2006 Mini-Truck of the Year
Mike Alexander - MT Editor
Blazerado
April '06 Cover
Alan "Farva" and Kim Jackson's '95 Chevy Blazer
This year, after racking my brain, doing everything I could to make sure that I stayed neutral and unbiased, I decided that my conscience could remain clear knowing that I absolutely have to vote for my favorite truck of the year no matter who the owners are. Yeah, Farva and Kim are very close friends, but the amount of work that went into their Blazerado and the number of mods that plaster the tech sheet page after page prove that this truck is truly one of the best minis built this year (and, in my humble opinion, of all time). What started off as a '95 four-door Chevy Blazer now rakes in trophy after trophy as the Blazerado. Farva and Kim teamed with the Silver Star Customs crew to turn what began as a Surface rendering from Nick Crouch, and thousands of ideas floating around in Farva's mind, into a reality. Well done, guys! Well done!
Ernie Macias - MT Associate Editor
Doin' It Big
November '06 Cover
Travis Chavin's '91 Nissan Hardbody
When people ask me what I think about big wheels on little trucks, I normally say this: "If I wanted a DUB City model, I would just go to the store and buy one." However, when it comes to Doin' It Big, nobody does it better than the crew at DIB. They did an amazing job with this Nissan Hardbody titled just that, Doin' It Big. By putting 22-inch wheels on Travis' truck they were really pushing the limits, but they did it so right and so classy. If you ever talk to these guys, they'll even tell you that they can put 24s on it but didn't want to get too crazy. Besides having ridiculously big wheels, the truck also has a great paintjob and awesome attention to detail. So with this said, who's going to put 24s on a Hardbody? Anybody? Didn't think so.
Brandon Burrell - MT Contributing Editor
Blazerado
April '06 Cover
Alan "Farva" and Kim Jackson's '95 Chevy Blazer
Out of all the trucks that have run this year, I'd have to vote for Alan and Kim's Blazerado from Severed Ties. You can spend hours trying to find all of the small details that make this truck what it is. Most of the amazing mods are so subtle that most likely Farva would have to point them out to you. On top of that, he is also one of those guys who would do anything for a fellow mini-trucker. All in all, this is one first-class ride with even cooler owners.
Eddy Cebreco - Show Promoter
Blazerado
April '06 Cover
Alan "Farva" and Kim '96 Chevy Blazer
So I stroll into Mike Alexander's office this afternoon to ask when he's leaving for Summer Splash when he hits me with this: "Hey, you've been around the scene for a while. Would you want to vote for the Mini Truckin' Best ofs?" While upset about the old guy crack, I still felt like, "Wow, I get to do an editorial piece...kinda, sorta." Of course, I said OK! As for my pick for Truck of the Year, it's a truck that when you first see it you're impressed with the overall caliber of the truck, but when you sit and look it over bumper to rollpan you're absolutely amazed. Rockers to roof line, the true caliber of this truck becomes more apparent. The front end looks larger than life. The motor and the ass end are clean as hell. Colorado sheetmetal to shave the rear doors...rad! The interior and audio are definitely badass. This is just a sick, sick ride no matter how you slice it.
Justin Cross - MT Contributing Editor
Doin' It Big
November '06 Cover
Travis Chavin's '91 Nissan Hardbody
I've had the pleasure of seeing Travis' truck at shows in the Southeast as it was being built, and each time I saw it I was more and more impressed. Seeing it done now just makes my jaw drop. The use of only a few colors and very little graphics keeps it all simple but super-clean, while the attention to detail is just perfect. From the one-off shifter console to the polished bedstrips, this thing is just phenomenal.
Phil Fowler - MT Contributing Editor
Doin' It Big
November '06 Cover
Travis Chavin's '91 Nissan Hardbody
My pick goes to Travis Chavin's '91 Nissan Hardbody. When I saw this thing at Showfest two years ago, I was amazed seeing it laid flat out on 22s. The truck really caught my eye and I knew I wouldn't be disappointed when it was completed. Things like the Oldsmobile portholes in the fenders just really set this thing apart from others. The truck has it all: The framework is super-clean, the engine bay is immaculate, and the paint is subtle but sick. Hats off to Travis and the DIB crew for building one sick-ass mini.
