Returned from a trip a few weeks back, traveling 700 miles to Maine with my 10,000lb fifth wheel for another adventure like every year multiple times. We spent a few days at a small spot known as “old orchard beach.”

We stopped at Bentley’s for dinner. They hosted a cruise night. Cars from all over came out to show off. I received positive feedback(Multiple thumbs up sometimes two thumbs up) from some people as we were leaving while parked on the street away from the action. I have had people stop in while at different campsites to check out my truck, My wife often mentions, Dan, you've got a loyal customer. Ha.

At old orchard beach, they celebrated their 30th car show over the weekend. It was massive, with hundreds to thousands of entries. We were there to check out all the show.

While enjoying the show, we saw a mix of old and newer cars. The stuff we saw was impressive, My Dad said, you should go get your truck and park it in the show. Why not enter it? Ha. We even joked about get my back window signed with vinyl graphic saying “ I EARN MY KEEP” or “NOT SOME GARAGE CLUTTER”

My truck is in near perfect shape, aside from a bit of sun damage to the clear coat, but I never thought of it that way. It's a truck that serves me well, pulling my camper without any issues. I've had it for 18 years.

Yet, I don't view it as a classic masterpiece. Is it really my truck that does all this work for me and that's it.

I often wonder, why aren't there more trucks like mine/this at car shows or cruise nights. As the owners, we don't fully grasp the true value of what we have?

Have you ever entered (your almost classic) in any cruises or car shows? My build date is Texas September 2000. Officially 2001 24 years old this month. A classic 20 or 25 years?

Don’t we value what we have? Aren’t are trucks worthy a classic show? I never see any entered . I have never looked at it that way, I don’t give it much thought on its age and I cannot remember it ever being brought up on this site?

They are classics and possibly the best truck ever built !. I bet there is 1,000's of these trucks still in service like mine is! Not some finely polished garage clutter that just bounces from one cruise night to another . They are Classics , Still earning their keep !.

 

We did the woodward dream cruise last month. Local news likely over estimated at 40,000 cars and one million people. Claims to be the largest one day event of its kind.

 

Mine gets it's fair of attention because of it's unique upfit and style while hardly being a show queen, however I notice fewer and fewer clean survivors running around. It's funny how mostly all I see on the road are brand new ones or ones new enough to be from the latest styling revision. No idea where the older ones go. It's like you either see brand new ones or beat up, rusted out old clunkers and not much in between. Nicely preserved older vehicles are never the norm.

 

I have often wondered the same thing.

I drive a 2000 crew cab long box dually. In my opinion the ugliest of the super duties. Much like yours, mine earns its keep and gets a good wash and wax several times a year to try and prevent the Wisconsin salt and rust from taking over. Well that is when the motor isn't out of it for several months! LOL.

By the time I am done with my oil pan I will have more powder coated items and shiny paint under the hood than on the truck and to me that justifies putting it in a car show. Yeah, she aint an extended cab short box that everyone loves but she has some shiny parts and clean for wisconsin.

Getting a couple thumbs up or a "Hey nice truck" once in a while it is worth it. Id say throw it in some of the local car shows as you travel. You never know, you might get an offer you can't refuse from someone.

 

when I get mine cleaned up, and everything working,
I think I will go to a car show.

put a sign on it.
" don't laff, paid cash, its' mine "

 

Mine's too ugly for the shows. Several years back one of the big wildfires here in CA left a coat of ash on it. Did not wash it off for several days, big mistake. Most of the clear coat from roof and hood went away. Sides still shine like out of dealership but the hood... ick.

Back when I parked it on the street I got a note under the wiper to buy it 5-6 times a year. About half were real. There is a genuine following of people who need reliable trucks.