TEN FOUR MAGAZINE - TRUCKING ON-LINE MAGAZINE FOR TRUCKERS

NOVEMBER 2003 WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO...

Mr. “K” and His Chromed-Out KW’s

Story and Photo by Truck Historian/Author Stan Holtzman

(Click on image for larger photo)

Pictured here in this 1966 photo is a 1965 Kenworth K-100 owned by Nathan King, dba Mr. K Transportation of Los Angeles, California. Rumor had it that Nathan King was related to the late Dr. Martin Luther King, the civil rights leader. That would make sense, as Nathan King was a Black trucker, and most of his drivers were also Black. The Mr. “K” rigs, that I can recall, were either Kenworth cab-overs (like the one seen here), or wide-hood conventionals that sported quite a bit of chrome for their time. Colors of the fleet were maroon, black and white. The Mr. “K” rigs ran from Los Angeles to New York and New Jersey, hauling what ever could fit in their trailers. I cannot say, with any accuracy, when the Mr. “K” rigs faded into trucking history, but for the few years that Nathan King was in business, his rigs managed to turn the heads of many a trucker running coast-to-coast. Any one who knows the whereabouts of Nathan King or who can tell me why he is gone, can contact me through the magazine at 1-888-440-4104.