On April 10, 2005, a mix of late-model, classic, and big rig trucks plagued the Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa, California. A plethora of vendors supplied parts and food for the crowd. The grounds were filled with 8,200 spectators that poured out over a sea of 485 custom trucks on display for all to see. Sir Michaels provided trophies for the different classes and displayed the company's art of steel roll pans. Once again, the beach city showgoers consisted mostly of hot, blonde chicks, sporting all the latest trendy threads, and guys gawking at their every move. One of the highlights was viewing the incredible body-dropped trucks and the awesomely detailed big rigs, which as we know usually have dirty diesel engines. How often have you seen a chrome-plated Peterbilt at a truck stop? Some of the big rigs put the regular show trucks to shame. Talk about meticulous. Adding a bridge between the big rigs and consumer-level light trucks was a Ford F-650 crew cab that sat atop 46-inch Michelins and towered above the competition.
The classic trucks were out in full force, and we saw several upcoming trends. Pro Street trucks can't be dead, though, because many of the real haulers were sporting wide rubber out back. Tilt-hood conversions were everywhere, as well as many builders who have embraced Electric Life's slick, new forward-tilt kit. The ever-present Effies flexed their muscles, many opting for Roots-blown big-block motorvation, and we saw a bitchin', flamed panel truck, too. The whole scene made us long for our own time machine, because, God knows, many of these trucks would be out of our budget these days.
All in all, the show captilalized on a successful venue, great weather, and quality display vehicles. The competition was fierce, the mood was light, and the hot dogs gave us bad breath. In other words, it was a good day.