san diego chapter newsletter may/june 2014 the log...
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The Log BookSan Diego Chapter Newsletter May/June 2014
Southern California Chapter ATHS Showat Orange Empire Railway Museum
Perris, California
On May 4, 2014, The Southern California Chapter held its 27th Antique truck show, at the Orange Empire Railroad Museum in Perris, California. Our San Diego Chapter was well represented, with almost a dozen trucks on display. Highlighting this accomplishment were two of our members trucks, which won trophies.
Henry De Witt’s 1956 International COE won, “Best Flatbed” and Artie Thomsen’s 1963 Peterbilt won, “Best Modified”. We are proud of both these gentlemen for representing SD Chapter at the show.
These awesome restorations were only just recently completed and winning a trophy so soon, is a great way to to finish such an undertaking.
Hopefully, some other Chapter members will be motivated to either start a restoration of their own or get back working harder on one they have already started. When stopping on a restoration, it is sometimes very hard to get started again! The secret is to never stop! You must keep working, even if you only do some small task! Just look at these Trucks!
Photos by: Mike Colton
More Photos on pages 4-7
Chapter Officers:President:
John Alling [email protected]
# Vice President:Henry De Witt 619-449-0916
# Treasurer:Mike Colton#858-759-0283
[email protected]## Secretary:Eric Molho [email protected]
Events Chairman:Bob Callen [email protected]
Chapter Photographer:Jim Stouffer 619-857-3333
Board Members:Bill Fields 619-445-8855Brian Krotje 760-522-1954
Board Member Alternates:Dave Doll 619-446-7594Cam Lavin 951-237-0587
Newsletter Editor:Roland Smith 858-483-2283
President’s Message
ATHS Goals:The mission of the American Truck Historical Society is to collect artifacts, information, photographs, and other relevant materials pertaining to the origin, development, and progress of the motor truck transportation industry; to verify and establish the authenticity and accuracy of the collected information and materials; to place or arrange for placement of all objects, gifts, artifacts, and other items on display for educational purposes that relate historically to the development of the motor truck industry; to serve as a repository for donations, gifts, and bequests.
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Hi everyone,We are now well into the show season. The first Sunday in May was the Southern CA Chapter show at the Railway Museum in Perris. This is a well run show and worth attending. We were well represented with about 10 trucks up from San Diego. Henry DeWitt had his International out for the first time after an extensive restoration and was rewarded with a trophy for “Best Flatbed”. Artie Thomsen was also rewarded with a trophy for his 1963 Peterbilt ”Best Modified”. Congratulations to both guys. It was a good weekend for weather and those attending had a great time.
We have yet to finalize some of the dates for our summer events. However, plan on attending the tractor show at Vista on June 21 and also a barbecue at Henry Dewitt’s home on June 28. Trucks will be welcome at Henry’s but no trailers. We will have more to say about dates soon. If you have any ideas for a truck club destination give me or Bob Callen, our Events Coordinator, a call.
Planning for our first truck show in 20 years is ramping up and is now taking center stage. It will be on October 19, at the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum during the fall tractor show. Consider bringing a truck to show and also volunteering, as we’re going to put on a good show and will need help from the members of our club.
John Alling, President SD Chapter ATHS
Message from the Editor: Roland O. Smith The “Log Book” Newsletter is published bi-monthly by the San Diego Chapter of the American Truck Historical Society. Members are encouraged to submit trucking articles and materials to the editors. Photos of your restored trucks and in progress restorations are also needed for future newsletter feature articles.
Mail to: Roland Smith or E-Mail to: <[email protected]> 1227 Beryl St. San Diego, CA 92109
San Diego Chapter Event Calendar 2014
Saturday, June 21st, 2014 (10:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.)“Annual Antique Tractor Show”
At Vista Gas & Steam Engine Museum, Vista, CaliforniaBring your “Old Iron”
Saturday, June 28th, 2014 Bar-BQ at Henry De Witt’s Home, More info later!
Summer Dinner at Giovanni’s in Clairemont Mesa, July Date tbd(Watch for more information in future Newsletters!)
