This 1979 A-Model Kenworth is owned by Fikes Truck

Jan 25, 2012

This 1979 A-Model Kenworth is owned by Fikes Truck Lines and was restored in 2008 by the Chrome Shop Mafia in Joplin, Mo., after the carrier bought it from an owner-operator leased to them at the time. The truck still has its original 3406 Cat engine and 9-speed transmission.

Randy Menkel and Never Satisfied Builds/J&L Contracting took home top honors in the 2026 Big Rig Build-Off at the Mid-America Trucking Show with their full-custom 1985 Peterbilt 359.

PKY results: Never Satisfied Builds' 1985 Peterbilt 359 captures big Build-Off win

Dozens of other trucks were recognized in a variety of categories, including Limited Mileage Bobtail and Combo, Working Bobtail and Combo, and many more.

Enter your own or another deserving owner's business (up to 3 trucks) in Overdrive's 2026 Trucker of the Year competition via this link.

Trucker of the Year John Penn honored at MATS among owner-op peers

DOT Secretary Sean Duffy talks to Overdrive ahead of his speech at the Mid-America Trucking Show. Both FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs and Duffy walked among the show attendees, answering questions off the cuff and vowing major change.

DOT's Duffy: 'Spot rates are going to go up' as FMCSA cracks down on fraudsters

Never Satisfied Builds brought this custom 1985 Peterbilt 359 for its entry in the MATS Big Rig Build-Off. Sitting on a 320-inch wheelbase, the truck boasts a 650-hp 5EK Cat with an 18-speed and a 4-speed auxiliary and 3.70 rears.

Early scenes from MATS: Custom trucks put on a show

FMCSA announces major investigations at freight fraud panel

FMCSA fully engaged with owner-ops: OOIDA | DACA-recipient CDL holders have hope?

More episodes »

Showcase your workhorse

Add a photo of your rig to our Reader Rigs collection to share it with your peers and the world. Tell us the story behind the truck and your business to help build its story.

Submit Your Rig