Vintage Big Rig! 1972 Peterbilt 352
Peterbilt Motors was created in 1939 through a couple of acquisitions. They’ve been in the business of manufacturing medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles ever since. The 352 was a popular Cab-Over-Engine (COE) type of vehicle, built largely in the 1960s and 1970s. This 1978 edition is said to be in running condition and looks good overall for its age. It may be located with a dealer in Springfield, Missouri, and is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $15,500. Thanks for the over-the-road tip, jonny!
The model 352 is said to be Peterbilt’s first tilt-cab COE, providing easier access to the engine. It should have a 350 hp Cummings or Detroit diesel engine and may be paired with a 13-speed manual transmission. Mid-way through its 22-year production cycle, the 352 acquired the nickname “Pacemaker” perhaps because it set a lot of standards for OTR truckers.
We assume the last time this truck was used to move freight was when Lee R. “Bud” Aycock was behind the wheel. At least that’s what the faded lettering on the doors says and Bud was likely an owner-operator out of Boise City, Oklahoma. But that was probably a long time ago, and yet the seller says this truck is still a “runner”, but we don’t know if it would be up to the challenge of pulling a loaded trailer.
The seller describes this 352 as a “complete builder” but what would you do with it if you acquired it? Surely, you wouldn’t want to put it back on the road to move stuff from Point A to Point B. Maybe restore it to a period-correct hauler and hire it out for production companies making 1980s movies? What would be your goal?
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Comments
Sigh,,,thanks Russ, should I even bother? I feared this day would come,,,before I blow out some windy story on this, let me know, eh? Not to toot my own air horn, but I doubt many would know more about these than me. If so, let’s meet for coffee!
Aw, what the heck, it’s 4am, got a thermos full of coffee, “we got a long ways to go and a short time to get there”,,,
BRIEFLY( ya right) it’s a 350 “fuel converter”(converts diesel fuel into noise) Deeetroit( yep, the “slam your finger in the door to get in the right frame of mind, kind), and it’s not going anywhere with that driveshaft disconnected( for towing purposes) The 350 V8 was probably the best rendition of the motor. I knew guys pushing over 400 hp with some. As said, and expected, the 352 ( and the K100) were top of the line, with Diamond Reo right up there. They were for a more upscale operation, in this case Lee Aycock Trucking, Anywhere, USA, in this case, Oklahoma and this truck probably had many drivers. Apparently, “Bud” was old school, as most of these that were owner operators, had air ride. I can just hear him now, “springs always got me home, consarnit, none of that fancy air ride crap, now get going”( I’ve worked for guys like that, btw). Bud was a bit old fashioned. The spring ride is a huge deterrent. I wear a back brace everyday thanks, in part, to these trucks. Rust on the frame indicates a steel frame, some had an aluminum one. Lighter, but not as strong. It has A/C, but no P/S. Not many of these had it. It does have “center-point” steering, that helped some, but it was called “armstrong steering” for a reason. The “sin bin” (sleeper) looks, um, okay, I’ve been in worse, and there is a huge call for vintage trucks today. With the wizardry of modern trucks, and their shortcomings, many are going back to older trucks. One note, 2 cycle Detroits in a commercial application are outlawed in California, and other states will follow. Neat find, Russ, what did you expect? 35 years in these tin cans, you don’t forget easily. Come on, you old gear jammers, if you’re reading this, you ain’t dead yet, and let’s hear those “cabinover”[sic] stories!!
I knew Howard would have good information on this. This Pete is in great shape for its age and must have got some TLC along the way. It’s got a full set of newish looking tires and the interior is in surprisingly good condition. Most I see are just destroyed. I’m really loving that period correct green naugahyde. If it were mine, I’d use it locally to haul my cat D5 on a lowboy.
https://www.hensonnovak.com/obituary/Lee-Aycock
Hi Paolo, thanks, you can tell,, this truck never ran north, and spent most it’s life down south. Northern trucks never looked like this. The tires are tube type, and should be replaced. This would be perfect for an equipment hauler, but do yourself a favor, add P/S!!
I read, “Bud” died in 2020, at the age of 90, and still was active in trucking. He is shown here, if this works, standing in front of this truck. https://s3.amazonaws.com/CFSV2/obituaries/photos/4334/711299/5ec0b62fe3808.jpeg
Howard finally gets it here, these were working trucks. Not taking anything away from today’s drivers, rigs were a lot more basic. Unless you had a load those springs were mean, AC that’s a big plus, 2 stroke Detroit sound wonderful but dirty critters today. Not sure if seller will get anyone to pay that kind of money for that old workhorse. As truck length rules changed, cabovers gave way to forward engines and small apartments on the frame.
