Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/893962
CUSTOM RIGS PRIDE & POLISH 62 | Overdrive | October 2017 Michael Manuel of Front Royal, Virginia, built his "Autism: One of Many" for his 24-year- old daughter, Kara, who has autism. He sees the truck's design as a way to help destigmatize autism. Of the nearly 2,000 puzzle pieces on the custom-built rig, some are welded into the cab floor and the deck plate, as well as on the wheels. All of the metal puzzle pieces were fabricated by Manuel or 4 States Trucks of Joplin, Missouri. Manuel says more than 600 man-hours went into the welding of the floor and deck plate alone. This 2015 Peterbilt 389 and 2016 Mac curtainside rig are part of his 30-truck fleet that runs flatbed nationwide. GATS BEST OF SHOW, BUILDERS CLASS Two circles, five awards Jon Donadio painted the hood of this 1996 Kenworth W900 to match the name of his small fleet, Double Green Circle. The rehab project on the truck, originally painted blue, included rebuilding the engine, adding a new transmission, cutting and stretching the frame, doing the paint job and more. It pulls a 2018 East trailer. In addition to picking up Best of Show honors, Donadio also took home third place in the Combo-Open category, third place in Interior-OEM Sleeper, third place in Paint-Combo and second place in Engine. Double Green Circle operates six trucks and nine trailers out of Guilford, Connecticut. GATS BEST OF SHOW, WORKING COMBO Puzzle comes together for autism theme 365Trucking.com 365Trucking.com