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DR. BILL’S PIECE OF THE P.I.E. Words and Photos by Truck Historian/Author Stan Holtzman
This beautifully restored 1954 White Freightliner is owned by a successful dentist named Bill Comcowich, of Aspen, Colorado. To put himself through dental school, “Dr. Bill” as he is known, drove for the tanker division of P.I.E. (Pacific Intermountain Express), home based in Oakland, California. The bright red P.I.E. tankers, freight and flatbed rigs were as common a sight on our nation’s highways as were the old Burma Shave signs that are now a part of American folk lore. The tanker division of P.I.E. came as a result when P.I.E. took over the operations of West Coast Fast Freight and its sister company, System Tank Lines. For well over 60 years, P.I.E. stood as one of the largest LTL and truckload carriers in the United States, and their tanker division was a common sight in the 11 western states. Sadly, P.I.E. closed their doors over 10 years ago after deregulation of the trucking industry became law. I would like to hear from any of the old-timers out there that drove for P.I.E. Please contact me through the magazine by calling 1-888-440-4104. Thank you. |
