terry Klenske’s 10+ teal green trucks, Ken Talley’s 7 dark blue and yellow trucks (and three others he recently built), and setting a show record was Dennis Chan with 32 of his green and white trucks!
In addition to the great weather, Saturday also featured an antique truck raffle. Attendees at the show had the chance to buy raffle tickets during the event, $10 each or three for $25, to win one of three neat old ready-to-restore trucks. Duane Cameron of Enumclaw, WA won a 1957 Mack 2-axle conventional; Ron Lawrence of San Lorenzo, CA was the lucky winner of a 1967 KW 3-axle conventional; and Norm “The Mack Man” Tauton of Galt, CA won a 1960 Peterbilt 2-axle conventional. After the names of the raffle truck winners were announced, the truck auction was held. Many neat antique trucks found good new homes, and their buyers enjoyed low truck auction prices.
Various demonstrations also took place during the show. There was an antique rock crusher on display, several old engines that would get fired up from time to time, hay loading/unloading demonstrations (using an old hay boom), and RJ Taylor of Ol’ Blue, USA, along with help from law enforcement officials, conducted safety seminars. We at 10-4 Magazine handed out many free magazines and posters outside, while several other vendors inside sold antique truck parts, safety equipment, toy trucks, old signs, etc.
Next year’s show will be held May 26-28, 2011 at the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds in South Bend Indiana. Make your plans to attend now, because this is always the largest and best antique truck show of the year!
PHOTOS: #1) Michael Gully’s 1949 Freightliner; #2) Kurt Smistik’s 1981 Freightliner; #3) Dennis Chan’s 1961 International; #4) Bruce & June Thomas’ 1952 Diamond-T; #5) Mike Hibma’s 1981 Pete & 1966 Fruehauf; #6) George Cape’s 1953 Peterbilt; #7) Richard Mac Innis’ 1958 Kenworth; #8) Dennis & Diann Wells’ 1934 Ford; #9) Jim Dobbas’ 1952 Kenworth & 1952 Utility; #10) Ed Rocha’s 1979 Kenworth & 1979 Wilson; #11) Dan Thomas’ 1950 Peterbilt; #12) Mike Colton’s 1950 White.