COMMENTS ON THE AMERICAN TRUCK HISTORICAL SOCIETY ANNUAL MEET 2003 IN SYRACUSE, NY

The show this year was the largest ever with approximately 1200 units displayed. It was tough to try and photograph each individual unit and ask questions pertaining to some of the more unusual trucks there.

One that particularly caught my attention was a 1980 W900 extended hood Kenworth. It was originally powered by a 12V71 Detroit, but when this engine blew up it was difficult to obtain a replacement for a Detroit Diesel, since V12's at that time had been replaced by 8V92's. In the end the put a marine 12V92 twin turbo engine in it. The hood has small bulges on each side to accomodate these turbos.

This being an East Coast meet, Mack and Brockway were extremely well represented. There were types of Mack's I had never knew existed including several old chain drive AC Models. I was surprised how many Brockways were V12 powered. Several Dodge Big Horns were also prominently displayed.

Several bed bug haulers had their equipment on display. One of them was "Mackie the Mover" from Oshowa, Ontario, Canada with his restored 1953 bullnose Kenworth cabover and matching trailer painted in the old North American Van Lines paint scheme.

Quite a number of trucks from north of the border were on display, also. One of the more eye catching was a '73 Western Star from Quebec with a rather long wheel base, pit fenders and a butterfly hood. It was the only Western Star at the show and in like new condition. There was also only one Hayes truck there, that being a 1962 cabover.

There were several trucks and trailers that made the trip from California and it's hard not to notice an old KW with one of those beautiful 50" polished aluminum Mercury sleepers.

See ya on down the road.

Dan