Best of 2011 - Truck of the Year
We've casted our votes, but now it's your turn!
It's that time of the year when we revisit the last 12 issues and select our individual favorite trucks, relive the times at our favorite shows, and give recognition to the clubs who shined the brightest in 2011. As well as being one of the most exciting times of the year, it's also one of the toughest. Picking and choosing between some of the best minitrucks in the world is certainly not an easy task, and it's one that we take very seriously around the office.
Now that we have had a chance to sit down and collect our thoughts, we'd like to hear from you. Scan the QR code with your smartphone, or log on to minitruckinweb.com to cast your vote for your favorites. The reader poll results will be reported here next issue.
Thanks for another great year everybody!
John Mata Jr.
MT Editor
"Twisted Tiki" Mazda
Choosing between Patrick Rios' Nissan Hardbody and Kevin Rost's tiki-themed Mazda was a brutal decision to make. On one hand, the work that Chassis By Aaron put in on the Hardbody is simply stunning—end of story. On the other hand, Twisted Tiki successfully pulled off something that's not very easy to do—a themed build that allows the actual truck to take center stage. The subtle hints of bamboo from front to back, inside and out, flow well, and the paint color selection reminds me of an island sunset. All mushiness aside, I'm also a huge sucker for anything tiki. Congratulations, Kevin!
Chris Pasley
MT Art Director
"Twisted Tiki" Mazda
"Truck of the Year"—it's a title every minitrucker dreams of having one day. This was one of the best years in recent history for cover trucks. Having seen most of these trucks in person, it's a hard decision to choose just one truck to hold the title. After walking around this year's Forbidden Fantasy show and seeing Twisted Tiki for the first time, I knew it was going all the way.
Johnny O
Contributing Writer/Photographer
"Twisted Tiki" Mazda
A lot of trucks these days are either built to "new school" trends or "old school" standards, and there are very few people that can build a truck that encompass both of these schools of thought. From the moment I saw Kevin Rost's ‘86 Mazda B2000 I knew that he had struck proverbial minitruck gold. It had a camper shell, a theme, murals, and a blow-through cab (all of which are old-school staples), but it also had a minimal two-tone design, fully molded engine compartment, and front-end mods. With one foot in the past and one foot in the future, this truck gets my vote as the perfect build.
Drop 'Em Wear?
Contributing Photography
"Twisted Tiki" Mazda
We are suckers for an old-school Mazda, and this one was done with so much incredible detail that we are still in awe over it. Kevin did an amazing job pulling his idea into one high-caliber cover truck.
Phil Gordon
Contributing Writer/Photographer
"Too Sloww" Ford Ranger
This truck blows me away with the graphics and paint patterns. The heartfelt story helps, but this Ranger is probably one of the most complete minis I have ever seen in a magazine.
Adam Dobbs
Contributing Writer/Photographer
"Too Sloww" Ford Ranger
To me, this truck is hands down one of the cleanest minis I have seen in a while! From the killer graphics to the detailed motor, and all the way down to the frame, Fester did an awesome job on building this truck.
Chad Cooper
Contributing Writer
"Too Sloww" Ford Ranger
My vote this year for cover truck of the year goes to a very well known and deserving member of the minitruckin' family. With many famous trucks in his collection, it comes as no surprise that Uncle Fester produced such a detailed truck of this caliber.
Kevin Aguliar
Contributing Photographer
"Heirloom" Nissan Hardbody
I don't want to discredit any of the cover trucks because they are all clean, but I do think Patrick Rios' '87 Hardbody dubbed "Heirloom" is by far the sickest one of the year. I know it's not a practical truck or attainable by many of us fans of minitrucks, but this "best of" story isn't about any of that. This is one truck that could easily trump most street rods out there.
Surface DVD
Contributing Photography
"Heirloom" Nissan Hardbody
It's a dominating force in the show scene and has been built to lowrider-caliber standards. The design and execution of the suspension and exterior conversions boggle the mind. Best of all, it's not just a static piece of art, it's a driving monument to what a minitruck can be.
Brandon Burrell
Contributing Writer/ Photographer
"Chump Change" Toyota Tacoma
For me to choose my favorite truck of the year, it has to have a crazy amount of detail and craftsmanship. From the insane paint that seamlessly flows from panel to panel and the hidden, highly detailed airbrushing, to the one-off, fully custom interior that looks like it's out of a high-dollar street rod, to the super clean engine bay, this truck is just beautiful. And the fact that this truck gets driven from time to time only seals the deal for me.
Monica Thompson
MT Web Producer
"Shades of Blue" Toyota Tacoma
The double-cab option, in combination with the bodydrop, 20-inch wheels, independent rear suspension, and twin-turbo Supra engine had my attention from the start. It's unique, clean, and very custom.
Josh Fleetwood
Contributing Writer/Photographer
Ben Shelton's 2000 GMC Jimmy
I really dig Ben Shelton's '00 GMC Jimmy from the October issue. This truck grabbed my attention the first time I saw it at a show, and still to this day I never walk by it just because I've seen it before. In my opinion, everything from the colors to the wheels was done right and in great taste.