December 2007 Eye Catching Truck of the Month

RJ Taylor’s 1951 Kenworth “Ol’ Blue”®

 

Story by Mark Harter

Photos courtesy of RJ Taylor

 

Welcome to the December 2007 edition of the Eyes on the Road “Eye Catching Truck of the Month”. This month we have a very special truck to share with you, a truck that needs no introduction, RJ Taylor’s 1951 Kenworth, “Ol’ Blue”.

 

Ol’ Blue, a 1951 Kenworth, was acquired by her owner RJ Taylor in 1964. Someone owed RJ money, and instead of cash, gave RJ an old worn out semi-tractor to repay the debt. RJ fixed up the old tractor enough to make it legal and road worthy so he could start working the truck. During this time, RJ tried selling the tractor, but had no luck due to her age and lack of good looks.

 

After 3 years, RJ, now resigned to being stuck with the tractor, hired an eccentric custom painter, Fred Lamont to paint the old Kenworth blue. When Fred finished his masterful spray-paint job, he scrolled the words “Ol’ Blue” across the Kenworths big aluminum front bumper. RJ didn’t like the name, but Fred convinced RJ that it would grow on him. It did, and the name “Ol’ Blue” has been a registered trademark since 1977. The name “Ol’ Blue” is now cut through the front bumper and is backlit using a blue screen.

 

In 1964, “Ol’ Blue” was powered by a 220hp Cummins Diesel Engine, power was ran through twin sticks, a 5-speed main and 3-speed Brownie box to old twin screw rear ends. Today, Ol’ Blue sports a 460hp Cummins Big Cam III, an 18-speed Fuller transmission, with air-ride rear suspension and a 276” wheelbase with new frame rails that make up for a 14,600lb lightweight.

 

Some interesting facts about Ol’ Blue:

 

-         From 1969 to 1996, Ol’ Blue has appeared in over 150 publications around the world.

-         The name “Ol’ Blue” became a registered trademark in 1977.

-         Since Ol' Blue was built prior to 1955, the truck is legal to run green marker lights atop her cab.

For 3 months out of the year, Ol’ Blue leaves her home in California and travels cross-country, accompanying RJ and team members on a national safety tour for Ol’ Blue USA (United Safety Alliance). To find out more about Ol’ Blue and Ol’ Blue USA, please visit their website at: http://www.olblueusa.org  

    Photo of Ol' Blue USA trailer taken by Stan Holtzman