Showusyourtruck.com's September Winners
Mercer Transportation’s winner, “Colorado Cool”, belongs to owner operator team, Martin Clagett and Chris Lange. The duo grew up in the same neighborhood, played sports together and went to the same high school. Having grown up around trucks all their lives, it was no coincidence that both friends decided to embark on similar career paths. After taking separate driving jobs for a few years, Clagett and Lange reunited in 1992, bought a truck and became an owner operator team. As business partners, they’ve got trucking down to a science, with a strong support system comprised of family, their accountant and attorney. The team admits that tight quarters and long hours with your best buddy can be taxing, but at the end of the day, they are bonded like brothers. They share one important common interest: their truck.
“Colorado Cool” is a joint project and a work in progress. The ’99 Pete 379 features a white/ginger metallic paint scheme, CAT 550 horsepower engine, 18-speed transmission and a 305” wheel base. They’ve lowered the air filters, added a custom grill and WTI double hoop Outlaw fenders. In the future, they plan to repaint the truck and update the interior.
Hank Beaulieu’s 1982 Kenworth has the words; “We’re both retired,” proudly emblazoned on the back of his cab. At the age of 72, Beaulieu drove a truck for 20 years before retiring to collect and refurbish antique big rigs. He and his Kenworth have won Best in Show at the Pride & Glory Truck Show in North Haven, Connecticut and he plans to return to the National Antique Truck Show in Huntsville, AL next year.
After a healthy dose of TLC and a little custom work, Beaulieu restored the W900A to its original form, with a few modern features. The truck is powered by a 400A Cat engine, 13-speed transmission with double overdrive and 4:11 rears. In addition, it has a 292” wheelbase, 7” pipes, heated remote mirrors, 80 exterior marker lights, wood grain interior, and hardwood floor and chrome dash. Beaulieu’s son, Jim Sousa, gave the KW a remarkable paint job, with the classic Seminole design in black cherry and maroon. Kingsley Signs of Acushnet, MA did the truck’s lettering. Beaulieu says, “It would be hard to part with this truck. It rides nice, handles well … when you have the best, why settle for something else?”
Showusyourtruck.com is online truck show featuring America’s coolest working-class trucks. The contest is open to all truck owners and judging is based on classic “old school” features, including custom-built, classic-inspired modifications and factory originals. Monthly winners will each receive a $200 gift card from the contest’s sponsor, Chrome Shop Mafia/ 4 State Trucks.
Do you think your rig has what it takes to be a winner of Mercer’s Online Truck Show? To submit your truck in the contest gallery, visit Showsyourtruck.com or call 800-433-2929.