Kelts’ Collection

A message arrives. Come view some trucks it says…we have some old big rigs. That has our attention. Now to make it happen. It’s not anywhere close to us, but as we always manage to do, we’ll find away. It might just take some time. And so the months pass and then out of the blue, it happens, we get an assignment in that area and we arrange to drop by. We’ll spend the evening, we’ll grill some steaks, we’ll chat as though old friends, and the cream in the coffee, we’ll take in the Kelts’ Collection.

Here we get to see some fine old Peterbilts, mostly, along with a smattering of other makes, some smaller stuff too and a couple newer rigs. The highlight of the it all is a 1952 model 350, an old warrior, a bit rough around the edges, but in running condition. And later, we’ll ride along as it’s taken out on the road. We’re giddy the whole time.

All the stuff here is mighty photogenic, made all the better by the fantastic sunset and later auroras mother nature served up for us. I’d say we’re blessed.

Let’s see what they have…

Most of the rigs here are cab-over Peterbilts from the 1980s, model 3XX series, sourced from the US. All run, nicely, and for the most part are in original condition. When we think of trucking in the old days, rigs just like this come to mind…cue the BJ and Bear theme. These are made for the long hall, with integral sleepers. A few parts trucks out back help keep them running.

It’s rare to see (class-8) cab-over-engine (COE) trucks these days. In fact you’d be hard pressed to find a maker, any maker, offering them, but back when these were new, for some applications they offered certain advantages. Being shorter than a conventional, for example, allowed for greater manoeuvrability. And there was legal issues in some places – a restriction on overall length – a more compact COE allowed one to keep within set limits.

Taking in the Kelts’ Collection.

Keeping the many Petes company is a “White Freightliner” from the 1970s. This one once ran for Economy Carriers. The firm was once big into bulk deliveries and operated all over Western Canada, but has since faded from the scene (via a takeover). Back when this truck was built Freightliner was distributed by maker White. The latter firm has ceased to exist since the 1980s, where as Freightliner is now one of the biggest names in the business. For the longest time they only made lightweight (relatively speaking) cab-overs, but today all they make is conventionals. Sitting atop the engine has fallen out of favour…

Keeping them all company is a small one ton farm truck. This is a 1947 GMC farm truck coming in from the Drumheller area. It’s in fine shape, nice looking and quite driveable.

Scattered about the property are some old cars and trucks in retirement. Included is a 1956-1957 era International Travelall (pretty uncommon), a Ford Thunderbird one year younger than your author (making it a ’66), along with another GMC pickup from the 1947-1955 era. A 1940s/1950s era Ford F-47 carries the markings of Na-Churs Fertilizer, a firm, interestingly, still in business today. We looked them up.

Also seen in a Robin’s Egg Blue Dodge LCF (Low Cab Forward) grain truck, circa early ’70s. The yellow license plate was phased out in the mid-1980s.

Kept under wraps, inside, is a real beauty, emblazoned with three digits that speak of nothing but speed and power. That’s one fine old Dodge.

Rounding out the collection is some modern stuff, Peterbilts of course. Working trucks. Those are the ones that pay the bills. And support the hobby.

Peterbilts are particularly popular with non-fleet owners and tend to be more highly appointed and customized than other mass produced makes. In rural Alberta, as cattle, grain or equipment haulers, they seem to be the truck of choice (along with “Paccar” sister make, Kenworth). Older Peterbilts are highly collectible. As you’ve seen here.

A little customizing…

There’s a few other trucks in the collection we missed this pass. It always happens…even when we plan. Maybe next time?

And now on to the star of the show (not that the rest weren’t amazing) that Peterbilt 350. This model was produced from 1949 to 1957 and was sometimes called an “Iron Nose” after that impressive radiator cowl. This one’s a ’52 and it runs.

