If you've never been to California's Central Coast, then you need to make it a point to visit. Forget all the hubbub about Michael Jackson's place in Santa Maria and take the area in for what it's really worth! Just drive a couple of hours north of Los Angeles and all of a sudden you're surrounded by lush green farms and vineyards. The drive through Santa Barbara alone is amazing! Travel a few more miles north of Santa Maria and you'll hit Pismo Beach, where beautiful, brisk, uncrowded beaches await you.
At the Santa Maria Fair Park, a good crowd of Bow Ties made up of both cars and trucks gathered together, and soon the 26th Annual Chevy/GMC Nationals were underway. With the odd mix of both sunscreen and a jacket in hand, I sifted through the entrants to see what I could find to capture on film and share with all of you. Enjoy! For more information on next year's show, go to www.horsepowerpromotions.com or call (805) 686-2007.
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 Robert Rodriguez had almost...  Robert Rodriguez had almost as long a drive as I had; he drove up from Anaheim, CA, in his grass-eatin' '63 Chevy. |
 Truckin' 830 miles one way...  Truckin' 830 miles one way from Albany, OR, Steve and Debie Mead graced the show with their unique Chevy C-10, which they bought brand-new from Bernard Chevrolet in Woodburn, OR, from its original owner as a Crew Cab longbed. A week later, the truck was taken to Pacific Coach in Portland to be converted into the extended-cab shortbed we see here. These conversions were done mostly for the log and railroad industry, but the truck's owner, Bill, just used it for camping, fishing, and towing his fifth-wheel trailer with his family. |
 Art Majors had his '54 Chevy...  Art Majors had his '54 Chevy panel at the show. It seems trucks like this can get lost in all the fancy haulers at a show, but not with us! Look for a full feature on it soon here in Classic Trucks. |
 A glimpse of what's to come...  A glimpse of what's to come is this outtake from the shoot with David Fries' '56 GMC, which had everyone drooling. The fresh, bright green longbed impressed onlookers at its first show with a pearl white grille and light tan leather interior. Stay tuned for more! |
 JR Sanchez is a young guy...  JR Sanchez is a young guy from Salinas, CA, with the right idea--having fun. His '49 Advanced Design Bow Tie is down in the weeds with rubbed-out fenders and a roof, and still had the stock 'liner to boot. |
 JR's no-nonsense interior...  JR's no-nonsense interior is comprised of a Mexican blanket seat cover, an old white Covico-style wheel, and a well-worn gas pedal. |
 Speaking of Inliners, "Kings"...  Speaking of Inliners, "Kings" from Fresno had his red '51 Chevy on hand with what appears to be a healthy twin-carbed six. The fairgrounds sure sounded good on Saturday afternoon when all these sixes were fired to leave! |
 Another green machine was...  Another green machine was this '65 'Burb. The metallic lowrider is owned by Jamie Valdez from up north in Soledad, CA. The whitewalls, white interior, and white roof contrasted well with the green. |
 The owner's name escapes me,...  The owner's name escapes me, but this clean "late-model" Sierra Classic GMC was right on thanks to being lowered and getting new wheels and a tint. The stock paint is even in style on this increasingly affordable generation of haulers. |