Thanks for the shout, actually, the “working” trucks you speak of were the cheaper trucks, IH, Freightshaker, Ford, ( the ones I drove) and by the time I drove these trucks, they were relegated to local or yard use. I’m confident this truck won’t be around long. I am a regular on a truckers site, just to stay up on the news. The nightmares I hear of with modern truck repair, are as nuts as the classic car hobby today, with many striking similarities. Todays trucks are costly, like $100 grand PLUS, and dealer woes charging $150/hr, or more for service, and you know they are dragging their feet, parts shortage? Mmm-hmm. A far cry from these, where a vice grips and a Swiss Army knife was all that was needed.
Cabovers had a following, some loved them, most hated them, to the point of quitting the job if they had to drive a cabover. I hated them, nasty blind spot on the right, and one could always tell a driver not used to one, the right side wheels were on the shoulder. I drove what the boss told me to drive, and my favorite cabover( as if) was the IH 4070B Transtar. My absolute LEAST favorite? A Freightshaker, set back axle, single sleeper cabover. The fact I never ran over anything or anybody with that truck is a testament to my driving ability.
I own a couple trucks for my business a 95 ford l9000, and a 16 freightliner.
The old Ford has a ton of personality but they are definitely WORK trucks. Loud, everything rattles, horrible ride even with air ride.
Even though it a 95, the design dates from the 70s, lol. The other day I asked a driver to make a run, and his first question was if he had to take the old Ford! LOL. I don’t mind it for short runs, but anything over 300 miles in a day feels like a cross country run in my ‘liner. Good stories.
In the old days trucks rarely had A/C. All we had were little round fans hanging down blowing on us. Cabs were like sauna’s ! So those little fans just blew hot air on you. Awww, the good ole days ! 😂😂😂
According to the logo on the frond and the high door handles it is 1971 or older. According to the valve cover it is a 92 series Detroit. 430 horses or more.
Hi Ronald, good catch. In ’72, they changed the doors, and I read the “92” series came out in ’74, and they did make a 350 hp. 92 series. I doubt it’s any bigger, as cooling a bigger motor was the reason they went with the 362, with a bigger radiator. Having had Peterbilts, I found, they carried over leftover models with new ID plates.
@ Howard A (since. 2023)-
As always, great information- straight from the source, not just a website. Count me as a fan.
I seem to remember screwing up shutting down a Detroit many years ago, and a coworker mentioned to me that it was now running backwards. Is that possible? Thanks for all the great memories.
Two stroke, so yes, that’s possible.
A four stroke will also run backward. Did it myself trying to get a DD15 Detroit started with ether. I ruined the injectors. No ether for the new trucks, FYI.
Yes, it is possible to get a diesel to run backwards but usually that happened after engine was hot and overworked. Residual fuel would continue to fire when cylinders were very hot. I drove an International CO-4070 with 903 Cummins diesel and 13 speed. I liked the truck except the dumb ass before me keep dumping cologne down the defrost vents inside the truck. The crap would get on the windshield and fog up with a little bit of humidity. I mostly hauled grain with it. A few loads of cattle (yes!, That paid double for gravy runs!) We did haul barley to the big beer breweries one winter (1980?). Minneapolis to Fort Worth TX, Cincinnati, St.Louis, etc. Toured the breweries.
“Cab-over Pete with a reefer on
And a Jimmy haulin’ hogs”
-CW McCall
(And it’s “Cummins,” not “Cummings”)
Hi Poppy, it’s getting harder and harder to bring up that video. I had to sing the 1st 2 verses for my chauffeur license,,not really, but wasn’t much harder than that. And it’s perfectly okay to call a “Columbus vibrator”(thanks to Geomechs for that) a Cummings. Fact is, if one calls them that, it says you were influenced by old timers. Cummins was without a doubt the most popular truck motor, and I’d say 80% of the trucks I drove, had Cummins motors. Detroits were popular too, mainly because you could rebuild them in an evening, but most made poor road motors.
I pulled modular houses from Loveland, Colo to southern Colo for. Couple years with a Feightshaker COE with a Quad Box. Lots of slack n those shift rods made for interesting pulls over Monarch pass. Later on, hauled sod with a COE western Mack 13 spd. Nice rig to pull Wolf Creek.
One person asked where they could get sale info. ATHS magazine Wheels Of Time has classified section in back, usually has a few of these good old girls in it.
Seeing a market open up for these old gals so drivers can avoid the EDL’s (data loggers) and drive longer without automatically getting fined. The rode rough but damn I love COE’s
Hey Rich, actually, it’s “ELDs”( electronic logging device), :),, and trucks made before 2000 are exempt, but the real reason, is a gradual trend back to simplicity. While I doubt cabovers will ever make a return, for many applications, an old cabover works great. Can’t beat them for getting around tight spots, and make great yard spotters.
