Over 60 years ago my grandfather started trucking on his own, hauling produce off the farm, and later, hay from Eastern to Western Washington and Canada. My dad followed the same path, purchasing his first truck in 1970, and hauling hay. He also ran a lot of produce out of California, and for over the last 20 years, has been dump trucking. He has always owned super-clean rides that represented the West Coast well. This is my trucking heritage.
As a former owner-operator, I started my own business in 1999. I also ran California, pulled flatbeds and dump trucked. In 2006 I ventured out and became a chrome shop owner with my 
wife, while still hauling hay and building supplies across Oregon, Washington and Idaho, with my own truck, to supplement our income.
After the economy tanked in 2009, I was forced to quit self-employment and go back to working for wages. After four years of driving for a local hay company, I was blessed with the opportunity to sell Kenworth trucks. I began working for Papé Kenworth Northwest in Yakima, Washington, where I have been a new and used truck salesman for almost five years. With the passion I have for trucks and a dedication to take care of my customers, it has been a great fit.
When I first started selling trucks, I was fortunate to be able to meet and work with some great customers but was never able to build a real “one off” highway truck until a friend of mine, Brett Millard of Millard Enterprises Inc., let me work with him 
on a new W900L.
Brett owned a beautiful 379 Peterbilt that he took immaculate care of but was getting tired of working on it nights and weekends, fixing all the little things, which started to nickel and dime him to death. After a lot of thought, he decided to give me a call and spec out his new W900L. Taking cues from his Peterbilt, along with some ideas he and I both had, together we made one of my favorite trucks, so far. In the end, it is the customer’s vision that gets built – I am just the conduit that makes that vision come to life.
The 2016 W900L was ordered with a 600 ISX, an 18-speed and 40K rears on AG400L. The wheelbase was set at 270” to make the truck manageable in the hay stack yards and keep the proportions looking right. After the truck 
arrived, it was sent directly to Kevin Pickett at Pickett Repair in Marysville, Washington, where it got an air-ride steer axle, shaved turn signals, bus lights, an RLK visor and a custom deck plate. After the air cleaners and tanks were painted, Hogebuilt half fenders were installed.
This truck came out super-clean due to keeping the extra add-ons to a minimum and by ordering as many delete options as possible. My motto has always been, “It is easier to drill a hole than to fill a hole.” This goes for all the stock W900s I order, as well. If someone wants extras, we can put them on, but if someone wants a cleaner look, they don’t have to spend a bunch of money doing 
body work to make it happen.
Since this W900L was built, it has opened up doors that have allowed me to do what I love. I have met a bunch of awesome people since selling Kenworths. I consider all of them friends and treat them like family. I hope to continue to be a part of the custom truck world for years and gain many more friends along the way.
If you are in the market for a new or used truck or would like to custom spec a new KW, please contact me at Papé Kenworth Northwest in Yakima, Washington, at (509) 452-8564. I look forward to featuring some of my other custom builds in upcoming issues of 10-4 Magazine. Thanks to Colby Williams of Fueled Photography for supplying the pictures for this story.
2 Comments
I am a customer of cory’s, and I am here to tell you, he is in it for the customer. He was very instrumental in helping me spec out my very first brand new truck. He even made it possible for me to take the plant tour in Renton, Wa. Where I was able to see my truck on the assembly line, and be the first person to start the engine. I only hope I can work with him again in the future to expand my business, and spec. out another new Kenworth.
Id like to offer sincere gratitude to Cory, and his family, for their patience and thoughtfulness during the entire process of spec’ing my first brand new truck.
I sought out Cory specifically, to walk me through the ordering process. For several reasons. One reason was because we both knew each other from working with Brian Van Laar, years ago. Another reason was the stunning example of what a kenworth should look like, as evidenced in The white w9 he ordered with Brett M. And since I knew Cory has the same eye for classic style, and custom cool touches that I had in mind for my truck, the choice to order through Cory was perfectly clear.
I had a specific vision for what i wanted. And buying a new truck is not something i take lightly. I wanted it to be perfect. Cory listend and undertood my vision and he was sacrificially determined to see that my vision became a reality. He spent time away from his family to ensure we didn’t skip any fine details. And even showed me options i never knew were available.
I have a beautiful 3-tone green, 2017 w-900 that looks exactly how i dreamed it would look. Rather than settling for something “close”. Thank you Cory, and thank your family.
Pape kenworth should be proud that you draw in customers who demand the worlds best.
Sincerely, Trevor Hardwick. Stanwood Wa.