Southern California ATHS Member's Rides
This is the place where our members get the opportunity to show off their rides and tell their stories for all to see. You'll find as you navigate the page that we have a very diverse group of people in our club. We love American trucks of all makes, ages, and sizes. Owning a truck is not a requirement to be part of our club, all you have to do is love old trucks.
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This 1919 Moreland belonged to the late Jim Wantland, a Southern California Chapter founding member. The truck was found in San Juan Capistrano in the 1960's. The whole Wantland family was involved in restoring the truck. It was stripped down to the frame, cleaned painted, and rebuilt. What was left of the cab was sent to California Metal Shaping to be reborn. The engine was rebuilt by Dan Woodry of Sterling Transport in Montebello. The picture to the right shows Jim Wantland at the ATHS National Convention in 1989 in Ontario, California. Grandsons Paul and Daryl are currently active members of our chapter and their brother Edward and mother Elizabeth still help out with our show. Daughter Alice "Al" Bennett provided photos and information. She describes the truck as being a very important member of the Wantland family.
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1953 GMC Model 100
Owner: Ken Lund
Yucaipa, CA
This truck is a 1953 GMC model 100 “deluxe cab” ½ ton pickup. The truck was purchased new in 1953 from Lynn Equipment in San Bernardino (the GMC dealer at that time) by Ken’s maternal grandfather Henry Minor for approximately $1,500 including the optional 4-speed transmission, side mount spare tire, and step bumper. It was used as a farm truck to tend a citrus grove in Vista, near San Diego.
From 1953 to 1963 the truck was truly used as a truck, hauling firewood, supplies, and manure. In about 1957 it was painted Cal-Trans orange and about 1961 repainted yellow with a green top. With each of the paint jobs, grandpa brought over a can of paint and a brush so little Kenny could paint the dashboard, inside door panels and hubcaps (the first time red; the 2nd time green).
When grandpa Henry died in 1963, he left a will bequeathing the truck to his only grandson, Ken. As Ken was then only 13, the truck – having racked up approximately 130,000 miles - was placed in storage in a corner of a family friend’s auto wrecking yard for 3 years. In 1966 when Ken turned 16 and obtained his driver’s license, the truck was taken out of storage to become his “first car”. With a new battery and some fresh gasoline, the truck started right up. The first thing Ken did was paint a racing stripe across the hood and cut a big hole in the dash to install a radio. The radio didn’t fit, but the hole remained until the truck was eventually restored. Ken drove the truck through high school, then it sat unused from about 1968 until 1975.
The restoration process began in 1975 when a new engine was installed, but not until 1985 did Ken have the time and money to finish the project. It was painted “Narva Green”, the original color and the grille, bumpers and trim were freshly chromed. The bed wood was redone in mahogany with stainless steel “rub” strips. Part of the body work involved filling the large hole in the dash board so an original factory radio would fit. A factory deluxe heater was installed and a window-mounted evaporative car cooler found in Utah completed the project.
The truck is essentially as it rolled off the assembly line, but modernized. It has been converted to a 12 volt electrical system, the new engine installed in 1975 is a 130 hp 270 cu in engine (in place of the stock 95 hp 228), and a 3.08:1 rear axle from a late model truck was installed (replacing the 4.11:1 gears) allowing the engine to run slower, especially at freeway speeds.
The latest upgrade was the installation of vintage speed equipment. The "Tri-Power" (3 carburetor) intake and matching exhaust headers were made by Nicson, an aftermarket manufacturer in the 1950's in Los Angeles who specialized in GMC speed equipment. GMC, with its overhead valve and full oil pressure, was the engine of choice for drag racing from the mid 1930's until other overhead valve V8 engines (Olds & Cadillac 1949, and Ford & Mercury 1954, and Chevrolet & Pontiac 1955). The carburetors are vintage Zeniths, which were preferred over Rochesters and Carters, due to external main adjustments and replaceable venturis of various sizes to facilitate fine tuning. The engine also has a mildly higher lift cam. Horsepower is estimated to be well over 200 now, not great by today's standards, but is over 50% greater than original , and more than most factory V8s until the 1960s.
Ken drives the truck only about 50 miles per month, mostly to car shows and other automotive events. In 1998 it was driven to the American Truck Historical Society convention in Phoenix, and in 2001 to the ATHS convention in Reno. As part of the 100th anniversary of GMC, in 2002 it was trailered in a convoy of approximately 20 other Southern California trucks to the ATHS convention in Kansas City, Missouri. For over 20 years it has been one of the nearly 200 trucks displayed at the annual truck show the 1st Sunday in May hosted by the Southern California Chapter of ATHS at the Orange Empire Railway Museum, Perris, CA.
