Still Truckin’ Antique Truck Collectors Get A Rare Chance To Talk Shop

Jay Reynolds quite possibly owns the only 1939 Autocar on the American road. Trouble is, the road is no place for this hulking vehicle.

“It’s a traffic hazard at best,” admits the Spokane collector. “It’s sort of dangerous to take something that big and slow on the road next to a Honda. It wouldn’t be pretty.”

So, the yellow giant, used in its prime as a snow plow, is hauled to antique shows and car rallies. This weekend it will be among 50 one-of-a-kind collector trucks at a national gathering of antique truck enthusiasts.

The American Truck Historical Society is holding its annual show at Riverfront Park all day Saturday and Sunday. More than 350 vehicles - from firetrucks to semi tractortrailers to vintage pick-ups - will stream into Spokane from as far as Pennsylvania, Alabama, Canada and everywhere in between.

“There isn’t a museum in the country where you could see a display like this,” said Reynolds.

One of the most rare is a 1954 Diamond T 950 with a large sleeper compartment on the back. The owner, Howard Fugitt, will spend hundreds of dollars in gas just to drive it west for the show.

But that’s part of the fun. Ric Hall, president of the Inland Empire Chapter of the collectors club, says there’s a certain suspense in driving a vintage vehicle.

“It’s really interesting with older trucks to see if they can still go the distance,” Hall said. “You’re always taking a chance, thinking ‘What might go wrong? Is it going to make it?”’

They should, considering all the work and heart that goes into restoring these trucks. Reynolds rebuilt his Autocar from the inside out - starting with the wooden cab. One truck that will be featured this weekend - a 1920 Kelly from Lewiston - is rare enough that the owner had to make many replacement parts by hand.

Antique truck owners are a different breed from classic car collectors, partially because their vehicles are more rare and difficult to restore. They’re also not as popular among casual collectors as old cars, so you can get into one for thousands less.

The downside: They’re bigger, so it takes more room to store them during the restoration process.

Help comes in the form of the truck club. The Inland Empire Chapter has about 60 members from around the region. They meet once a month at the Broadway Truck Stop to talk about their trucks and offer advice on where to get parts, where the good deals are.

Hall has been lucky with his 1946 Chevy. He bought it from the original owners off a farm in Montana. After a few minor tweaks and turns, it’s now his daily transportation.

“That’s the fun part, because I drive mine every day to work,” he said. “A lot of people wave and give me a thumbs up. It makes you feel good.”

The gathering this weekend will be the ultimate in admiration, then, for the many collectors and truck enthusiasts who will attend.

“It will only be here once,” warns Reynolds, “and then this museum hits the road again.”

MEMO: The American Truck Historical Society’s “Class on the Grass” will be held at Riverfront Park all day Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free. Any pre-1970 truck is welcome to register for the show. Cost is $5. Just show up in the morning of either day.