Today, the “outlaw trucker”( me) doesn’t fit in our society anymore, and with “Dewey, Cheatum, and Howe” ready to pounce on truckers, it’s best to just follow the rules.
I had an old International back in 83 or 84, not quite sure. 13 speed road ranger it was a beast. Never let me down.
Hi Neil, probably the 9670,( 1981) that replaced the 4070, and was a heck of a truck. The 9670 hauled probably 75% of all our countries freight.
13 gears ⚙️ is all you need most would say. Cool rig, great comments.
Bless you 🙏 long haul drivers.
Still like our old B model Mack with 5 & 3. Shifting those non-synchroed twin sticks without a scratch makes one’s whole day!
As the owner of several Cabovers (Ford) and a few long nose critters (Autocar, IHC, and Chevrolet) I have to say I love the latter best for comfort and ride. I spent too many days riding in those crazy Chevy, Freightliner, and International COEs without air ride to ever wish to drive another more than a half mile. There is something enigmatic tho about the old 2 stroke Jimmies that will always yank a bit at the heart. Walking out to see a huge puddle of oil under it in the morning was always an eye opener, but it ’twas what it ’twas. A guy soon got over it when the engine ticked over to that crazy rattling wail; all was forgiven.
Hope someone takes good care of this old gurl; she deserves it…..
There is another indication this truck never went north, anyone? No air dryer, that I see. Air dryers became MANDATORY when temps dipped below freezing. Moisture is a byproduct of compressing and cooling of the air, and accumulates at the lowest point, usually( hopefully) the air tanks. It must be drained everyday. Air dryers solved that problem, a Godsend, really, and there was no reason for a southern truck to have one. I could easily see this truck running back and forth I-10 with a load of “monkey sticks” from NOLA port to JAX, Fl.
I’d like to thank all who responded, or will, and to Russ and BFs, as you can see, it was my life, I lived it( PeeWee Herman), good friends, give you their steer tire, they would, broke every rule that would bend, not in a malicious way, just what it took to “get ‘er done”,,sorry, and of course, no thread like this would be complete without mention of the CB radio. The cell phone eliminated the need for the CB, but at one time, THIS here time, it was our lifeblood. A working CB was more important than good tires, and you always carried extra oil with you.
At 68, and a truckers 68, I too will soon join my brethren in that big truckstop in the sky, where it’s dry roads, sunny skies, light loads that pay a fortune, and all the coops are closed. You know, I, and most of us old crabby truckers, including ol’ Bud, wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. Thanks again to all, and, yes, please respect our truckers. They have an incredibly stressful job, and simple courtesy, let them in or a friendly wave, goes a long way. We, as a country, would be screwed without them. Amen.
@Howard: Didn’t Jan-Michael Vincent drive a truck like this in a movie that railed against corporate mistreatment of truckers? His was done up in ablue and white paint scheme, and named the “Bule Mule”. He drove it through the corporate office signage, and induced a counrty wide trucker strike. Funny, I can remember all of that, but I can’t think of the name of the movie, LOL!! :-)
I think the movie was called ……” White Line Fever “. Moparman you have a very good memory. I believe it had one of my favorites ..Slim Pickens in it.
What’s a good source for old commercial trucks like this for sale? There’s just a few on sites like eBay or Hemings.
Hi Andy, FB Marketplace used to have all kinds, but I can’t find any today. Hemmings is for the very rich. Best bet is ATHS( American Truck Historical Society), I was a member for many years. They have a magazine called Wheels of Time, and a classified section in the back. Better take a belt of scotch before looking at the prices. If you are looking for a vintage semi, stay down south. Northern trucks are usually pretty shot. https://aths.org/classifieds/
Mention was made of slamming your hand in the door to get ready for driving a Detroit Diesel powered rig. Better yet, try driving a 70s GMC Astro with a 318 ,13 speed tranny. All you did was shift. In the dead of summer with non working A/C it was like driving a greenhouse on wheels. End of day I felt that I had about melted. A 318 Detroit with 13 speeds, what a pair. And like old Harleys, if it wasn’t leaking oil it was out. The only thing worse was the even more gutless 238 Detoilet 13 speed. At least I drove mostly in the flat lands. GMC did not mean Great Mountain Climber as the old saying went. Oh the memories…..
When I was in college (in the early 80’s) I worked at a truck stop at the base of the Grapevine, just north of Six Flags Magic Mountain. And to this day, I love the smell of diesel exhaust, and often think of the driver friends I had.
