What separates a truck from, let’s say, a car?
According to Wikipedia, a truck is a motor vehicle that’s used to transport cargo. The Oxford Dictionary has several definitions, including a “railroad vehicle that’s used for carrying freight,” a “low flat-topped car used for moving heavy items,” or “each of two axle units on a skateboard.”
“We don’t care whether it’s rusty, original, or tricked out,” Larry Hoenig said. “We like ’em all. They’re all fun to look at.”
Hoenig’s the vice president of the Central Coast chapter of the American Truck Historical Society, and the whole point of being part of that all-inclusive club is to show trucks.
Founded in 1971, the society was formed to preserve the history of trucks, the trucking industry, and its pioneers, according to aths.org. At one point, it melded with a similar group, the United States Truck Historical Society, and it eventually evolved into being about more than just big rigs and trailers. The group boasts 20,000 members across the United States.
The ATHS doesn’t list a “truck” definition on its website, but from the way Hoenig discusses his fondness of trucks, the society goes with the motor vehicle kind. And there will be lots of them at the Cooler Truck Show that runs from July 17 to 19 at Nipomo High School.
“It was really more the history of the men and companies and the manufacturers and the trailer manufacturers,” Hoenig said. “They realized the members also liked old trucks, and so they started having truck shows.”
To be a member, you don’t need to own a truck, you merely need to be interested in them.
The society spawned several chapters throughout the country, including the Central Coast chapter, which has about 70 members and was formed 24 years ago by a man named Bob King (now deceased), according to Hoenig.
A national convention is held annually and members take turns holding it on opposite coasts. This year’s convention was held in York, Pa., in late May. Next year it will be in Salem, Ore.
Each year, the chapter holds its own truck show, called the “Cooler” because it’s held the third weekend of July, when the weather of the Central Coast is comparatively cooler than other regions. The show attracts spectators from all directions, including a person who brings a big collection of farm trucks—hay haulers, tractor trailer hauling trucks, etc. Hoenig estimates that that person spends a few thousand dollars in diesel fuel to get to the coast.
This is the first year it’s being held in Nipomo, Hoenig said, adding that the chapter makes a point to hold it below the Cuesta Grade, because “it’s hot up there,” he said.
The Cooler will have around 60 to 70 trucks, Hoenig said, explaining that this show isn’t a contest and therefore doesn’t have a best of show, trophies, a registration fee, or admission: just trucks and nothing else.
Hoenig remembers working at the Arroyo Grande car show where it costs $50 to enter.
“That’s just not our thing,” Hoenig said. “Somebody’s got to stand there and collect money. We just want families to come and enjoy the show.”
Sundry trucks will be on display during the show. Many of them are what Hoenig calls “trailer queens,” which is basically a truck that’s only for show. And sometimes the parking lot can become part of the show itself, with spectators bringing their trucks.
Hoenig brings his own truck, a four-wheel drive 1946 Dodge Power Wagon. He’s got two of them. His affinity for the truck goes back to the 36 years he worked as an engineer for the Chrysler Corporation in Michigan. Somewhere in his history, Hoenig remembers seeing a Power Wagon and thinking that was “his” truck.
The Power Wagon was common for logging and power companies to use, Hoenig said, because people needed the truck to access the more remote parts of the countryside.
He purchased his first Power Wagon in 1999. It doesn’t go very fast; the max speed is around 46 mph, but Hoenig said it’s “much happier” in fourth gear at 25 mph.
Hoenig’s truck isn’t a trailer queen; that’s not his thing. It’s basically his daily driver. The truck has a “parade paint job,” which is what Hoenig describes as a good enough paint job to make the truck look good in a parade. It’s a practical choice for Hoenig because he still takes his truck on the trails.
He occasionally takes it through the off-road park at Hollister Hills, south of San Jose, which has a number of trails for various types of all-terrain vehicles.
“I’d rather drive though the mud and stuff rather than having to worry about a paint job,” Hoenig said.
This year’s truck show is located at 525 N. Thompson Ave. Hoenig said there will be signs posted along the way to direct spectators to the show.
Contact Staff Writer David Minsky at dminsky@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Jul 9-16, 2015.
