“Free Spirit,” as seen on Country Music Television’s Trick My Truck will be on display at the 2006 ATA Management Conference & Exhibition (MC&E) to be held Oct. 29-31 in Grapevine, Texas.

Each week on “Trick My Truck,” a team of top big rig mechanics “steals” the truck of a lucky driver and takes it on a “you’ve-got-to-see-it-to-believe-it” trip to the shop. The truck is rebuilt to better-than-new condition, polished to perfection, and customized as only the body shop artists of the Chrome Shop Mafia can do.
Among this year’s winners was Darlene Swift, one of the pioneering women drivers in the trucking industry. Darlene will bring her rig, “Free Spirit,” to Grapevine to share this truly spectacular transformation with MC&E attendees.
Bryan and Ryno, two of the ringleaders of the Chrome Shop Mafia, will appear at the Exhibit Hall Grand Opening to explain how they work their magic.
The wizards of the workbench added new leather couches, a custom paint job, hardwood floors, a flat screen TV – even a dog shower for Roper, Darlene’s canine traveling companion. But if it sounds too pretty to drive, think again – Darlene is already looking forward to traveling the next million miles in comfort and style, thanks to the craftsmanship and imagination of the “Trick My Truck” team.
Darlene hauls refrigerated goods cross-country for Wayne Baker Trucking of Taylor Ridge, Ill. and with nearly a million miles on the log, her rig needed some serious work.
Michelin donated new, top-of-the-line tires. Eaton presented her with a new transmission. Detroit Diesel and its subsidiary, Detroit Diesel Remanufacturing, pitched in on Darlene’s behalf and donated a completely overhauled Series 60 engine. And, these are only a few of the generous contributions by industry suppliers.
The completely refurbished 2000 Freightliner Classic will be on display in Booth 136 from Oct. 29-31 with special appearances by Darlene Swift during exhibit hours. Bryan and Ryno, of the Chrome Shop Mafia, will appear at the Exhibit Hall Grand Opening on Sunday, Oct. 29 in Booth 141. Also, on display in the exhibit hall will be Wayne Baker’s refurbished 2002 Peterbilt.