Another great movie was High Ballin’ which starred Jerry Reed. This, along with White Line Fever, were the movies that made me fall in love with these cabovers when I was a kid. I was fortunate enough to buy and own a 1975 White Freightliner a few years back that was slightly nicer than this Pete, and had seen limited use as a grain hauler in North Dakota. Sleeper cab, tandem axle, loaded up over-the-road truck with a 350 Cummins and a Fuller 13-speed. It was Metallic Brown with two-tone Gold stripes. I was in heaven driving it back from North Dakota to Ohio. I had no CDL (but I was a cop, and had a BadgeAmericard, had I needed it, lol). I made it unscathed…and fulfilled my lifelong dream of just saying I did it. It beat the heck out of me, bobtail, with only mini-bags on the rear but the comments and conversations on the CB, as well as at the truck stops along the way, made priceless memories. I sold it to a well-known collector of all things Freightliner, and it’s now on the show circuit.
Thanks guys for the ride down memory lane, I started my trucking career in this time warp, first in Mack R600s, International COE, and even later an International “flat floor” COE that was rather nice. As for the running backwards issue, I have friends in WI at Menards outa Eau Claire that tell a story about a tall hill that if you didn’t downshift just right, the engine would start running backwards and just f@%k up your whole day.
My first long haul truck was a 1970 Kenworth K100, bought in ’73. It had, first, a 335 Cummins, and after that one threw a rod out through the side of the block, I downgraded to a 318 8V71 detroit and a 13 speed road ranger tranny with the pronoun of “shift it stupid”. It also had a revolutionary (at the time) torsion suspension that rode quite well, but tended to wear out tires faster than any other suspension.
That was replaced with a four bag air ride, but that wasn’t suited to my summer log hauling job. Air ride was in it’s infancy in those days, and the old ones were not stable enough for the high, wide loads on winding, twisting woods roads.
I ended up with a two spring Hendrickson suspension that didn’t ride very well even when loaded.The old 2 stroke Detroits were pretty reliable as long as you kept oil and water in them, which was a chore, depending on how long away from an overhaul you were.
The very best description of a Detroit was that they were just like a fickle teenage girl in that they sounded awful pretty in town, but when you got ’em out in the country, they just wouldn’t put out. Ha!
No Joe ,you didn’t have to go there with the Detroit 238… what an engine alone with the 53-powers of Diesel Law…. thanks for the comments 🙂 what memories
Just reading the comments on this listing is a lot of fun.
RallyAce, Yes, I am loving it ! These guys have a lot of great stories about these old rigs from many years on the road. And this is just the tip of the iceberg.
BJ and the Bear! just paint it red and and get chimpanzee as a passenger!
Shows Hollywood there, monkeys are disgusting animals, and I would never travel with one.
I don’t think that this could be registered in Commifornia unless you build a camper on the back…
I almost did that with my ’85 Pete 359. I was going to mount a “canned ham” on the back, but after driving one for 35 years, t’was no retirement for me.
Lots of input and lots of memories, heard 903 mentioned the first wreaker I drove was 903 Western Star 220hp (gutless) 15spd all cable wreaker body. These old trucks have a place in the modern world and I think that a good thing recycle, reuse. This is to old for major fleets and screamers leak oil but local contractors doing short hauls with a float etc plus collectors and it’s a Pete it will sell. Howard there is a lot mentioned about 13 spds take a look at that stick, I think there maybe air lines but I cannot identify it. With modern pollution trucks spending 20% (1 year out of 5) in the shop you have to admire these bullit proof old girls.
Hi Lincoln, it’s a vintage Fuller 13 “flat top”, with L-Dir-OD on the shift knob. Not sure what ol’ Bud put on top, maybe a clearance light?
My 903 Cummins was hopped up, if you will permit me saying so. I don’t know what was done with it though. That was done before I got it. It always had plenty of power and I could pull away from a 318 Detroit fully loaded! The CO-4070 rattled the hell out of my back though.
Pretty sure Jan Michael Vincent drove a cab over Ford in that movie but the color is very similar .loved Howard A,s comments and lived the life,I’m 69 and did 20 years long haul trucking and 15 yrs. Hauling hazmat God Bless You
Hi John, thanks for the shout, by golly, as shown, it wasn’t just me, it was a team effort, and we all did our part, no matter what we hauled. Many times, I’d deliver something, put on a hard hat and glasses and “toured” the facility, giving workers with seemingly mundane jobs( compared to ours), a thumbs up went a long ways. ( so did donuts at the dock) We saw how America ran, and were proud to be a piece of it. Electronics have changed the industry considerably, but we can say, no matter how Hollywood depicted our jobs, usually way overblown, we were there. Good job, driver!
That’s the way it was done .seems so right compared to how it’s done today. I had to get out when the electronic logs showed up and can you believe somebody telling when to sleep or when to stay awake.didnt work for me. Keep the shiny side up