It’s not completely original. The drive train and suspension are newer, and the sleeper came in from another truck, but visually it’s pretty close to as built. A previous owner rescued it from a farmer’s field, then it changed hands and was rebuilt to its present configuration and put back on the road as a heavy hauler. It worked commercially into the 1990s. It was picked it up a couple years back, out of Idaho, and there’s plans to keep it pretty much as is, save for some suspension changes (rubber blocks are hard on the kidneys) and of course a cosmetic make over.

Imagine it, back on the road, no show and shine, but earning a living.

In the meantime, it runs and looks pretty darn good considering its age. It’s a product of the era, with few creature comforts, tough as nails, hard steering, rough riding (the planned air suspension upgrade will help), noisy and drafty. But these are not disparaging comments, oh no. In fact, riding around those farm backroads, arrow straight, dusty, endless fields, and those big skies, was a special kind of heaven. This is how trucking used to be – no nonsense and all business. Simpler times.

The truck has a novel transmission set up, a ten speed main with a four speed auxiliary. It offers up so many gear combinations that one could easily get lost. Let’s see, there’s forty possible (likely with some overlap)…I’m in six, double under…no wait, that’s five over…no…wait…I’m lost. Then your head explodes.

Shifting a “twin stick” takes a level of skill not seen these days, and this one has a particularly broad range. Riding along, I watch in awe. You need to be a mathematician to keep it all straight…and if you miss a gear you’ll have to stop, pull over and start from the beginning. A set up like this might be more challenging than a Rubik’s Cube, but it does allow one to keep the revs in the peak power range with great precision. With light loads, or no load, not all gears are needed.

The highlight of it all, this 1952 Peterbilt 350.

The road trip ends. Sadly. Could do it for hours, even if my back says otherwise. Time for a little socializing, then a little shooting under the stars, before we continue on our way. Then something unexpected happens. The auroras come out to play, a little at first, but building with time. They weren’t even foretasted. So we shoot with delight, the resultant photos perhaps not perfection in anyone’s book, but still it was magic. Look past technical aspects and take it the sheer delight of it all.

Then it ends. The show’s over and we have to hit the road. Driving away, Connie turns to me with that look, one of being witness to something special here. Not just cool subjects, but a memorable experience. Old trucks, good company, mother nature in all her splendour – wow, just wow.

The following morning, a quick side-view window shot, an old Studebaker and Fargo Truck, a drive by shooting. Next time we stop.

The miniature horse seen. As soon as it saw a camera it would drop its head. Each and every time!

And the following day…
CNR #1158 at the Western Development Museum (North Battleford SK).

More big old stuff still on the road…
The Big Red Bus – ex-Calgary Transit.
Autocar Coal Hauler – a monster mining truck also with a “twin stick”.
Scot King C1FD – ex-Revelstoke BC Fire Department.

If you wish more information on what you’ve seen here, by all means contact us!

Date: September, 2017.
Location: Special Areas #4, AB.
Article references and thanks: Coleman & Brian Kelts.
The Kelts’ Collection was visited with permission

Over sixty five years old and ready to hit the road.

Mother nature shows us some love.

In reflection…

Something a bit more modern.

The little details…

Old trucks – amazing skies – we are blessed.

This 1970s White Freightliner.

Soon to head out…

An old warrior.

A Dodge “LCF” – yellow plate is an oldie.

Cruising the backroads.

Fields, arrow straight gravel roads & big skies – this is rural Alberta.

This beast of a truck is all business.

More of the collection.

Sitting back and enjoying the ride.

Twin sticks, forty gears – it’d be easy to get lost.

A bit camera shy.

An impressive line up.

Blue and white Pete is from the 1980s.

Out back, in retirement.

Everything runs.

Imagine all the places these trucks have been.

An old cab – Herron Trucking, Lacrosse WA.

An uncommon 1956-57 era International Travelall.

A Ford Thunderbird, one year younger than your author.

A 1947-1955 era GMC Pickup.

A Na-Churs Liquid Fertilizer Ford F47.

They’re all nice but the Peterbilt 350 steals the show.

Three numbers that speak of speed and power.

A hint of Aurora.

And here they really come out to play.

We could do this all night…

The next day, a random find, this Studebaker & Fargo Truck.