We’ve got another great gallery of photos from the ATHS convention and truck show. Check them out below and if you missed any of our other photos then use the link below to see them too!
This is one incredibly unique event as it features restored classics of all kinds, plus hot rod and show trucks. The restored classics are incredible, as the diversity of this show has commercial trucks of all kinds on display. Once we’ve cut one up or lowered it on the ground or built a ramp truck out of them, we sometimes forget just how big and awesome some of these commercial trucks were in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.
(Words and Photos by Jim Hrody) For 2022, the American Truck Historical Society hosted its annual convention & truck show at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Illinois. Trucks of all sizes and eras were distributed throughout the grounds, roughly a thousand of them. Even a few farm tractors snuck in under the guise of flatbed cargo.
As to be expected, all current truck brands were well represented. But wasn’t expecting the relatively high count of the dead brands such as Hendrickson, Marmon, Diamond Reo, Diamond T, and even a few Studebakers. In the words of Snowman in Smokey and the Bandit II— “Well, then I must be commode-hangin’ drunk, cuz I see a ton of trucks”.
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Beautiful trucks!
But what’s the purpose of lengthening the frame between the cab & rear wheels?
-They haven’t installed longer fuel tanks, so it can’t be that.
-It makes the tractor trailer combo less maneuverable.
Maybe it’s just to look different; like “dummy spotlights” on a Mercury lead sled?
Thank you for using my 57 Chevy hauler truck and 57 Bel Air hardtop on the back. It was a great show, I’ve been to several ATHS national shows, but this one was real special.
To try to answer the question… I “think” the reasoning behind making the frame longer is to change the load weight center point on the cab. Kind of like a forklift has a center balance point while lifting heavy loads, putting too much tongue weight or tail weither can vastly effect how the trailer tows. Yes it makes it less maneuverable but probably spreads the load out better.
Love the yellow Big Horn. Man I’d love to have one of those!
The trucks are attractive. Loved every color.