PORK
CHOP’S EXTREMELY
This month’s Readers And Their Rigs features Paul “Pork Chop” Kramer and his super-long Peterbilt. Paul (40) is an owner operator running under the name Image Specialized Transport, Inc. out of Fort Smith, Arkansas. Currently hauling cars (lease returns) between Indiana and California, Paul has been running trucks since he was seventeen years old. His current ride is the unique 1990 Peterbilt 379 pictured here. Powered by a 3406-B Cat engine and a 15-speed overdrive transmission, this bright red rig has a host of custom features including Harley-style, 6-inch side-pipes, a 330-inch wheelbase, fiberglass front and rear fenders (the rears were added after this photo was taken), hand-cut hood vents, and headlights off of a 1932 Dusenburg automobile, complete with low, medium and high beams. Covered with lights, the tractor has approximately 225 LEDs and the trailer has another 180. Inside the cab, the interior is mostly stock except for some extra gauges and chrome that Paul added to the dash. He also made and installed his own custom shift knob, foot pedals, shift tower plate and a hardwood floor. Much of the work was done years ago, so Paul is planning on redoing some of it in the near future. With its wild side-pipes, the truck has a distinctive sound as it rolls down the road - and rolls it does. This rig has over 2.5 million miles on it, and everywhere it goes, crowds gather to gawk and take pictures. But if you see Paul out on the road, don’t offer him a pork chop. It might be his handle, but he doesn’t even like them. Go figure! We’d like to thank Paul’s close friend Terry Kuhl for taking the time to send us the pictures and letter. |
