TONIGHT WE RIDE
First place
1990 Peterbilt 379
Bill and Johnny Culver
Love is a many-splendored thing, especially when fans express their admiration for show trucks. Many factors prompted readers to pick their favorites among 10 of the many classic Pride & Polish winners.
Some voters were succinct but spirited, such as Pat Hinderscheid of Mendota Heights, Minn., whose favorite was Harvey and Karen Zanders’ Icy Blu II: “The graphics, theme and the tractor’s overall dazzling appearance drive it to the top of the list!”
Bill North of Wheaton, Ill., on the other hand, itemized six reasons favoring the winning truck, Bill and Johnny Culver’s Tonight We Ride.
“It’s always been nothing but trucks for Bill,” says his father, Johnny Culver, who founded the Arkansas family’s concrete business, Master Made. “Bill is always saying, ‘The day is not done till my truck is cleaned.'”
Some voters noted the truck was lean on the graphics or lights that are common on many show trucks. However, the paint scheme – yellow and what Bill calls “GMC red” – is as bold as any of its competitors’. “I was looking for more of a candy apple red,” he recalls, but once on the truck it looked more like burnt orange. They stuck with it anyway.
Johnny says the simple appearance reflects the humble origins of their business of making and mixing concrete in Paris, Ark. – just as the business name, Master Made, reflects God’s influence on them and their business. “The only way we were going to make it was with God’s help,” he says.
The Culvers each received an Overdrive jacket and other Overdrive products for their win.
TONIGHT WE RIDE
First place
1990 Peterbilt 379
Bill and Johnny Culver
I like this truck because:
A. It does not appear that it cost a fortune to outfit this truck. What I see suggests that a show truck can be within reach of a reasonable budget.
B. The name Tonight We Ride speaks with confidence and determination but not arrogance.
C. The Culvers are a small company, and this truck is a testimony to their hard work and success.
D. The clean look of the truck, uncluttered by a lot of graphics and chicken lights, says, unashamedly, “This is a working man’s truck.”
E. I like the small touches, such as the bar under the front bumper and the vertical bars on the grille. However, I might have installed double headlamps instead of the single ones.
F. The Culvers are willing to acknowledge God’s involvement in their work as they share their faith and values in the name of their company, Master Made.
BILL NORTH
Wheaton, Ill.
The truck owned by Bill and Johnny Culver was at a show that our car and truck club put on. This truck won a club award that’s in memory of a special person, the late Michelle Kistler. We picked this truck for many reasons. It had eye appeal. You can see it at a show all shined and polished, as well as going down the road working all shined and polished. This was the one that we wanted to think of when we thought of Michelle. Never give up. No matter what.
BETTY HOLUB
Secretary, Classic Truckers & Cruisers Club
Lavaca, Ark.
This truck is the pride of the road around Paris. The Master Made company logo is “God is Able,” and his light shows in the polish on this truck.
DON CORE
Bank of the Ozarks
Paris, Ark.
This truck is even more impressive when seen up close. It reflects the pride and dedication they have for their trucking company and for the industry as a whole.
DAVID WHITT
Truck shop owner
Fort Smith, Ark.
The Culvers have always had pride in everything they do – their belief in God, their family, and their business. This truck is the best of the best not just because it looks great but because of the love that has gone into it.
TRISH HICE
Ratcliff, Ark.
This truck is always polished and clean. Even if he gets back from taking a load to Alabama at 10:30 at night, Bill still says that his day is not done till he works on his pride and joy, his truck.
DEREK STEWART
Paris, Ark.
I think this is a very pretty truck and always is clean and neat. The driver is a super person and very courteous driver.
JOYCE CORE
Paris, Ark.
PLUM CLASSY
Second place
1988 Peterbilt 379
Neal and Barbara Holsomback
That is one sharp rig!
BECKY BROOKSHIRE
Fairmount, Ga.
I have had the pleasure of seeing this rig on the road, and the name Plum Classy is truly fitting. I mean, spinners on a big rig – please! Fabulous!
H. BETH
Teacher
Calhoun, Ga.
I like the older model Peterbilts. I also like the classy look of the flat top. Putting a truck together from 1988 is much more of a challenge than building one from 2005, and I admire that.
DAVID HINTZE
Owner-operator
Tucson, Ariz.
This truck-trailer combo is breathtaking. The detail, hard work, polish, etc., are well worth it.
DEBBIE MONTGOMERY
Owner-operator
Fayetteville, Ga.
The truck will be famous some day!
JAY BIRDWELL
Calhoun, Ga.
TOTAL OBSESSION
Third place
1999 Kenworth W900L
Roger and Heather Hogeland
“Totally awesome” describes this beauty. Total
Obsession looks like a little city all aglow at night.
BOB PICKLES
West Lorne, Ontario
I had a chance last year to take my 80-year-old mother to see Roger and Heather’s beautiful truck. Mom had no idea anything like this existed. Roger put her behind the wheel and took her picture. She looked around the beautiful interior and said, “These cabinets are nicer than the ones in our house.” She’s now a show truck fan!
SHELLEY BUCHANAN
Sales support analyst
Nashville, Tenn.
This truck is sassy, has a flair and is very exciting. I love the custom paint job that gives this truck character. The other trucks are too feminine and pretty, or they are just another truck with a nice paint job and lots of chrome, which is quite disappointing.
NACH HWANG
Roger and Heather have put so much time and hard work into making this truck what it is. They represent the industry well.
BREANDY TANKERSLEY
Trucker
Morris Chapel, Tenn.
I love the purple paint scheme with the flames.
JAMES HEYDENS
Trucker
Syracuse, N.Y.
A total obsession is what it takes to keep a rig in the condition to keep on winning, and at the same time keep on earning its keep.
ROBERT WARREN
Trucker
Fontana, Calif.
Roger and Heather Hogeland are wonderful people. Total Obsession is nothing but the truth!
BETH WILSON
Housewife
Birmingham, Ala.
