The detail that stopped me cold on this one: a 1959 GMC DF 860, the Cannonball, running a Detroit Diesel 6-71 with a Jake brake and a 10-speed Roadranger manual behind it. That powertrain in a truck this age is a treat, and the maker reports it is a blast to drive and starts fine down to 35 degrees.
The story behind it is good too. The truck was bought from the family of its late previous owner in Illinois, and since then it has covered about 9000 miles following a rebuild. The maker helped lay down the paint with a friend lending expert hands, serviced the brakes, and fitted new tires and wheels. Repairs have stayed easy because, as the maker puts it, the truck is excellently designed. That tracks with what I know of these old workhorses.
The details that stand out: red paint with a chrome bumper, grille, wheels and a vertical stack, dual rear tires under polished half-round fenders, a side-mounted fuel tank, and a rear flatbed with wood sideboards where the fifth wheel used to be. Inside there is an original dash with analogue gauges, a big steering wheel and a dash fan. One curious touch is the bags of horse feed riding on the passenger seat, which tells you the truck earns its keep in its own way.
One open question for me: the truck is kept purely for fun rather than hauling work, so I wonder how the flatbed setup will evolve over time. It runs excellent and has taken wins at several shows, and people clearly enjoy both the looks and the noise. Credit to the American Truck Historical Society, which the maker thanked for parts sourcing and community support.
Project by American Truck Historical Society. Watch it on their YouTube channel: