Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/611028
CUSTOM RIGS PRIDE & POLISH 56 | Overdrive | December 2015 W isconsin-based owner- operator Jon Eilen and his 2010 Peterbilt 389 and matching Macsimizer trailer are the winners of Overdrive's special edition 25th Anniversary Truckers' Choice. The contest celebrated the 25th an- niversary of Overdrive's Pride & Polish, featuring the 20 National Champions from the last five years. The contest was narrowed down to five finalists after the first round of voting. Eilen's truck won out over Austin Ashley's 2007 Peterbilt 379, Vinnie Diorio's 2013 Peterbilt 389 and Mac curtainside trailer, Phil Mill- er's 2010 Peterbilt 389 and Wilson livestock trailer, and Randy Stroup's 1986 Peterbilt 359. Eilen and his "Iron Afflicted" won the first-ever Pride & Polish National Championship series held in 2011. The truck and its build were spurred by the death of his brother, Jake, who was a trucker and an award-winning custom truck builder in his own right. Jon Eilen bought the Pete new in 2009, and he immediately began the custom rebuild. Nearly all of the work was done at his shop with the help of his brother, Pat, and other fam- ily members. "Everything flows from front to back," Jon Eilen says. "I wanted the black and orange to carry through, and it does, inside and out. Motor, truck, trailer – every- thing's got it." IRON AFFLICTED, REVIVED In a Pride & Polish 25th anniversary contest, readers selected Jon Eilen's Pete 389 as Truckers' Choice champion. By James Jaillet The "Iron Afflicted" customization was spurred by the death of Jon Eilen's brother, Jake, who also was an award-winning custom truck builder. "I wanted the black and orange to carry through, and it does, inside and out," Jon Eilen says.