OLDS — The Hildebrand Motors parking lot in Olds was jammed with trucks and enthusiastic onlookers during a warm, sunny evening Aug. 16.
It was the company’s annual GM Classic Truck Night. Alan Conway, one of the organizers, says more than 100 trucks were on display, about on par with their strongest turnouts in previous years.
Everything from turn-of-the-last-century vehicles to a semi-trailer unit were on display.
The term “classic truck” refers to trucks that date back decades. The first Chevy truck rolled off the assembly line in November 1918.
During an interview with the Albertan, Conway noted that in the coming years, even more truck models will fall into the classic category.
“The next series of the Chevy trucks in about two years could become what we call a classic truck as well, so it will probably grow when we allow them in,” he said.
“But right now, because of lot space -- you saw how congested we were -- if we have all Chevy trucks in here, we'll need to use the Walmart parking lot or something,” he said with a laugh. “I guess you have to think ahead.”
Conway said as far as GM Classic Truck Night organizers are concerned, a classic truck is vintage 1999 and older.
“(We accept) Chevron, GMC trucks, El Caminos, vans; like anything that's an actual truck. We exclude cars, basically because of room,” he said.
Conway said Hildebrand Motors’ first GM Classic Truck Night occurred in 2017 or 2018 as GM celebrated the 100th anniversary of its first truck.
They gave out prizes for winners in various categories, like loudest truck, oldest truck and people’s choice.
But that didn’t last long.
“We just thought it was too much of a hassle, so we just brought it to everybody, and we just enjoy the evening and not have to compete against each other,” he said.
“It's just a just, just an easy evening with no pressure, you know, just come out, park your truck.
“You can come and go as you want. You don't have to stay for four hours. You can stay for 15 minutes, or you stay the whole evening, you know. Just fun for all truck guys, I guess.”
Conway had his own rusty, blue truck in this year’s show. It dates back to the late 1970s.
At about 45 years old, the truck is still managing to make the trip to and from the dealership.
“My family keeps telling me I should fix it, but I just never seem to get around to getting it done, so she comes the way she is,” he said.
Conway was pleased with how the show went and the interaction with fellow truck enthusiasts.
“It was a pretty spectacular show, pretty shiny trucks there. And I really enjoyed the old fellow thing,” he said.
“Sometimes talking to the owner, you can find out a few tricks that he found out over the years of how to replace something with a different part that works better or makes improvement in the truck. Just to get together to share ideas and show off a truck."
