Missed the American Truck Historical Society’s annual convention? Scroll down to check out the photo gallery!
More than 500 vintage trucks were on display during the American Truck Historical Society’s (ATHS) 2026 national convention, held June 4-6 at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds in Springfield, Missouri.
This year’s showcase included first-time participation by truck owners from Mexico. Classico Tractores brought 43 trucks to the show — traveling 1,113 miles from Allende, Nuevo León, Mexico.
“The event attracted more than 4,300 spectators and brought together truck enthusiasts, industry professionals, historians and families to celebrate trucking’s rich heritage,” said Courtney Cesar, ATHS operations director and convention organizer.
Activities
Along with the trucks, the event featured vendors, educational sessions, demonstrations and social activities.
According to the ATHS, educational sessions and live demonstrations were among the event’s most popular attractions. This year’s lineup included winch and transmission demos along with sessions on frame modifications, finding and making parts, and Bigfoot Truck Haulers. Recordings of all the sessions and demos can be found on the ATHS YouTube Channel.
Awards banquet
The ATHS Awards Banquet provided an opportunity for members and volunteers to celebrate the accomplishments of people who have contributed to the trucking industry and the organization’s mission.
The Golden Achievement Award honors individuals with 50 or more years in the trucking industry. This year’s recipient is Tom Henderson of Weedsport, New York. Henderson is a Golden Achievement Award honoree and has been an ATHS member since 1994. Watch Henderson’s video here.
The ATHS Historian Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication to preserving and sharing trucking history. The 2026 recipient is LargeCar magazines editor and owner Steve Ford of Strasburg, Pennsylvania. Watch Ford’s video here.
The 2026 ATHS scholarship winners were also announced during the awards banquet. The following recipients are outstanding students who have positively impacted their communities within and beyond their schools.
George Schroyer Memorial Scholarship Recipients
- Carina Caballero of Montclair, California. Caballero is the daughter of ATHS life member Chris Caballero and the granddaughter of Bruce Caballero.
- Jack Molaison of Waukesha, Wisconsin. Molaison is the grandson of ATHS member Jack Schwerman.
ATHS Cummins Scholarship Recipient
- Addison Alles of Fresno, California. Alles is the daughter of ATHS members Stanley and Diane Alles Lewis.
Semple Clarke Educational Fund Recipient
- Michael Roberson of Knightstown, Indiana. Roberson is the son of Cummins employee Cory Roberson
The American Trucking and Industry Leader Hall of Fame announced its 2026 inductees, who will be honored during an induction ceremony Oct. 22, 2026, at the ATHS headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. This year’s inductees include:
- Chester England, CR England;
- Harold C. Groendyke, Groendyke Transportation; and
- Al Peterman, Peterbilt.
“ATHS thanks all its volunteers and sponsors for helping make the National Convention & Truck Show successful,” said John Gravley, executive director of ATHS. “There was an outstanding variety of trucks and trailers on display, representing different eras, models and levels of restoration.”
The association is already planning next year’s national convention, set for June 10-12, 2027, in Salem, Oregon.
The gallery below is only a small sampling of the trucks on display during the ATHS 2026 convention. All photos are courtesy of ATHS.
Linda Garner-Bunch has been with The Trucker since 2020, picking up the reins as managing editor in 2022. Linda has nearly 40 years of experience in the publishing industry, covering topics from the trucking and automotive industry to employment, real estate, home decor, crafts, cooking, weddings, high school sports — you name it, she’s written about it. She is also an experienced photographer, designer and copy editor who has a heartfelt love for the trucking industry, from the driver’s seat to the C-suite.
