DECEMBER 2010 OLD TIME TRUCKS
DAVE PEROVICH’S W900A
By Old Truck Nuts John & Shirley Sponholtz
Still a working truck (sort of), this beautiful 1980 Kenworth W900A, with its 60-inch original Kenworth sleeper, is all decked out and proud of it. It is owned by Dave Perovich of Albuquerque, New Mexico, who bought the truck used from his local Kenworth dealer in 1989. When Dave bought the Kenworth it was painted red and had a 400 Cummins Big Cam I engine that was worn out and a Kenworth Glide Ride suspension. Dave refurbished the truck and extended the wheelbase to 265 inches, repaired the body, and gave it a brand new paint job. He also replaced the powertrain with a 400 Caterpillar 3406B engine, backed by a 15-speed overdrive transmission, and installed 3.70 Eaton rear-ends and a Peterbilt air-leaf suspension. He also installed a Jake brake, train horns, seven-inch stacks and twin air seats. Dave says, “It has all the chicken lights and gingerbread anyone could want.” Since he bought it, Dave has only put about 250,000 miles on his Kenworth, much of it with a co-driver running team. Dave’s company, Colomex Transportation, is a specialty tanker company that hauls fuel, cryogenics, hydrogen, propane and hot oil. Being the owner of the company, Dave and his truck are the last to go out if needed, so the old KW doesn’t get out as often as it used to. But, keep your eyes peeled for this head-turning rig, as it still runs through the Southwest from time-to-time.