The long story
While I dont remember what Ricks official position or title was. It's safe to say he was the man in charge of stewarding the Elk Grove Ultra Truckworks location. That's how we met, him smiling behind the counter talking shit between phones and paperwork. Ultra Truckworks is a throwback shop. Not many left like it at least not in California. When as a new Truck accessory business opened in place of a welding shop that had done some exhaust work on my first car. I had to check it out, little did I know I'd soon thereafter become a regular. Largely because of Rick. He would become not only an oracle to all things suspension and many things automotive but best of all a friend.
I watched him grow that location as if it was his own. Salesman, scheduler, purchaser, stocker, installer the man did it all. Despte being pulled in a hundred differant directions. He always had time for advice. Rick and the Ultra Truck Works crew would ultimately end up modifying and maintaining in some capacity every vehicle I own. For me, Rick would set the tone for what a shop could be. For what customer service should be. As I could afford modifications moving from stock, to static drop, to air, Rick was there. Guiding and offering suggestions and help. Most impactful was his commitment to his customers. I can’t tell you how many times Rick himself or another employee would be dispatched. Either to fix or air up Trucky Verde so it could be towed or recovered. Sometimes driving over an hour each way to recue me from my stupidity.
I want to stress, things happen. Sometimes manufactured parts fail. When an issue has occurred it's normally not been because of some flaw or issue of craftsmanship. Sadly most of the time it's because I drive like an asshole and do so in a bagged vehicle. The point is Rick always stood by his work and customers. He always made things right, I’ve personally seen him take a loss to save a customer. When things got difficult Rick would just smile, shrug and kept it moving always looking for the solution not dwelling on the failure. This kind of service may sound like a no brainer to most but sadly these days it's a massive exception. When I hear that tired ass phrase, "Going above and beyond." after I recover from the eye rolling, if I am honest, I think of Rick. Keep in mind I started doing business with Rick and Ultra truckworks in my late teens or twenties I’m in my 40s now. So this is over decades.
Every time I was at the shop, Ricks show truck, Sonomair would be there. Wether I was picking up parts or getting a full install or maintenance done, or just stopping in to shoot the shit. There she was. Either out front or right there on the showroom floor. Keep in mind this is the personal truck of a guy running very successful accessory shop. When it came to building his own truck Rick didn't just have access to the candy store he had the keys to the kingdom. He ran the candy store! Rick also had been in the scene his whole life. As such became a "brand ambassador" before being an influencer was a thing. So no surprise, Ricks Sonomair got the best of everything. As fast a new stuff came out, if it was cool, Rick had it. From Suspension and breaks to stereo gear and Billet accessories.
We were all so stoked when Ricks truck was published in August 2005 Volume 7 Number 8 of Street Trucks Magazine.
Now you know why I have been looking for copies! if you have one laying around please hit me up I'd like to score a few more!
Seeing Ricks truck in a legit magazine like Street Trucks kinda felt like we'd all won, Rick seemed to take it in stride. I believe the truck was at SEMA at least once for Viar or air ride technologies or both? If anyone knows or has pics id love to see them/ hear the story. But on that I can't be sure. Sonomair was driven and towed to shows all over but mostly it lived on the showroom floor at Ultra Truck works.
I know I am not the only one. But pretty much every conversation I would have with Rick at the shop would ultimately include a “Hey Rick, when are you gonna sell me that truck”. Rick would always smile and id either get a smart ass negative or if he was to busy, he'd just shake his head no way.
Sadly Ricks hard work ethic caught up with him and he was liquidating his cars in preparation for retirement. I watched as a few other rides get sold and was horrified at what became of a few of them. As I mentioned, I was not shy about letting Rick know I wanted the Sonomair. One day much to my surprise Rick offered me a shot, I won't say how much but Rick gave me a number. I was foaming at the mouth but I felt the number was low. I know that sounds odd but Rick wasn't just a guy who ran a shop to me. by this time I counted him as a friend and I was afraid to buy it and sour our relationship. So I told Rick take a few days let someone else make an offer and I would beat that offer. I wanted it bad. What I didnt know was Ricks health was worse than he'd been letting on and he needed that amount. So when the next guy came along cash in hand, Rick took the offer and she was gone.
I was heartbroken, but I understood.
