‘Big Bird’ ’57 Pete spreads its wings

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Updated Jul 16, 2019

Ronnie Jordan, owner of Carrollton, Georgia-based Jordan Truck Sales, bought this 1957 Peterbilt 351 in October 2018 with the goal of tearing it down and rebuilding it to make it show truck quality.

As Jordan Truck Sales VP of Operations Rodney Griffin describes in the video above, Jordan bought the truck from a friend in Scottsboro, Alabama, who ran the truck for about eight years between Scottsboro and Houston. The truck then sat for about a year before they he bought it.

The rig is powered by a 430-hp Cat C12 with a Fuller 15-speed and 3:55 rears. It sits on a 308-inch wheelbase. As Griffin explains, they decided to put in the C12 because it would fit in the engine compartment without any additional cutting.

During the rebuild, Jordan and company tore it down to the frame, sandblasted the frame, added new fenders, tanks, step boxes, headache rack and new stacks, in addition to plenty of chrome.

The rig got its name, “Big Bird,” based on its bright yellow color.

The truck was on display at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville in March as part of the PKY Truck Beauty Championship, where it earned a third-place trophy in the Antique Custom category.

Ronnie Jordan, owner of Jordan Truck Sales, bought “Big Bird” in October 2018 and took about six months to rebuild it.Ronnie Jordan, owner of Jordan Truck Sales, bought “Big Bird” in October 2018 and took about six months to rebuild it. Jordan and crew added plenty of chrome during the rebuild, including the headache rack.Jordan and crew added plenty of chrome during the rebuild, including the headache rack. The truck’s interior features yellow paneling to match the exterior of the unit.The truck’s interior features yellow paneling to match the exterior of the unit. The dash was also done to match the exterior of the rig.The dash was also done to match the exterior of the rig.
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