EARLY MORNINGS AT THE MARKET

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This month, we see a dark blue and white Peterbilt high-mount conventional owned by John Chang Trucking, based in Dinuba, California. The year appears to be a 1954 model. John Chang ran a small fleet of rigs, hauling produce from northern California into the many produce distributors in Los Angeles during the 1950s and 60s, running as far as Arizona to pick up loads. This picture was taken near the downtown (Los Angeles) produce market near 7th and Central around 1964. The trailer appears to be a 40-footer, which was the trailer length that prevailed during the 1960s, way before the longer 48- and 53-footers that are a common sight along today’s interstates. I can’t say with any certainty what this Peterbilt had for power, but many produce haulers were running big powered engines (like 335 horsepower Cummins) to get their rigs to the produce markets on time. Most of the loading and unloading took place in the wee hours of the morning, while most of the consuming public were fast asleep. Most of the produce business that was transacted was already over when most of the other "regular" businesses were just starting their day.