No doubt about it--Texas is truck country. Take a cruise down any Lone Star highway and you'll quickly see that pick-'em-up trucks are the preferred mode of transportation for real ranch-hands and urban cowboys alike. So it's only fitting that one of the most prestigious classic truck awards of the year is handed out at an event in Texas.
The award is the Goodguys Truck of the Year, and the event is the Lone Star Nationals, which was held October 27-28 (rescheduled from October 6-7) at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. And even though 2001 marked only the second year for Truck of the Year honors, it still drew a host of heavy hitters to vie for the title (actually two titles--one for pre-'53 trucks and another for '53-and-newer trucks). One of the ten finalist trucks (five for each category) came all the way from Canada by way of California. Another made the trek from Arizona. A third came from Las Vegas, Nevada. All ten pickups were great rides, but only two could return home with the trophies, the bragging rights, and the $1,000 cash prize.
Truck of the Year judging took a little twist at the 2001 event, as the folks at Goodguys decided to get the participants involved. First, a panel of judges including Goodguys representatives and a CLASSIC TRUCKS staffer narrowed the field down to five trucks in each group. Then the finalists themselves were asked to participate in the final judging, with "Early" finalists voting on the "Late" trucks, and "Late" finalists voting on the "Early" trucks. Competition was close, but in the end the honors went to Steve Sandlin's '48 Chevy pickup and Dave Kimmerle's '56 F-100.
Even if you weren't a contender for Truck of the Year, the Lone Star Nationals held plenty of appeal. With around 1,500 vehicles on hand from at least half a dozen states, there was a lot of old iron to see. There was also a sizeable swap meet at the event, as well as a bunch of commercial vendors selling aftermarket parts to help keep that on-going project progressing. You could even rent a ride in a NASCAR machine, with a professional driver taking you for a 140 mph spin. But the coolest part of all had to be the track cruise Saturday evening, where participants were allowed to test out their rides on the banked turns of Texas Motor Speedway.
Trick trucks, cool cars, and big-time fun. It's all standard fare for a Goodguys event in the Lone Star State. See y'all next year!
Everything's bigger in Texas, including the cab on Dusty Cox's '72 Chevy pickup, a CLASSIC TRUCKS Top-Five pick recipient. Dusty extended the cab 12 inches and added quarter windows to complete the factory look. PPG Cool Blue paint makes it look smooth, while a TPI 350 engine keeps it running right. You have to agree that the stance really makes this truck, but would you believe Dusty got it sitting this low without the help of air bags? The 18- and 20-inch Budniks make the perfect finishing touch. | 
You probably remember Kelly and Teresa King's bright yellow, Bobco-built '56 F-100 from the cover of our Oct. '00 issue. Well, it made the trek to Texas, where the Kings were rewarded with a CLASSIC TRUCKS Top-Five pick and were in the running for the Truck of the Year--Late title. We don't have enough room to list all the cool features on this bright yellow hauler, but it rides on a No Limit Chassis, is powered by an LS1, rolls on Intro wheels, and sports a Ron Mangus interior. In other words, it's fit for two Kings! | 
How about a hot set of licks dividing a Rosewood and Vanilla Shake two-tone to get your attention? The paint may draw you in, but the details will keep you looking at Steve Sandlin's '48 Chevy from Las Vegas, Nevada. This truck is trick from front to back, with a Heidt's Superide IFS, a polished Kugel IRS, and a fully detailed small-block in-between. In fact, the truck was so trick that it walked off with a CLASSIC TRUCKS Top-Five pick, as well as Truck of the Year--Early honors! |
Bryan Beneux had two cool rides at the Lone Star Nats--a '59 Chevy wagon and this super-clean '55 Chevy pickup. The pickup was once a pro-streeter, but he recently redid it with 18- and 20-inch Colorado Custom wheels shod in BFGoodrich radial rubber. Those big billet rollers are bolted to an extremely clean chassis that supports an LT1 engine and that gorgeous Guards Red body. It's easy to see why this Chevy was a ClLASSIC TRUCKS Top-Five pick and a finalist for Truck of the Year--Late. | 
Yet another CLASSIC TRUCKS cover vehicle (Dec. '00) was on hand in Texas, and this one went home with the Goodguys award for Truck of the Year-- Late. There's no denying that David Kimmerle's '56 F-100 is simply stunning, and the Vermont Green paint lends it just the right amount of elegance. Naturally, the detailing is awesome throughout the truck, and the highly polished Lincoln Mark VII engine outshines the hot Texas sun when the hood is open. Our congratulations go out to David, and he'll also be getting a CLASSIC TRUCKS Top-Five pick jacket in the mail. | 
A mere top chop wasn't enough for Billy McSwain's '58 Chevy, so he added a modified late-model Sportside bed and smoothed everything to perfection. B. Coddington wheels and a blown small-block finish it off. |
Bill Phelan built himself one wild '45 Chevy, and he wants you to build one too! Bill made molds of the truck's front clip, running boards, and rear fenders, so fiberglass replicas will be on the market soon (see Film @ 11:00 for details). The truck uses 2000 Mercedes headlights, has suicide doors, and sports a 350/4L60E drivetrain. | 
Ford didn't build a quad-cab pickup in 1933, so Dan and Tracy Sturkie decided to make their own. This rod has several other modern options, too, like dark blue paint with ghost flames, a polished IFS, and small-block power. | 
Despite the introduction of new steel Fleetside beds, Chevrolet continued the Cameo pickup model into the early part of 1958. Marty Rivers has one of the rare rides, and has made it even better with American five-spokes and a tuned-port 350. |
With its slotted mags and original-style Caribbean Turquoise and Colonial White two tone, Billy Pope's '66 Ford looks like it just rolled out of the '60s. The fuel-injected 302 and AOD transmission tell a different story, though. | | |