For many, the name Peterbilt conjures up images of real heavy duty trucks in the American sense of the word. You know, the huge 18-wheeler ones that usually do the coast-to-coast runs stateside? But for Randy Grubb and Michael Leeds of Blastolene fame, there’s hot-rod potential by the ton.By Kyle Kock
This particular Peterbilt is of the old-school 351 series, not particularly large and long-since replaced, but sufficient for Grubb’s idea. spotted the finished version at the Monterey Jet Center meet in California, and built by the same man who constructed Jay Leno’s tank car (also of Gran Turismo fame) you can expect it’s a hot-rodders dream.
Chopped, dropped and stuffed to the brim, this 351 features a 14-litre V12 diesel powerplant blessed with the twin superchargers, a redline of 2 800 r/min, and a 4-speed automatic transmission from a greyhound bus. The monstrosity in the engine bay produces 373 kW and 1 356 N.m of torque.
Other features include a fuel tank shaped like a boat’s hull, hand-stitched leather seats and a heavily customised rear end. Apparently Grubb spent 15 months on this project, and has dubbed the truck “Piss’d Off Pete”. Watch your back Optimus Prime!