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MARC'S LONG TIME LOVE AFFAIR
This month's Readers And Their Rigs is a love story. Marc Simpson (39) of Escondido, California, fell in love with this truck back in the mid-1980s when he first saw it. A guy named Gil owned the truck and took great care of it. Over time, Marc lost touch with Gil and didn't see him or the old Pete for years. Four years ago Marc signed on with Sandvik Trucking and at his first pickup saw Gil and the old Pete. After catching up, Gil informed Marc that he was looking to upgrade. Marc passed this information on to the owners of the company (Bill & Marie Sandvik) and they bought the truck. Marc, with the help of Bill & Marie, fixed up the truck, but made sure to keep it original. The truck's color scheme (metallic brown with cream-colored graphics) and overall look is indicative of trucks of its era. Marc didn't want it to look like a "show truck" but instead a nostalgic rig. Except for the bumper, half fenders, some LED lights, dual breathers and nickel-plated stacks, the truck is stock and original. Marc says that the old 1984 Pete 359, which has a 63-inch flat top sleeper, 425 Cat, 13-speed tranny and "Classic" interior, gets just as many looks at the shows as the fancy new trucks. Unfortunately, Marc doesn't get to drive it on his regular run (California to Arizona and Nevada with tile and granite) because the truck, which has over 2,000,000 miles on it, is too small and under-powered. But he does get to take it to the shows. Marc is very particular about who he lets drive the truck - so particular that he often wonders why Bill & Marie haven't fired him yet (after all, it is their truck). After a lifetime of driving, Marc believes this will be his last job. Not only does he love this truck, but he loves working at Sandvik - so he ain't going anywhere soon! |