General Meeting and Bar-BQ at Mike Colton’s, August Date tbd(Watch for more information in future Newsletters!)
Saturday, October 19th, 2014ATHS, San Diego Chapter Truck Show
Vista Gas & Steam Engine Museum, Vista, California(Watch for more information in future Newsletters!)
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Anyone interested in any of these events, please free to call Bob Callen @ (619) 244-9730) or E-Mail <[email protected]> and John Alling @760-749-5201 or E-Mail <[email protected]> for all the details.
Chapter Trophy Winners!
Henry De Wittʼs ʻ56 International
Artie Thomsenʼs 1963 Peterbilt
“Best Flatbed”
“Best Modified”
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Going to the Show!Dave Doll←Pete
Kevin Johnson←Pete
Artie Thomsen 63 Pete→
Bob CallenPete →
Henry DeWitt←56 IHC
Eric MolhoPete→
Henry DeWitt56 IHC→
Jeff Bauler←KW
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At The Show!
Eric MolhoPete→
Bob Callen←Pete
Artie Thomsen← 63 Pete
Dave Doll←Pete
Jeff Bauler←KW
Jeff BaulerIHC→
Huey WicksPete→
Mike McDonaldCrown→
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The “Best Seat” at the Show!
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Members of “Classic White Truck Group” visit San Diego! Photos By Mike Colton
East Meets West!
A small group of “Classic White Truck Group” members came to San Diego for a visit, to check out the old trucks and get out of the cold weather back east!
They made visits to some of our members collections and the Vista Gas & Steam engine Museum, plus Callen’s Truck Restoration Shop in Vista.
They also drove to Campo and stopped by the Motor Transport Museum. Last stop was Bill Jellyman’s collection at Boulevard, CA.
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“Classic White Truck Group” in San Diego! Photos By Mike Colton
Above: Vista Gas & Steam Engine Museum. (Wagon and Truck display)
Above & Below: Callen Truck Restoration at Vista, CA.
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“Classic White Truck Group” in San Diego! Photos By Mike Colton
Motor Transport Museum & Bill Jellymanʼs Yard
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“Classic White Truck Group” in San Diego! Photos By Mike Colton
Visit to Mike Bartonʼs place!
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Our Chapterʼs First Truck Show Is Coming!
RolandGene
Brian
Eric
John
Henry De Witt, VP
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Another “Old Truck in the Barn” Story!By Roland O. Smith
This “Old Truck in the Barn“ story happened to me, when a good friend told me he knew where there was a 1960 Bubble Nose Pete COE. Now, Iʼm not a Peterbilt know it all, but I was sure there were no 1960 Pete Bubble Nose COEʼs manufactured in 1960. He also said this truck was painted in the old Pirkle Refrigerated Freight Company colors.
A few years later I was able to go see this truck with Gene Olson, a past President of ATHS. Gene also had been a part owner of Pirkle from 1968 to 1975. These old photos were taken, at the time of the visit Gene and I made to the site of the barn, where the old Pirkle Pete has spent so many years!
The story is, that Otto Pirkle had a fleet of ten of these Model 950ʻs and wanted Peterbilt to build one more Bubble Nose 350 Model from parts left over from production when they were building them in ʼ56. This Pete spent its best years with the Pirkle fleet. How many other owners there were?
The last owner bought the Pete as an insurance for his job. It was a haul that did not allow for any interruption. The loads had to be there on time or he would lose the haul! The truck he used was a black Kenworth and is shown here parked next to the Pete, and I understand was never needed.
When asked if the Pete was for sale, the answer was yes. However, the price was $35,000 dollars and neither Gene or I had that much with us. That old Pete still is parked in the barn, where we saw it many years ago. Iʼm sure the price is still high, but have not asked lately. Gene went by and said the engine was apart and spread around the truck. It hasnʼt moved in more than twenty-five years!
What will become of this old Pete? Will the weather get the best of it, or an auction sale take place? How many other classic old trucks, are still in barns around the country? I canʼt believe this Pete is still there, just rusting away. Too bad someone couldnʼt have restored it to its original Pirkle colors & specʼs.13
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A Very Special 1960 Bubble Nose Pete 950!