This profile is part of a multi-part series profiling the seven Pride & Polish winners from the 2020 virtual Pride & Polish photo contest in August.
Ray and Cory Thompson also won Best of Show in the Builders Class in 2019 with “Foolish Habit,” their 2000 Peterbilt 379. (Photos by Jason Kindig)Campbell, Missouri-based father-son duo Ray and Cory Thompson are no strangers to Pride & Polish recognition. The pair won Best of Show in the Builders Class at the 2019 Great American Trucking Show with this same 2000 Peterbilt 379.
The Thompsons bought the truck six years ago from a car hauler with the sole intention of turning it into a show truck. They stripped it to the frame, removed the car hauling accessories and stretched the 280-inch wheelbase to 316 inches.
Full results from the 2020 virtual Overdrive’s Pride & Polish photo contest can be found here.Davis Brothers Designs in Indiana did a majority of the comprehensive rebuild, which included installing late-model doors and mirrors and replacing all wearable parts. They also replaced the sleeper bed with a couch and a large sound system.
The rig was originally dark gray, but the Thompsons painted the frame green and added silver to make it stand out.
“We enjoy people getting to look at the hard work we’ve done on the truck,” Cory said. “This year being virtual, it took some enjoyment out of it to not meet people, but we’re glad we could enter and be selected to win.”
The Thompsons named the truck “Foolish Habit” during the rebuild when they realized how much money and time they were putting into it.
Cory said they’ve made only minor changes to the truck over the last year. The next big project they hope to do is to get a trailer and customize it to enter shows as a combo instead of a bobtail.
“Foolish Habit” also earned third place in the interior category in the 2020 virtual Pride & Polish contest.
