California Hauler is BACK!!!!

[crackerboxkid]

I just read that AMT's legendary California Hauler kit... the one that started it all... is being re-issued! Bring on those "little window" Pete projects!

[mart]

Yes, it's back! But what is so special "California" on it?

Martin

[Deleted]

The original issue of the kit in 1969 was called the "California Hauler" by AMT. Which makes sense when you think about it, because Peterbilts were generally found on the West Coast at that time. There were not many here on the East Coast.

[mart]

Hi Jim!

I knew, that Kenworth was mainly located in the west in it's early days. But I didn't knew that from Peterbilt. I'm not very confirm with the history of US trucks My interest is the time of the 70th, 80th and early 90th.

Martin

[crackerboxkid]

jimb is absolutely right... A Pete conventional was a pretty rare sight in my neck of the woods (Michigan) back when that kit was first introduced in 1969. Back then the cabover was still king... especially east of the Mississippi where length laws were more restrictive. Pete, KW, and Freightliner... or White Freightliner in the 60's... were considered the "western" truck makers. (You'd also have to throw Marmon into that mix, as they were built in Texas) The only Pete conventionals we'd see around here were those pulling for Jack Gray Transport out of Gary Indiana. They were quite the sight. Nowadays chromed out Petes are a dime-a-dozen, but back when I was a kid, it was a HUGE deal to see one rolling down the highway... In my opinion the Peterbilt conventional lost a lot of it's classic good looks when in 1973, the DOT basically forced the company to re-design their cabs with larger windshield panels. Gone was the legendary pre-72 "little window" cab, after which AMT's "California Hauler" kit is patterned. At least now we once again have a classic kit of a classic truck ... and without having to pay collector prices to get one!