Ricks retirement from Ultra truck works didn't mean we lost touch. Unfortunately though, as I'd feared, discussing Sonomair became a soar spot. Rick wouldn't say who purchased her or where she went. Not to me or anyone else in the shop. She was gone. Not long after we lost Rick my desire to find that truck grew immensely. Sightings had been few and far between. Than one day while surfing the instas there she was. @Lodi _low had posted some show coverage from a mini truck meet. My heart stopped I couldn't type out my request for more shots or info on its current owner fast enough.
The Hunt was on! Thanks to that one post I was able to track the truck to its new owner. I ultimately would find the truck still in Elk Grove but out in the country a ways. The good news? The current owner had several vehicles so Sonomair wasn't getting driven that often. Explaining why sightings had been so rare. The bad news, it had spent much off the last few years outside. So the paint and uncleared pin striping and gold leaf wasn't fairing to well. I was able to make contact with the current owner. After a few in person conversations a deal was struck hands shook. I rushed home to start moving things around to get the money together when I got a text that he was backing out. He wasn't ready to let it go just yet. Man I was bummed but I wasnt about to give up. Every few months I would text, just a nudge saying hello and that I was still interested. This would go on for a little over a year.
At the beginning of October a few days before my birthday. I got the call. The current owner was ready to let her go for real this time. My hands were shaking. I couldn't believe it. Now I gotta be up front. I am not a rich guy. buying this truck is the stupidest thing I could do right now. I dont have the cash to complete the projects I have now let alone start a whole new one. But the thought of loosing the truck again was un bearable. The idea of someone else getting her and changing her up or worse the truck being wrecked... No way. After talking it over with the wife she said "Do it, you won't get another chance and if you dont you'll always regret it." So I sold a few things and moved a few things around and made it happen. a few days before my birthday I was the owner of Ricks Sonomair!
I didn't even drive it. I put the call out to Joe the current Steward of Ultra Truck Works and let him know what was happening. I have rarely had my phone blow up like it did that day, guys were calling me from all over. Rick was a pillar of the Nor Cal scene and his truck was an inspiration for all of us. Joe sent one of his guys to help me get her back to the shop after cash was exchanged. I'm sure it won't be a surprise to any one, when I tell you as we all stood there shaking our heads in disbelief. Seeing Ricks truck back in the stall at Ultra Truck Works was a hell of a moment. We all took turns wandering off for a second or two.
Since that day I have been receiving calls pretty continuously. People coming into the shop seeing the truck and sharing memories. Its been incredible. The Guys at Ultra are taking their time, going through the breaks, suspension and air management. Some cosmetics were changed by the new owner. The tail lights and fogs and those are being sourced and replaced. Rick also had a set of street scene mirrors that have been lost. Another set has been located and is being paint matched. Unfortunately the crazy for the time stereo was also largely pulled. A cd player VCR TV tuner satalite radio. All that period craziness had been pulled in favor of a modern double din deck. Thankfully the OG Lanzar amps and Sub remains largely untouched as did the majority of the billet accessories.
After much thought and discussion my plans are to restore the truck back to Ricks vision. Well as close as I can. The previous owner made a few changes during her time with him. I mentioned being a SEMA build for Viar or Air Ride at one time it had their entire compressor catalog installed in the bed. All painted and striped to match. has been removed. The custom stereo gear as well as a custom center console that held that stuff was also removed. If everything had still been in place I wouldnt have changed a thing. But since it's gone I will use that excuse to make a few concessions. I do plan on changing the deck, updating the alarm and switching to full Accu Air managemnet. That said the paint, stripes original Boyd wheels. The interior upholstery will all remain as Rick intended. The truck will spend most of its time living back at Ultra Truck works. Back on their showroom floor as it did when Rick was alive. I'll pick it up when the mood strikes me for a cruise or show.
Rick was a humble guy. I think he'd be surprised by how happy everyone is to have his old truck back in the shop. By how many guys he and his S 15 inspired. Or how much we all miss him being at the shop.
James
The Lowered HMFIC
Edit
Since writing this I brought the truck home. In preparation of debuting it at the upcoming Radwood show. I will talk about it more in the pod cast but literally every time I have driven it someone has stopped me or pulled up next to me. Motioning for me to roll my windows down and said, "IS THAT RICKS TRUCK!!" And every single time no matter what I was in the middle of doing I have pulled over, met with and let them see the truck.
This will never be my truck, I am just its current caretaker and I'm perfectly Ok with that.
Rest in peace Rick and thank you for always being there, always answering that call or text. You sir are missed.
James
The Lowered HMFIC
Comments