Idaho couple’s 1940 Ford pickup wins best of show

The husband and wife team of Kevin and Tamie Merrill of Idaho Falls, Idaho, captured the prestigious Best of Show honors and a $3,000 prize for their 1940 Ford pickup in the annual Mesquite Motor Mania.

Married for 26 years, the Merrills made the long trip to Mesquite after reading a magazine article about the 600-car show sponsored by the Mesquite Resort Association. The event, presented Jan. 14-16, drew capacity crowds throughout the weekend.

"This is a great bonding tool," said Tamie Merrill. "We really enjoy working on the car together, and this is a wonderful ending to a great weekend. We have won several awards with the truck, but this is the most money we have ever won with it."

Tamie Merrill gets credit for picking the special-blend candy-color paint and the custom interior.

"The car was built by Tom's Classic Customs," said Kevin Merrill, a 53-year-old siding contractor who said the couple travels to Mesquite several times each year. "It's a 700-mile trip, but well worth it."

Kevin Merrill said the truck has a 383 Stroker engine with a 671 blower aka supercharger.

"It's mainly a show car, but we drive it around a little bit," he said.

"We'll be back next year, for sure," added Kevin Merrill. "I thought it was a great show. We have been to several shows, and this one was really nice."

Mesquite Motor Mania featured more than 260 trophies and an estimated $15,000 in prize money. Combined with great music, the gathering of classic cars culminated by packing the CasaBlanca Showroom Sunday afternoon.

The weekend also included a Golf Fore Life tournament and the inaugural $5,000 Smokin' Big Chili Challenge sanctioned by the International Chili Society on Sunday, generating more than $8,000 for the Mesquite Cancer Help Society.