LOUISVILLE
REMEMBERED
By Owner Operators Rod & Kim Grimm

Waiting for a year proved to be well worth it, as I knew it would be! Saturday afternoon at the truck show in Louisville, we got to take delivery of our brand new, no cleaning required, truck and trailer in the 10-4 booth. I wonder if they would let us compete with it next year? Maybe then we could just be spectators, for once.

Master model builder Kuenn McClinton of De-Elegant Model Truck Fleet did an outstanding job, as we knew he would, and we couldn’t be happier with it! The attention to detail is absolutely incredible!! Inside the bunk has the cabinet fronts, my curio cabinets and wood floors - it’s so amazing. The hood rolls over to show our CAT engine. The trailer has custom built boxes between the spread axles, shiny back doors, the reefer unit and all the other goodies the real thing has. The color blue couldn’t be more perfect! We’ve seen Kuenn’s work and are always amazed at the mind-blowing extremes he goes to when making these models. Kuenn, we would like to thank you again for all the extra effort you put into getting this model to us in Louisville. You made a perfect recreation of the truck and trailer we love so much. If you would like to have Kuenn build a model of the truck or truck and trailer that you love, contact him at De-Elegant Model Truck Fleet in Chicago, IL at (773) 379-1055.

We’ve took it to show everyone at the company we’re leased to and the owner, Gene, kindly offered to build a special shelf if I would want to leave it in his care! Sorry, but it already has it’s own parking place reserved on top of our entertainment center at home, next to the 2nd place trophy we received this year in our class and the Best of Show trophy from last year.

When we stopped in at Blast Graphics in Hartland, Wisconsin, Maryann, our graphics specialist, was able to add a few more graphic details. She added the “Illusion” on the bumper, as well as our base plate and CAT plate. She also added the license plate, Panelite plate and the Stars and Stripes sticker on the back of the trailer. We would like to thank her for the original graphics that we love so much on the big truck, and for all the extra effort she put into downsizing them for our new model.

The guys at Altorfer CAT and Kenworth of Cedar Rapids we’re equally impressed with all the detail that Kuenn had done. I told Pat, “This one I won’t be bringing you to work on!” We we’re happy to be able to share this with everyone that takes such good care of the real truck and trailer that brings home the bacon.

This was the highlight of Louisville for us this year and I don’t think we’ll ever be able to top it. We will be taking the model to the 25th Anniversary Walcott Truckers Jamboree on July 8th & 9th, and next year Kuenn has asked us to bring it back to Louisville to be on display. So if you didn’t get to see it, you still have a few chances.

Rod and I also attended the Kenworth Drivers Board Meeting on Friday morning at the show and learned about new things that KW has planned - and, as always, they asked about our opinions and what we as drivers would like to see Kenworth do. They also wanted input on the new hours of service and anti-idling laws. Jeff Sass and everyone at Kenworth, thanks for really caring and building such a GREAT truck (I am a little prejudice).

Not all was fun in Louisville this year and we hate to have to report a tragedy. Steve Brooks, who didn’t show this year but has shown his big bunk green Pete called “Emerald Palace” in previous years, received news that his daughter Lisa Page Brooks McDowell was killed in a car accident on Thursday night in Louisville (the first day of the show). What a sad and terrible way to lose a child. We want to express our deepest sympathy to Steve and Martha Brooks, as well as the rest of their family and friends. Then, on Saturday, our dear friend Russ Brown had to leave the show early to come home to Vinton, IA to be with his mother Betty, who passed away a week later on April 3rd. Our sympathies go out to Russ and Debbie and their entire family.

As usual, if you’ve ever been to the truck show in Louisville, Kentucky, then you know that there is way too much to do and not nearly enough time to come close to doing or seeing everything you wanted to.

One of the things that Rod and I really wanted to check into while at the show was getting a generator. With the price of fuel going up the way it is and the new anti-idling laws that some states are passing (and states that have had these laws and are now starting to enforce them), I think we’ll be forced to do something pretty soon. I’ve heard some chatter about ridiculous fines for violations that, along with fuel savings, will make the investment in a generator seem cheap. I’ll try to do some research on this subject and report more later.

Finishing on a bright note, we are so PROUD to be a part of a book written by our friend, photojournalist Bette Garber. “Custom Semi Trucks” is the name of the book and Bette was presented with a BEST OF BOOKS award by the Truck Writers of North America at the show in Louisville. Not only was Bette asked to autograph many books, but several people asked that drivers with trucks in the book sign their name by their truck. It was like signing your yearbook, only better! Being part of this class of 28 working show trucks is definitely an honor. Hey, I got several friends to sign our book and it will be something I treasure. Now, no matter what happens, these trucks will remain in their glory days forever. Thanks, Bette.

Take care and be safe. As spring warms up and people start traveling more, be sure to keep a watchful eye out for all the happy kids that finally get to be outside playing again - they are not always as careful as they should be.