Ken has been a member of ATHS Southern California Chapter since 1986. He has held various offices, including President, during the planning of the 2004 Convention held at California Speedway in Fontana. Ken continues to hold office of Event Coordinator.
Owner: Ken Lund
Yucaipa, CA
This truck is a 1953 GMC model 100 “deluxe cab” ½ ton pickup. The truck was purchased new in 1953 from Lynn Equipment in San Bernardino (the GMC dealer at that time) by Ken’s maternal grandfather Henry Minor for approximately $1,500 including the optional 4-speed transmission, side mount spare tire, and step bumper. It was used as a farm truck to tend a citrus grove in Vista, near San Diego.
From 1953 to 1963 the truck was truly used as a truck, hauling firewood, supplies, and manure. In about 1957 it was painted Cal-Trans orange and about 1961 repainted yellow with a green top. With each of the paint jobs, grandpa brought over a can of paint and a brush so little Kenny could paint the dashboard, inside door panels and hubcaps (the first time red; the 2nd time green).
When grandpa Henry died in 1963, he left a will bequeathing the truck to his only grandson, Ken. As Ken was then only 13, the truck – having racked up approximately 130,000 miles - was placed in storage in a corner of a family friend’s auto wrecking yard for 3 years. In 1966 when Ken turned 16 and obtained his driver’s license, the truck was taken out of storage to become his “first car”. With a new battery and some fresh gasoline, the truck started right up. The first thing Ken did was paint a racing stripe across the hood and cut a big hole in the dash to install a radio. The radio didn’t fit, but the hole remained until the truck was eventually restored. Ken drove the truck through high school, then it sat unused from about 1968 until 1975.
The restoration process began in 1975 when a new engine was installed, but not until 1985 did Ken have the time and money to finish the project. It was painted “Narva Green”, the original color and the grille, bumpers and trim were freshly chromed. The bed wood was redone in mahogany with stainless steel “rub” strips. Part of the body work involved filling the large hole in the dash board so an original factory radio would fit. A factory deluxe heater was installed and a window-mounted evaporative car cooler found in Utah completed the project.
The truck is essentially as it rolled off the assembly line, but modernized. It has been converted to a 12 volt electrical system, the new engine installed in 1975 is a 130 hp 270 cu in engine (in place of the stock 95 hp 228), and a 3.08:1 rear axle from a late model truck was installed (replacing the 4.11:1 gears) allowing the engine to run slower, especially at freeway speeds.
The latest upgrade was the installation of vintage speed equipment. The "Tri-Power" (3 carburetor) intake and matching exhaust headers were made by Nicson, an aftermarket manufacturer in the 1950's in Los Angeles who specialized in GMC speed equipment. GMC, with its overhead valve and full oil pressure, was the engine of choice for drag racing from the mid 1930's until other overhead valve V8 engines (Olds & Cadillac 1949, and Ford & Mercury 1954, and Chevrolet & Pontiac 1955). The carburetors are vintage Zeniths, which were preferred over Rochesters and Carters, due to external main adjustments and replaceable venturis of various sizes to facilitate fine tuning. The engine also has a mildly higher lift cam. Horsepower is estimated to be well over 200 now, not great by today's standards, but is over 50% greater than original , and more than most factory V8s until the 1960s.
Ken drives the truck only about 50 miles per month, mostly to car shows and other automotive events. In 1998 it was driven to the American Truck Historical Society convention in Phoenix, and in 2001 to the ATHS convention in Reno. As part of the 100th anniversary of GMC, in 2002 it was trailered in a convoy of approximately 20 other Southern California trucks to the ATHS convention in Kansas City, Missouri. For over 20 years it has been one of the nearly 200 trucks displayed at the annual truck show the 1st Sunday in May hosted by the Southern California Chapter of ATHS at the Orange Empire Railway Museum, Perris, CA.
Ken has been a member of ATHS Southern California Chapter since 1986. He has held various offices, including President, during the planning of the 2004 Convention held at California Speedway in Fontana. Ken continues to hold office of Event Coordinator.
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1941 Ford COE
Mark Christensen of Yucaipa, Ca Mark bought this 1941 Ford COE from another ATHS member, Art Dodge, before we were even members. Cab and chassis only for the start. He tore it down, fabricated the bed from scratch and put in power steering and brakes, A/C and original seats recovered. He did the body work and paint and put in the motor (350 Chevy) and a Turbo 475 and a reworked Dana 70 from a motorhome. Now it’s off to the races!! ~Diane Christensen |
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1949 Diamond T 201
Owner: Mark Christensen of Yucaipa, Ca Equipped with a Chevy 350 V8, New Process 3500 5 Speed Transmission, and a stock Diamond T Rear Axle with a 4.62 gear ratio. |
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This 71 Kenworth K100 has a 250 Cummins, Jake Brakes, a 9 spd, and air ride rear suspension.