Joe Greeves - MT Contributing Editor
Way Smoother
June '06 Cover
Lee and Elena Farmer's '86 Mazda B2000
Our cover truck for June '06 is one of my favorites. Working at Year One in new product development, Lee Farmer knows trucks and understands the concept of a full custom. Virtually every square inch of his '86 Mazda B2000 has received the custom treatment. While the truck certainly looks great overall, you only begin to understand the depth of the changes when you start examining the fine details. For example, all the traditional elements are in place, like a 3-inch body drop, 2x4-inch steel tube back half, and triangulated four-link with 'bags. It's only when you delve deeper that you discover subtle details like the front fenders that have been sectioned and widened in order to clear the 19s up front. Larger 20s were squeezed in the rear for an aggressive look. A full-custom interior, one-piece fiberglass dashboard, Sony stereo, unique bed, reworked 2.0L motor, and wild House of Kolor Reflex Yellow paint with Passion Purple flames slithering under the windshield all combine to make this a world-class contender.
Jennie Hendrex - MT Contributing Editor
Skool Road
October '06 Cover
Lincoln Doring's '90 Toyota HiLux
To me, clean is where it's at, and this Toyota screams that to me. Just plain sick from front to back. The fact that Lincoln built this truck in his own carport puts it over the top and brings it home for me. This guy not only had an awesome vision of what a mini-truck truly should be, but he also had the mad skills on his own to execute it from the jackstands to the newsstands...just flawless.
John Jackson - MT Contributing
Editor
Blazerado
April '06 Cover
Alan "Farva" and Kim Jackson's '96 Chevy Blazer
There were so many great trucks to choose from this year, and fortunately, I've seen the majority of them in person. My favorite truck from 2006 has to be Farva's Blazerado. In the beginning of the year, every time I saw him he said, "I have something coming for you to shoot that will be badass."
And he and the Silver Star Customs crew did not disappoint. Everything that could ever be done to a truck was done, but the exceptional part is the style and cleanliness, and that so many amazing mods could all fit into one truck.
Chad Lucas - MT Contributing Editor
Doin' It Big
November '06 Cover
Travis Chavin's '91 Nissan Hardbody
Other than me being biased as a Nissan guy, it's a truck that pushed the envelope and didn't finish itself in a stupid way. With so many mini-truckers out there trying to raise the bar and/or come up with the craziest idea, they tend to get lost in that dream. Laid out on 22s with a clean two-tone paint job-you gotta love it.
2006 Show of the Year
Mike Alexander - MT Editor
Truck Masters
Yokohama, Japan
Wow! What an awesome year for shows and the entire mini-truckin' scene! We've expanded our boundaries worldwide to bring you the coolest trucks from all over the world. After going overseas to Australia and Japan, I can truly say that if it's possible for me to be even more excited about our scene than before, I am. There was so much to see, with new ideas and old all combined. Truck Masters in Japan brought out over 500 mini-trucks. Yes, mini-trucks! It was honestly one of the best experiences of my life to see that many people so into what we love all the way across the globe. I've made lifelong friends and have gotten a new refreshing outlook on mini-trucks, so it really gives me great pleasure to vote for Truck Masters as my favorite show of 2006.
Ernie Macias - MT Associate Editor
Resolutions
Blythe, California
Resolutions' 30th anniversary was amazing. I had to pick it because being from SoCal and having grown up in the scene here, Reso means a lot to us. It's been called the granddaddy event, and it's well deserved, having just celebrated its 30-year anniversary. I could go on all day about Resolutions, but if you haven't been to the show, then you really can't understand. Rarely do you hear somebody say they won't be back. Normally, newbies to the show not only come back, but they bring a friend. Best part is it's run and organized by a mini-truck club, so in my eyes it's as hardcore as it gets.
Brandon Burrell - MT Contributing Editor
Lay'd Out at the Park
Morristown, Tennessee
Being that I only cover shows on the East Coast, I can't very well vote for a show I've not attended, but who needs to worry about that when there is a show like Lay'd Out at the Park? I've attended both years of this show so far and have been nothing but impressed. This show has something for everyone and one of the best dragging sessions around. The city actually blocks off a five-lane road for us to tear up. It not only had over 500 entries, but ran as smooth as it would have with 10 entries. With that said, Lay'd Out at the Park gets my vote for Show of the Year.
