Once again, the show season started off with a bang as the Chevy/GMC Truckin' Nats went off without a hitch. As usual Seth Doulton and the crew at Horsepower Promotions put on a great show for all of us west coasters. We were treated to great trucks, good music, tons of giveaways, and, of course, the world-famous Santa Maria tri-tip. This was also the first time that I was able to drive Project Old School out of SoCal and to an event--so I jumped at the chance and geared up for my four-hour Friday afternoon drive in a truck that is still running the old Powerglide. Still, the trip seemed too short and soon I was rolling into the show at the Santa Maria Fairgrounds.
Many of the usual suspects were there; a lot familiar faces greeted me, and a whole lot of new ones were excited to see the truck in person. I, myself, was excited to see several recently or soon-to-be-completed classic trucks-- several of which were of the '60-66 variety (a couple were even longbeds). In addition to having a record number of pre-registered vehicles this year, Saturday and Sunday saw more spectators pass through the gate than ever before. I'm sure this brought much joy to the field of swap meet participants, not to mention the many vendors on hand. American Racing, No Limit Engineering, Classic Parts Depot, Sir Michaels, Tire Pros, Master Image Customs, and Classic Performance Products are just a sampling of the vendors that were on-hand hawking their wares. For a special treat, the stadium was transformed so spectators could test-drive a course over simulated rough terrain, courtesy of 3 Way Hummer of Bakersfield.
With a safe trip home in the truck and another action-packed Santa Maria weekend in the bag, I look forward with anticipation for the two new shows that are being put on by Horsepower Promotions this year. Both will be held at the Orange County Fairgrounds. The first is on April 18th, the West Coast All Truck Nats, which hopefully you all attended with me. If not, check out the rebirth of the famous Chevy Madness Show that started at Magic Mountain way back in 1981. For more information, give Horsepower Promotions a call at (805) 686-2007 or log onto www.horsepowerpromotions.com.
This rare '72 was basically stock. Isn't it amazing what a flawless paint job and Billet Specialties filling the wheelwells can do? | 
This Blazer sits flat on the rockers and tucks 20-inch Boyd Coddingtons thanks to a one-off tube chassis. The paint-matched grille and two-tone paint were also original. | 
I found this Suburban in the late-model truck section sportin' a killer two-tone paint job with graphics and 20-inch spinners. |
This street rod inspired '59 fleetside shortbed was about as clean as they come thanks to an amazing attention to detail on owner Gary Sheridan's part. The engine-turned bed floor was cool, too. | 
We never get tired of checking out Phil West's big-block-powered C10. I tried to drive up to the show with him, but I just couldn't keep up. | 
There were plenty of clean stockers on hand this year, a fine example of which is the '58 GMC fleetside owned by Omar Lugo of Downey, CA. |
This suede '66 stepside belongs to James Flores and it does a great job mixing a little high tech onto his old-school creation. | 
I'm proud to say that after installing a radiator overflow tank in the CPP parking lot Friday morning, Project Old School made its first real road trip without a single issue to speak of. And, hey, the crowd seemed to like it. | 
This severely shortened and shaved '71 Sub is owned by Al and Rachel Pulgarin and was one of several Chevys representing Bakersfield Classic Truck parts. |
This was one of minority trucks representing the '73-87 contingent. But with the clean shave, killer paint and interior, and large-diameter Coddingtons, what a representative it was. | 
Believe it or not, this Blazer was originally built and painted 14 years ago. Gary and Cody Kinion still find stuff to do to it, and it actually gets a little cleaner every year. | 
This "Chebby" was finished in classic lowrider style, right down to the Lancer caps and Amber spots. |
The crew from Classic Performance Products was out in force (six easy-ups strong!), offering up just about everything in their Chevy truck catalog. | 
No Limit Engineering is a long-time attendee of the Santa Maria shows. Rob and crew had a crowd of people checking out the Fat Bar and Wide Ride suspensions systems all weekend. | |