Nation’s largest antique truck show starts Thursday

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Updated May 26, 2016
A 1935 Kenworth 89 on display at a past American Truck Historical Society (ATHS) antique truck show.A 1935 Kenworth 89 on display at a past American Truck Historical Society (ATHS) antique truck show.

When it comes to driving truck interest, it’s hard to beat the past.

Old trucks that have undergone careful restoration turn heads, command respect and admiration, evoke nostalgia and get people talking.

At time when trucks continue to face increasing scrutiny, that can’t be such a bad idea.

Starting tomorrow, the nation’s largest historic truck event kicks off in Salem, Oregon. The American Truck Historical Society’s National Convention & Truck Show includes a vast display of some of the best class 1 to 8 antique trucks that the nation has to offer.

Special thanks to Hard Working Trucks reader Gow Litzenburger for passing along the reminder. Litzenburger owns and uses an antique truck fleet at his Michigan-based landscape business which HWT profiled last November.

In the Oregon State Fair & Expo Center visitors will have a chance to view the trucks that helped build America while inspiring plenty of songs, stories, TV shows and films along the way.

Various tours coincide with the show, including: the Antique Powerland & Pacific Northwest Museum; Cascade Mountain Logging Tour; Evergreen Museum; Daimler Trucks North America/Western Star Plant Tour and Portland Lunch Cruise; and the Oregon Rail Heritage Center & Portland Lunch Cruise.

The event, which ends Sunday, also includes guest speakers, a vendor expo, children’s interactive area, ATHS meeting and an Oregon Trail BBQ fundraiser.

Visit aths.org for more information. Below are some screen shots from a YouTube video posted by DailyDieselDose that feature trucks from last year’s event.

Screen Shot 2016 05 25 At 3 45 07 Pm

Screen Shot 2016 05 25 At 3 45 39 Pm

Screen Shot 2016 05 25 At 3 46 25 Pm

Screen Shot 2016 05 25 At 3 47 25 Pm