Last updated on August 18, 2023
Today’s featured vehicle is a 1974 Peterbilt Long Nose that is scaled down to 60% of the actual size. It was created and owned by Richard Tupper. I photographed this car at Caffeine Cruisers Cars and Coffee located at the 17400 Hawthorne Blvd. Torrance, CA. Richard sold this truck in 1985 to a man who sold ponies and thought it would be very fitting to bring his ponies to horse shows with a truck that matched their reduced size. Richard got a call in 2006 from the guy and he said do you want the truck back, and by the way it has a blown engine. Richard said no. The guy said it is yours all the paper work is signed and all you have to do is pick it up. Well, Richard said it was much easier to rebuild and restore than it took to build it originally!
This custom made aluminum body Peterbilt rests on a 1984 Chevrolet 1 ton dually chassis. It is finished in Black with a Denim and Gray Interior. It is powered by a 502 hp, 505 cu in, Big-Block Chevrolet V8 crate engine, with a Holley 870 CFM four-barrel carburetor that is mated to a GM TH-400 3-speed automatic transmission with a Gear Vendor Overdrive with a splitter that drives all eight rear wheels. Slowing it down are disc brakes up front and drum brakes on the tandem rear axles. It has independent front suspension with dual A-arms with coil springs and the tandem rear axles have air suspension.
The MSRP of a full size Peterbilt trucks in the 1970s ran from $28,000.00 to $35,000.00. Today one can run you from $160,000 to $300,000 depending on the model and customization. PACCAR is a global technology leader in the design, manufacture and customer support of premium light, medium and heavy duty trucks under the Peterbilt, Kenworth and DAF truck emblems. While Headquartered in Denton, Texas, the company also manufactures trucks in Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec, Canada and Mexicali, Mexico.
This is a beautiful example of what a creative mind can imagine, but It is mind boggling the research and effort that goes into produce what you imagine. What a great truck to take to car shows, and Cars and Coffee events. It draws crowds where ever Richard takes it. Hats off to the Tupper Family. Thanks for riding along. Frank
