From what I hear, the ’50s were great times. Cars and trucks were being designed to have style and function. The potential to create your own American dream was at an all-time high. Work hard, start a family, buy a house or something like that, right?
The blues brother's garage...
The blues brother's garage in big letters and nobody leaves 'til they sing the blues in small print. Mike Kaulfuss, from Blaine, Minnesota, has good taste in music and a sense of humor.
Now we are stuck in an age where social media rules over human interaction. Things like iPhones, social networking sites, email, and the Internet are all great things, but only if you moderate your time spent using them. According to data from a 2010
www.comscoredatamine.com poll I found, the average person 45-54 years old spends 39 hours on the Internet per month. Compare that to an 18-24-year-old person who waists seven hours less doing the same thing.
My point is, what if you could go back to your childhood, or if you’re around my age, visit a time that your parents said was better? I didn’t travel back in time by any means, but it sure felt that way.
The Back to the 50’s is held by the MSRA at the beautiful Minnesota State Fairgrounds in St. Paul. This is the place you want to travel to, not because it’s a normal parking lot type fairgrounds, but because it has really nice surroundings. Trees are everywhere you look and the buildings reminded me of that old hand-craftsmanship and wealth.
The first day I arrived, the event promoter and staff kindly scooted me around the massive fairgrounds via golf cart. That is when I got a chance to take everything in. The only regret I had about riding on the golf cart was my emails kept coming in, and of course, my lack of willpower kicked in and I checked each one of them.
Family haulers like this one...
Family haulers like this one are becoming popular in my neck of the woods. Lee and Dawn Burris have the stance, color, and interior perfectly suited for their '55 Suburban.
By Saturday morning I was getting more into the spirit of things and the storm of classic cars and trucks came in like a flashflood. One minute the fairgrounds was empty, the next minute there were vehicles around every corner. The streets were also filled with vendors with just about every truck part you could imagine and the smell of sweet BBQ sauce filled the far corners of the fairgrounds.
Time was spent walking around looking for feature vehicles and cool trucks to put in our show coverage, but I must be getting old because I needed to rest my feet. That break came in the form of driving Tim Tullo’s pickup truck around the fairgrounds with Brent VanDervort of Fatman Fabrication riding shotgun. With the A/C blasting, Brent and I took in all the scenery and with a giant smile on my face I said to Brent, “Now this is fun, I’m having a great time.” I realized that it took something more than just looking at the cool classics; it was about driving one and living in the moment. At that point my cell phone was turned off and the rest was history. Get it? Lol.

Jeff and Gwen Casura from...

Jeff and Gwen Casura from Oakdale, Minnesota, drove their sweet red '54 F-100 to the show.

Check out the nice job they...

Check out the nice job they did on the small-block.

Did someone say sleeper? Jeff...

Did someone say sleeper? Jeff Clampitt from Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin, did and his '57 Ford screamed fast just sitting still. Check out the rear drag tires.

I'm a sucker for Fleetside...

I'm a sucker for Fleetside and Cameo beds and apparently so is Dave Carron of Mt. Iron, Minnesota. Nice '55 Dave.

This Clean '40 Plymouth pickup...

This Clean '40 Plymouth pickup looked ready to cruise down an open field and drop off a load of hay.

A rumrunner also comes to...

A rumrunner also comes to mind when looking at Mike and Jessica's Stuart truck.

I never thought a '48 Ford...

I never thought a '48 Ford F-1 with Lincoln would ever look so good.

Ron Nio from Isle, Minnesota,...

Ron Nio from Isle, Minnesota, drove his F-1 with a little bit of Lincoln class.

Tom Eilek's clean '56 Chevy...

Tom Eilek's clean '56 Chevy pickup was really nice inside and out.

I wanted to drive this home...

I wanted to drive this home along with some of the other trucks I saw.

Hate it or love it, this pickup...

Hate it or love it, this pickup stirred up quite a controversy on the CLASSIC TRUCKS Facebook page. You can thank RavenWorks from Maple Grove, Minnesota, for being so creative.

Courtney Hansen, host of a...

Courtney Hansen, host of a popular TV show, was signing posters at the Hot Rod radio booth.

Internationals were everywhere...

Internationals were everywhere at the show and this rat rod pickup was one cool driver.

Kids are always welcome at...

Kids are always welcome at car shows, and in fact, the promoters gave them a cool play area. If only I were a kid again.

Classic Instruments...

TCI, ididit, ...

...and many others showed...

...and many others showed off their new products.

Some lucky bidder got to take...

Some lucky bidder got to take this bad boy home. Mecum was having an auction at the farigrounds so you could bid on your next dream ride.

Also for sale was a '51 Mercury...

Also for sale was a '51 Mercury M-1. Whitewalls, scallops, and a plush white interior, how could you go wrong?

Personal touches on classic...

Personal touches on classic trucks always grab my attention. Chuck and Barb Gau from Anoka, Minnesota, added a swan to hood of their '54 Ford to stand out from the crowd.

Roger and Gloria Fey from...

Roger and Gloria Fey from Edgerton, Minnsota, drove their '57 Dodge Sweptside carrying a '58 Cushman Eagle in the back. Now that's cool.

What a cool color on Larry...

What a cool color on Larry and Judy Reykdal's '51 Chevy Pickup. It looked amazing in person.

if only I was made of money...

if only I was made of money and could buy all of the cool trucks for sale. What a sweet looking classic truck someone could have drove home.

Fatman Fabrications set up...

Fatman Fabrications set up some of the chassis and suspension options they offer. if only the photo could show the details in the fabrication work.

I remember doing this as a...

I remember doing this as a child until they banned it in California. Grab your chair hunny, we are hopping in Joe's truck to go for a cruise.

Mike Maracle proudly showed...

Mike Maracle proudly showed of his forest green '51 F-100.

Brock Shimond from Corcoran,...

Brock Shimond from Corcoran, Minnesota, and his extended '56 GMC pickup. What a cool truck for a family of four or more.