Owned by Randy Haught of Riverside, CA. He is in the process of installing a flatbed. 
This 1953 Kenworth has 262 Cummins, Jakes, and a two sticks, a 4&3. Owned by Randy Haught of Riverside.
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This 1989 Ford FT900 belongs to our chapter secretary Richard Snedaker of Irwindale, CA. It is a retired Navy truck turned into a serious Recreational Vehicle. The unit on the back is a transformed pop-up trailer. It is equipped well with provisions to handle almost any situation. |
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This 1975 Mack RS685LT has a 237 Mack Engine with Jakes and a Mack 5 speed transmission. The truck was built for the state of Arizona at the Hayward CA Mack plant, it was outfitted by utility body in Oakland CA. After the state of Arizona sold the truck it was used by a safe company in San Francisco. It is owned by Richard Snedaker of Irwindale, CA
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This 1980 Peterbilt 282 has a 8V92 Detroit, 13spd, and a Airleaf Suspension. Owned by Adam Rossman of Escondido, CA. He is a SoCal Chapter member and also the President of the San Diego Chapter.
This 1980 Peterbilt 282 has a 8V92 Detroit, 13spd, and a Airleaf Suspension. Owned by Adam Rossman of Escondido, CA. He is a SoCal Chapter member and also the President of the San Diego Chapter.
This 1968 Peterbilt 288TA has a 335 Cummins, a 13spd, and airleaf suspension. Also owned by Adam Rossman of Escondido, CA.
This 1962 Peterbilt 281 has a Cummins Big Cam 400, 13 speed, and is currently getting air leaf suspension. |
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1984 Peterbilt 359 powered by a 400 Big Cam Cummins and 13 speed transmission. 4.10 Rockwell rear ends, Original Interior, Firethorne Red paint job. Formerly pulled an end dump up until 2007.
Owner: Anthony Adivari
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1966 Kenworth powered by a 335 Cummins with 4x4 twin sticks. Owner: Anthony Adivari |
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Fully custom 1962 Peterbilt Model 351 sporting a Model 358 Tilt Hood. Complete build from start to finish built solely by Joe Adivari, this 210" wheelbase rig is powered by a Caterpillar 3406B and 13 Speed Double Overdrive transmission w/ 4 speed auxiliary box. Added Front brakes, Power steering, Dual Aluminum fuel tanks, and Stainless full fenders. The old Hendrickson Beam suspension was replaced with Peterbilt Air Leaf suspension. To finish, this truck currently sits on 11r22.5 aluminum 5 hole wheels. Originally purchased by Murray Trailers in 1962 from Connell Motor Trucks in Stockton, CA this truck was equipped at the time with a Cummins NHS-6-B with a 5x4 trans, then later sent back to Peterbilt to install the 358 tilt hood as well as a 335 Cummins.
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This gas powered 1981 International S1724 started life as a city owned utility truck in Santa Clara, CA. It was purchased by long time chapter member Bruce Caballero around 1990 to be used in his mobile truck repair business. The truck was replaced by a diesel in a few years and later sold to a lumber mill in Fontana, CA with a flatbed installed on it. Bruce acquired the truck again after minor fire damage from a burning roof it happened to be sitting under. He painted it his favorite green to match his International Travelette and now uses it primarily for truck shows. The truck has only about 80K original miles on it. In 2019, father, son, and grandson took this truck to the ATHS National convention in Reno, NV for Bruce to receive his well deserved "ATHS Golden Achievement Award" celebrating more than 50 years served in the trucking industry.
This 1975 International Travelette is one on 400 Travelettes built in the very last year of International's pickup line production. Bruce Caballero bought this pickup new in 1975. Powered by a 392 c.i. IH V8 and a Torquefight Transmission, it will still give the modern diesel pickups a run for their money on the the hills. He wanted a pickup with captain's chairs. Ford, GM, and Dodge all refused to even talk about it. International accommodated him, so he ordered one with his preferred options in Riverside, CA. Before the one he ordered came in, he received a call that the dealer had one in stock that had everything he wanted except cruise control. This is the pickup you see to the left. It was converted to a dually around 1980. It was always maintained mechanically and it recently got new upholstery paint.
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Here is the newest picture taken in December 2020:
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Here is a 1985 Peterbilt 359 Exhd with a Big Cam 400 Cummins, and a
13 speed. Owned by Nathan Cantrell of Chino, CA.
1976 Kenworth W900A, 400 Cummins, 13sp trans. This work in progress is owned by Chris Caballero of Montclair, CA. |
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