It may be true that March comes in like a lion and out like a lamb, but we didn't see any wild felines or gentle sheep in Santa Maria, California, the second weekend of the month. There were, however, plenty of mouse motors and Rat engines!
That's right, the 21st annual Chevy/GMC Truckin' Nationals--the West Coast's largest GM truck event--moved south to Santa Maria this year, and the roar of rodent engines could be heard throughout the valley all weekend. More than 350 GM-based trucks crammed into the Santa Maria Fairpark, proving that nobody minded the move from Paso Robles or the fact that the show wasn't held on its traditional weekend, but was instead pushed up a week to March 8-10. This year also saw a renewed push to get more cars involved in the All Chevy Nationals, held simultaneously in the same location. The result: A wide assortment of Bow Tie classics and muscle cars to divert your attention when you weren't checking out the trucks.
The Chevy/GMC Truckin' Nationals has always been a fun, relaxed way to kick off the outdoor show season, and that reputation remained intact in the new locale, a city of about 100,000 residents that seems perfect for an event this size. Entrants vied for awards in more than 40 classes sponsored by Classic Parts Depot. Coolest of all was the innovative form of the new first-place trophies--Classic Coolers, which are Genuine Chevrolet ice chests with a '50s style design.
As always, the event's swap meet (open to anything automotive) offered plenty of interesting parts and even some potential projects. Manufacturer's row was also inviting, with companies like No Limit
Engineering, Classic Performance Products, Classic Parts Depot, and others offering their wares. All in all, it was a winning combination of elements--just check out the photos if you need proof. And speaking of winning combinations, show promoter Horse Power Promotions will be returning to Santa Maria August 16-18 for a Chevy/Ford Showdown in conjunction with the annual F-100 North/South event. For details on that event or next year's Chevy show, contact Horse Power Promotions (805-686-2007).
You can't tell by looking, but Jack Hofmann's beautiful '55 Chevy is mostly home built. It's got a '91 Sportside bed (one of the better swaps of that type that we've seen), a TCI front suspension, and small-block power, all wrapped up in a pearl white and orange body. Watch for a future feature on this one. | 
Rich and John Navarro's red '68 Chevy has the look we like--bright red paint, slinky stance (thanks to an Air Ride Technologies system), and 20-inch Intro wheels. Add in a 406-inch small-block and beige interior and you've got a clean cruiser that's hard to beat. | 
Don't call it a Chevy--Minhard Rauser's '48 GMC wears its big, burley chrome grille (a '47 item) with pride! It also wears PPG Neon blue paint, ghost flames, frenched '58 Chevy taillights, and a tailgate with a clear plexiglass window. A 468-inch big-block resides underhood. |
Call it Casper, because Chuck Thompson's pearl white '54 Chevy has a great set of ghost flames. It's also got an earlier-model grille, rolled rear pans, Bow Tie-shaped taillights, 17- and 18-inch Billet Specialties wheels, a Buick Regal IFS, and a 9-inch rearend. | 
When a truck looks this nice in stock form, there's not much point in modifying it. Richard Moreno agrees, so his bright red '72 GMC 1500 Custom retains its original lines and equipment. | 
If you ask us, this is the way Chevrolet should have built Cameos--low and clean with a 350 V-8 and TH400 transmission. Ken Brown dialed in his '55 further with a TCI IFS, ididit tilt column, Vintage Air, and red steelies with chrome caps. |
More doors galore! Alberto and Teresa Chavez' gold C-10 was originally built with extra doors in '66, and the New Mexico-based cruiser remains mostly stock with the exception of an updated interior. | 
On the other hand, Keith Johnston custom built his '51 Chevy at his Red Bluff, California, shop, CJ Performance. In addition to the extra working doors, Keith set the truck up with a '96 LT1 engine, IFS, and a four-bar rear suspension. | 
Tony Faria is rolling big time in his bright yellow '69 Blazer. The San Leandro-based 4x4 rolls on 35-inch tires and clears tall buildings in a single bound thanks to a 6-inch Skyjacker spring lift. |
You don't know the depths of football fanaticism until you've met a Raiders fan! Lupe Lopez has created his own shrine to the "silver and black" with his slammed '53 Chevy. Besides the wild paint scheme, the truck sports a Raiders cheerleader mural on the tonneau cover. | | |