Eddy Cebreco - Show Promoter
Slamfest
Tampa, Florida
Being on the production side of shows is a hard, stressful dark side no one ever sees (kind of like putting out this magazine). The show that stands out the most for me was one of the first big shows I went to, and ever since then it's impressed me year after year and stood the test of time. I've modeled Blooddrag and all my events after this north Florida phenom: Slamfest. Regardless of any weather issues or hotel problems, the show never missed a beat.
I remember during Blooddrag '02, TC rolled by me smiling. I asked what he found so damn funny and he said, "It's nice to know at least one other person in this state knows what I go through every October," and walked off laughing. Bastard! (LOL) Needless to say, he's given me tons of great advice over the years and his event continues to be one of the East's biggest and best shows.
My hat's off to TC, Callie, and the whole Mini Madness crew for a hell of a job year after year.
Justin Cross - MT Contributing Editor
Scrapin' the Coast
Biloxi, Mississippi
If you've been keeping score, you might have noticed that this has been my vote in this category for the last couple of years, and there is damn good reason for that. This show is just plain fun. Everyone that hits this event talks about how much of a great time it was, and this year was no different. It's especially impressive to see how much the show has grown, even after all of the destruction to the region caused by Hurricane Katrina. Many shows may have had to take a year or two off to recover (or may have never even come back), but the folks putting STC together declared, "Never say die!" and knocked the show outta the park again. Dedication makes this show stand out.
Joe Greeves - MT Contributing Editor
Southeast Showdown
Anderson, South Carolina
Although there are lots of great shows every year, one in particular stands out, primarily because of the nonstop dedication of the promoters. The Southeast Showdown in Anderson, South Carolina, is the personal passion of my good friend Jon Fulmer. Jon has been active in the automotive scene for more than half his life. Assisted by his lovely wife, Allison, they definitely live the lifestyle. Both have had magazine cover vehicles in the past and are currently working on debuting their new "his 'n' hers" mini-trucks. Both attended car and truck shows for several years and finally decided they'd like to try their hand at being show promoters. Both travel the country throughout the year, inviting the best of the best to attend their Southeast Showdown. Their laid-back event is always action-packed, but the personal touch, family atmosphere, and friendly people are what you remember most. Now in its third year and growing steadily, this late-July event has a bright future ahead.
Phil Fowler - MT Contributing Editor
Carlisle All-Truck Nationals
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
I personally have been attending the Carlisle All-Truck Nationals since '94 and this show has it all, from minis to tractor-trailers. The show, as far as minis, had taken a turn for the worse a few years back, but this year Rich Dallas took over the event for them and what a difference! Minis were back in force, and quality was way up. Rich and the crew really made some changes to make this show mini-trucker-friendly again. I think this show will be recognized as one of the East Coast's biggest and best events once again. If you haven't made it out yet, you should keep it in mind for one of next year's shows to hit.
Jennie Hendrex - MT Contributing Editor
Low Rollers End of Summer Bash
Woodstown, New Jersey
This was a tough choice for me. I seemed to hit every show I had always dreamed of hitting this year and made a lot of new friends and found new respect for a lot of shows. But in the end, by a landslide, my choice has to be the End of Summer Bash thrown by my new buddy Phil Fowler and his Low Rollers crew. These guys really know how to throw an event. The location, the quality, and most of all, the people really make this show what it is today. The hospitality of these guys is second to NONE. Leave an empty space in your calendars next August for this show. You won't be sorry.
John Jackson - MT Contributing Editor
Southeast Showdown
Anderson, South Carolina
I just have to vote for the best time I've ever had at a show by voting for this year's Southeast Showdown. Not only did this show draw some major rides, but it had 100 of their club members from all over the country there judging and working the show. I can't wait to see what this show turns into in the future. It already pays out more money to competitors than any other East Coast show, so look for it to become huge.
Chad Lucas - MT Contributing Editor
The Showfest Finale
Greenville, Mississippi
Assorted's Showfest would definitely take my vote for Show of the Year. Unfortunately, this was the last hurrah for one of my favorite shows. There will always be a show that every mini-trucker aspires to go to. Years ago it was Pigeon Forge, then Greenville. So who's next?