100 Years Of Semi Trucks

From the first turn-of-the-century haulers to the 18-wheelers truckin' down the nation's highways today, ten full decades of big rigs fill the pages of this hardbound chronological retrospective. Lengthy captions accompany each of more than 500 black-and-white photographs and a special section of 75 color photos featuring major manufacturers like Mack, Peterbilt, Ford, Freightliner, International, and GMC, along with trailer manufacturers and minor truckbuilders that have gone by the wayside. The main focus is on semis built from the 1940s through the 1970s.

9 x 12 160 pgs 225 color & b&w photos & artwork index

After WWII Americans were anxious to re-stoke the economy after a long “make-do with what you have” dry spell. By the 1950s new highways were being built, new trucking companies were being formed and old ones revived. Americans were buying newly-styled cars and the latest technologies once again. Semi-trucks helped pave the way for this huge growth spurt in America with dependable trucks built by Mack, GMC, Chevrolet, Ford, Dodge, International, White Freightliner, Peterbilt, Kenworth, Diamond T, Reo, Autocar, Brockway, Sterling and others, many using the increasingly popular diesel engines made by Buda, Hercules, Waukesha, and Cummins, which helped their heavy loads haul quicker. Ron Adams portrays this booming era with over 300 superb photos of trucks hauling cement, fuel, and a variety of goods to enthusiastic Americans.

A truck driver's tractor-trailer is more than just a vehicle or a tool for making a living. It is a calling card, a personal statement, a way of life. Truckers take as much joy and pride in modifying their rigs as hot-rodders and car customizers. Bette Garber present some two dozen of the most interesting and creative custom trucks to be seen on the roads today. Each feature tells the story of the men and women who modify and drive these trucks, including the tricks of the trade. All are featured in full-color photography that highlights the flash, incredible detail, and personal touches of custom semi trucks. The book also provides an overview of the truck-show scene and what makes for an award-winning rig.

This book follows on the heels of Semi-Trucks of the 1950s. As the '50s saw new and improved models after the starved war years, the Sixties was the decade for expansion, not only for truck manufacturers with a huge selection of models, but also for the trucking companies themselves with more places to haul. Construction of the Interstate highway system helped pave the way for faster and smoother service, helping reshape the American landscape faster than ever seen before. Gear up for this outstanding selection of 1960s semi-truck photos by Ron Adams. Captions include detailed information about the trucks, trailers, and hauling configurations of a wide range of makers including Mack, Brockway, Autocar, Diamond T, Diamond Reo, Ford, White-Freightliner, GMC, International, Kenworth, and Peterbilt.

By 1972 there were nearly one million tractor-trailer rigs hauling every conceivable kind of cargo on America’s roads. Can you imagine the variety of trucks you would have seen at truck stops across the country? But the 1970s proved to be a decade of incredible change for the over-the-road trucking industry, and by 1980 fuel efficiency became a prime concern for companies. At this time, airfoils and other aerodynamic aids began to appear and trucks in general started to take on a similar look. In this picture-packed book, Ron Adams has pulled together a collection of over 300 images that traces the evolution of truck design and use back to the earliest horse-drawn units right up through the early 1980s. Short introductory chapters cover the earlier years of trucking and then Ron takes you on a coast-to-coast tour of the 1970s, showcasing the huge variety of big rigs working the roads and providing detailed information about the trucks, trailers, cargoes, and trucking companies. In addition to photos and detailed captions, there are period articles covering early aerodynamic testing and also on advancements in truck design in the 1970s. Semi Trucks of the 1970s features trucks from all makers, including International, Freightliner, Kenworth, Mack, White-Freightliner, Autocar, Brockway, Peterbilt, Ford, and Diamond Reo. This is a complete look at this evolutionary period in trucking history.

This book follows on the heels of Big Rigs of the 1950s (0-7603-0978-7), which has proven popular with vintage truck fans. This book tackles a new era, the 1960s, providing views of the trucks that traveled America's highways during that decade. Photography again comes from the enormous archive of Ron Adams, author of Big Rigs of the 1950s, Mack Trucks, and 100 Years of Semi Trucks. Each prominent manufacturer receives its own chapter, and less prominent brands are also covered. Adams provides detailed information about the truck models pictured, as well as the trailers, trucking companies, and hauling configurations seen in the photographs.