Chi-Town Large Cars’ Southern Prez and his 359

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Updated Aug 4, 2017

Hayden Eady

Meet Hayden Eady with his custom 1985 Peterbilt 359, shown in full below, leased to Falkville-based Bama Truck Line hauling open deck freight.

When I saw him out at the Crossville, Tenn., edition of Overdrive‘s Pride & Polish last month, I caught this logo on his custom headache rack (and tattooed on his arm).

Chi-Town Large Cars South Prez

As the photo indicates, Eady is the Southern Chapter Prez of the Chi-Town Large Cars organization of around 150 or so members from three countries. The nonprofit was founded by two Chicago-area truckers, Kris Santoianni and Mario Terzo Jr., inspired in part by Richie Acosta’s East Coast Large Cars group and a general desire to improve the image and reality of the trucking industry. Catch a narrative of how they formed at the group’s website.

Eady got involved around three years ago, attendant to one of the annual shows they put on in the region around the Midwest metropolis. Last year, he says, the group raised more than $10,000 for the AshleyCan Pediatric Cancer Foundation, in just a single day of a truck show and good time of fun and fellowship with fellow truckers in a parking lot.

Chi-Town Large Cars 2015 show posterIn short, the stuff of trucking days of yore that, despite the most dire of prognostications from skeptics about driver-to-driver camaraderie, exists in many corners of the trucking community.

This year’s Annual Benefit and Truck Show, August 15 at the Southland Center in Lynwood, Ill., will in part benefit the family of Seth George Wonders, born prematurely at just more than a pound in weight, then spending the first six months of his life in hospital. Medical bills continue to take a toll on the family and others similarly situated. The video at this link tells the Wonders’ story in part.

“We’re all about trying to bring back some of the old ways” in trucking, among truck owners and drivers, says Eady. Some of that is camaraderie, more is evidenced by the philanthropic spirit of events like this. Again, check out the group, and more information about the show, at the website and their Facebook page.

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Find further views of Eady’s 359 below.

The 1985 Peterbilt 359 extended hood is powered by a Detroit Series 60. 'It may have come with a Cummins,' Eady says. It was bought from a trucker in his area, he adds.The 1985 Peterbilt 359 extended hood is powered by a Detroit Series 60. "It may have come with a Cummins," Eady says. It was bought from a trucker in his area, he adds.

With the exception of rubber floor mats for the unit he's finally found from an aftermarket producer, Eady says, the interior was mostly stock at the Crossville show -- for a classic 359 look.With the exception of rubber floor mats for the unit he's finally found from an aftermarket producer, Eady says, the interior was mostly stock at the Crossville show -- for a classic 359 look.

Another exception -- upgraded seats.Another exception -- upgraded seats.

A little proof for any show disbelievers that the rig is a working one. The mishap that caused this ding had to do with a little shopped-out engine maintenance gone awry. Long story, but suffice it to say it 'gives the just a little character,' Eady says.A little proof for any show disbelievers that the rig is a working one. The mishap that caused this ding had to do with a little shopped-out engine maintenance gone awry. Long story, but suffice it to say it "gives the just a little character," Eady says.

Front fender, step, tank detailFront fender, step, tank detail

A little wider view of the truck's painted lines, which extend nicely from the sleeper to the headache rack at the rear.A little wider view of the truck's painted lines, which extend nicely from the sleeper to the headache rack at the rear.

Stepping on back for a full view of the box -- it's fashioned in part from a likewise 1985-make diamond-plate box Eady rescued from salvage, retooled, and painted.Stepping on back for a full view of the box -- it's fashioned in part from a likewise 1985-make diamond-plate box Eady rescued from salvage, retooled, and painted.

Hayden EadyHayden Eady

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