Fifty Chevrolet trucks will stop by Kingsburg for the 13th annual Car Show on April 21. But these aren't your run-of-the-mill vehicles.

Keith Cox, the host of the truck event, said these trucks are retro-designed and rare.

"[The Chevrolet SSR] is a hard-top convertible Chevrolet truck," Cox said. He said that the model was only made between 2003 and 2006, and only 24,114 vehicles of its kind were ever built.

Owners throughout California, Arizona, Nevada, Texas and British Columbia will come to town as part of a third annual rally. This year, it's called the "Roadster Run to Ragged Point."

Though their cars don't qualify for the competition because they were not built before 1972, the club proudly displays them for visitors at the Car Show to enjoy.

Jess Chambers, executive director of the Kingsburg Chamber of Commerce, said the club has been displaying their cars at the show for several years.

"They aren't in competition," Chambers said. "That club gathers here and enjoys the show. They are helping with some of the organization. They give us some manpower."

Cox has been involved in the car show for four years.

"The first time was right after the vehicle came out," Cox said.

He said that he went to great lengths to get the car that soon.

"Mine was one of the first [Chevrolet SSR trucks] here in the Valley," Cox said. "I had to fly to Montana and drive it home. There were only a little over 300 [made] in the first year."

It is with this enthusiasm that other truck owners will be visiting not only Kingsburg, but a Sunday drive to Cambria, Cayucos, Morro Bay and Solvang.

Cox invites other local SSR owners to attend all or part of the weekend's activities. For those interested, please look at the calendar on www.ssrfanatic.com.

(March 21, 2007)