Trucks from the earliest days of the 20th century to some of the latest models continued rolling into the sprawling Expo Center in York, Pa. today (May 28) as the American Truck Historical Society (ATHS) annual convention opened.
ATHS Executive Director Don Bretthauer said the organization had 750 pre-registrations for trucks to exhibit. He expects between 1,000 and 1,200 to fill the grounds of the Expo Center for the show that runs through 6 p.m. Saturday (May 30). That number is up by about 400 over last year’s show, said Bretthauer.
Making this year’s show unique – and popular with vendors and visitors alike – is that many of the oldest antique trucks and most of the vendors are in the air-conditioned exposition hall.
Aside from the custom, vintage and antique trucks on display, this gathering of the 25,000-member national organization offers several informative seminars and a chance to meet one of the best know truckers ever to drive over the ice roads of the Canadian northwest and Alaska.
Presenting today were:
- Dave Read on the history of the diesel engine in America
- Dave McKenna on technological advances by Mack
- Phillip Rulli discussing the past, present and future of Navistar
They will repeat their presentations Friday.
Drawing a crowd in the exposition hall was Alex Debogroski, one of the stars of the hit TV show, Ice Road Truckers. He was signing autographs and having photos taken with fans. He is also the keynote speaker at Friday night’s ATHS awards dinner.
His appearance is sponsored by Five Star International.
Making all of this possible is a small army of volunteers, mostly members of ATHS chapters.
“We couldn’t do all of this without the volunteers,” said Bretthauer. He said more than 150 are helping stage the show.
For your planning purposes, next year’s ATHS convention will be held in Salem, Ore. The dates for the show are May 26-28.
The show is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.