For the third year in a row, Sandvik Trucking took top honors at the “Coolest Trucks” show, held on May 30-31, 2003, in Stockton, California. The 3rd annual event, hosted by Bob Hitchcock of Cherokee Truck Parts, saw almost 100 trucks, old and new, invade Bob’s large parking lot (and his neighbor’s) for a fun weekend of trucks, food and sun.

The event, as usual, kicked off Friday night with a spectacular light show that stopped traffic on adjacent Highway 99, as distracted motorists tried to make their way home before bedtime. Foot traffic at the show on Friday night most likely exceeded even Saturday’s turnout, with many spectators probably wanting to escape the daytime heat and marvel at the magnificent lights many of the rigs were adorned with.

With temperatures in the upper 80’s, it was hot but not unbearable as spectators made their way around Bob’s parking lot on Saturday, enjoying the gleaming rigs and each other’s company. The smell of mesquite filled the air as “A Touch of Mesquite” out of Lodi, California, began preparing barbequed Tri-Tip sandwiches and other yummy grub. Bob, along with James Cotta, periodically announced winners of several different raffle prizes provided by companies like Dynaflex, Lifetime Lugnut, Panelite, Western Trailer, Merritt, and Peterson to name a few. 3B’s Truck & Auto Plaza in Lodi raffled off 75 gallons of free diesel fuel to six lucky winners (now that’s an accessory everyone can use).

Eight students came out from Linden High School in Linden, California and helped with the parking and sold tickets for the People’s Choice award, raising $300 for their school. For the third year in a row, one of Bill & Marie Sandvik’s trucks took this coveted prize. Their latest rig, a white 1998 Pete with a blue and green “tribal” graphic scheme, turned heads all day. This cool new show truck, among other things, features an awesome granite floor and custom flamed door panels and seats, not to mention a motor that is completely covered in purple paint and chrome. A mural depicting a young Bill Sandvik, experiencing some sort of anger or road rage, shows Bill busting through the back of the sleeper, with crowbar in hand, looking for trouble.

Other notable trucks at the show included John H. Kooy Trucking’s light blue Pete brought all the way from Lynnwood, Washington, Josh Lowrie’s white and blue flamed 2-axle Pete, John Wright Trucking’s two tan, black and orange flamed hay haulers, Bill Pierce’s recently rebuilt maroon Pete 359 (some fool had ran into him last year and wrecked it), and Mike Humphries’ yellow low-rider Pete 359. Gary Wilkinson brought a set of triples from Nevada that he uses to haul hay. The entire combination, which is legal in Nevada, is 10’ wide, 15’ high and 105’ long when loaded. There were several other exceptional rigs at the show - just too many to mention them all here.

Many pieces of old iron showed up at the event as well. Rito Rodriguez brought out his 1955 Bubblenose Pete and, rust and all, made quite an impression. Other antiques included Panella Trucking’s 1950 Mack LT, Elmer Harper’s 1942 Autocar Tow Truck and 1952 Sterling White (which had been beautifully restored), Jerry Jeffries’ 1929 hot rod Fageol, John Hammer’s 1946 Needlenose Pete, and James Cotta’s unique 1956 B-73 Mack (well, the cab is from 1956 at least).

Not to be outdone by the entrants, host Bob Hitchcock resurrected an old 1970’s drag truck and had it on display. Complete with a line-lock front end and a V-8 903 Cummins with six turbochargers (yes, you read correctly), this blast from the past put out about 1,600 horsepower and still purred like a kitten. Near the end of the show, Bob fired the old rig up, locked the front wheels, and proceeded to burn a couple inches of rubber off the rear wheels, as a cloud of white and black smoke enveloped the orange truck with Bob inside.

Dates for next year’s show have not been determined yet, but Bob and his “people” are looking into a larger facility (that can accommodate trailers) for the 2004 show. Stay tuned to 10-4 for more information as it becomes available. Bob wanted to thank all of the participants, spectators, vendors, volunteers and friends (especially Kelly) that helped make this show a fun day. Here are all of the winners from the 2003 “Coolest Trucks” show:

MEDIUM DUTY - 1st: Ron Hilarides; 2nd: Scott & Derek Blevins; 3rd: Dennis Chan
COOLEST PICKUP - Jerry Jeffries’ 1929 Fageol
COOLEST CLASSIC - Elmer Harper’s 1952 Sterling
DIRTIEST TRUCK - Rito Rodriguez’ 1955 Pete
SPECIALTY - 1st: Darrah Trucking; 2nd: Braccos Heavy Tow; 3rd: CTR Trucking
PRO. SHOW TRUCK - 1st: Bill & Marie Sandvik; 2nd: Bill Pierce; 3rd: Mike Humphries
2-AXLE CABOVER - 1st: John Wright Trucking; 2nd: Seifert Bros; 3rd: Robinson’s Feed
3-AXLE CABOVER - 1st: John Wright Trucking; 2nd: Seifert Bros; 3rd: Tim Stone
2-AXLE CONV - 1st: Josh Lowrie; 2nd: Andy Rocha; 3rd: Lowrie Trucking
3-AXLE CONV - 1st: John Kooy; 2nd: Fred Rivera; 3rd: Mitchell Railsback
PEOPLE’S CHOICE - Bill & Marie Sandvik

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