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Overdrive
| July 2014
The original Peterbilt
Text
INFO
to
205-289-3555
or
visit
www.ovdinfo.com
Custom Rigs
T
he oldest known complete and operable
Peterbilt, a 1939 Model 260 – just one
of 15 built by the truck maker that year
– is currently on display at Peterbilt's manufac-
turing facility in Denton, Texas.
But the rig hasn't always had such top-notch
treatment. Nearly 20 years ago, it sat rusting in
an Arizona desert.
That changed, however, when Bob Dean, who
runs a restoration shop in Baton Rouge, La.,
heard about the old Pete in 1996. "I wanted to
do this one because it was special," Dean says.
After researching and finding out 1939 was
Peterbilt's transition year and realizing the
truck's egg crate grille was unique, Dean decided
to make the trip to Arizona to obtain the truck,
which originally was built for Kentner Truck
Lines in San Francisco.
"When we got it, it was a pile of rust," Dean
says. His team had to rebuild the truck's door
jams, hood and grille. "Everything you touch,
you can't buy," he says. "You have to figure out
how they made it 75 years ago."
Peterbilt's archives helped with the restoration
process. "Peterbilt kept excellent records," Dean
says. "They had the bill sheet [for the truck]. It
gave me some kind of idea."
Two of the biggest challenges were the engine,
Oldest known complete Pete sees new life at Texas plant BY TARA BULLOCK
Above: Nearly 20 years ago, the 1939 Model
260 sat in an Arizona desert, neglected and
inoperable.
Left: Bob Dean's restoration team helped
reclaim and restore this 1939 Model 260. It
is on display at the truck maker's facility in
Denton, Texas.
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