The Peterbilt 359 Has A Long History And A Bright Future (2024)

Table of Contents
Resale value Famous owners FAQs

Whether you're looking for a new truck or are restoring a classic, you'll be happy to know that the Peterbilt 359 is one of the most popular trucks on the market. Not only are these pickups known for their durability, but they're also highly versatile, so you'll be able to get the job done quickly.

Resale value

The Peterbilt 359 Has A Long History And A Bright Future (1)

During its heyday, the Peterbilt 359 was the most popular truck on the road. It had a lot of features that made it a winner. From its vast engine compartment to its rounded doors, the 359 had a lot to offer. The truck was also very versatile, allowing many different engine options and configurations.

Peterbilt has a long history of manufacturing big rigs. The Model 379 was the company's flagship for years and was the truck of choice for owner-operators. Its resale value is unparalleled, with many still in service today. The Model 359 was the company's first long-hood truck. It was designed to last longer than most other trucks. Peterbilt also made many fuel-efficient models. The company's early model designations are easy to figure out, especially those describing how many axles are in the truck. The first digit represents the number of axles, while the second describes the number of engines.

The 359 was a wildly successful model with a loyal fan base and an incredible resale value. The truck's features and design made it famous for many organizations and individuals. The car is also featured in many popular films, such as Smokey and the Bandit and Fast and Furious. It also had some mechanical and electrical issues.

The first Peterbilt 359 model was introduced in 1967. It was the first Peterbilt truck to have a long hood and a walk-through cab. The car also had a lot of legroom. It also came with dual air horns and a dual-fuel tank. The truck could be ordered with an all-aluminum body. This made the car lighter and allowed more weight to be carried onboard. It also made the car much more durable.

The Model 359 also featured a new dash design. The dash was similar to the life on a Corvette. The 359 was also the first Peterbilt truck to have rectangular headlamps. It also had a long steering angle to ensure a smooth-turning radius. It was also the first to have a sleeper. The sleeper was also more spacious than other peer models. It was also equipped with sleeper-mounted lights.

The Peterbilt 359 also featured a fantastic paint job. The truck came with a lot of customization options, including a choice of engines and transmissions. It also had a large engine compartment and a high stack. The body was made of aluminum, which added to the truck's durability. It also made the truck lighter, which helped with fuel efficiency. The car also had an all-aluminum cab, the industry's first aluminum hood.

The Peterbilt 359 also had many TV and movie appearances. It has been featured in many animated series, including "Smokey and the Bandit" and "Joy Ride." It has also been featured in several popular movies.

Famous owners

The Peterbilt 359 Has A Long History And A Bright Future (2)

During the 1960s, the Peterbilt 359 was the long-haul truck of choice for owner-operators. It was the first of its kind and the first long-hood truck made by Peterbilt. This truck featured the company's trademark "Air-Trac" suspension system, which helped provide a smooth ride. The 359 also had dual air horns and dual fuel tanks. It also came with a sleeper-mounted light and a large engine compartment.

It was a trendy truck among individual owners as well as organizations. Known as the "hot rig" of its day, the 359 was built for discriminating owner-operators. It had a substantial resale value and a loyal fan base. Peterbilt announced in 1986 that they would produce a limited number of special classic 359 numbered trucks.

The Peterbilt 359 rig made the company what it is today. It was built on a solid ladder frame that made it durable. It also offered several aluminum options that helped reduce body weight. The 359 also had several features that helped ensure a good turning radius.

The Peterbilt 359 is a powerful truck. Its engine can be replaced with the Cummins ISX 871 or the Cummings 400. The machine is also available in a hybrid-electric configuration, although it is not found in most commercial vehicles. A good repair service can help maintain the truck.

The 359 has a high resale value, and it is also customizable. This is one of the reasons why it was such a popular truck. It was available with a wide variety of engines and transmissions. Peterbilt also made the car entirely out of aluminum. This added strength to the vehicle and helped it with a payload capacity.

The Peterbilt 359 also had a solid fan base. This was partly due to its unique features, such as a high engine compartment and large breather canisters. It also had a long hood and tall stacks. Peterbilt also introduced a new dash style, known as the "corvette dash," in 1977. The early Corvettes inspired this. The dash also featured a hood emblem.

Eventually, Peterbilt decided to discontinue the 359 in 1987. The last 8,844 359s were built. Despite this, the truck is still in excellent condition today. This truck still has great value and can be purchased for as little as $35,000 to $38,000.

While the 359 was a good truck, it had its disadvantages. Its rough ride was a problem for many truck owners. The car also suffered from electrical issues. Often, the body panels would scrape the paint. Occasionally, the truck would shake loose, causing the rivets to loosen. It also had a low engine compression, which was a common problem with diesel engines with high mileage.

The Peterbilt 359 Has A Long History And A Bright Future (2024)

FAQs

What is the history of the Peterbilt 349? ›

1980 marked the opening of Peterbilt's new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Denton, Texas, that paved the way for revolutionary new designs. To expand its vocational offerings, Peterbilt introduced the Model 349, a lighter-weight highway tractor featuring the first-ever sloped nose on a Peterbilt truck.

What are some interesting facts about Peterbilt? ›

According to information out there, the name 'Peterbilt' is derived from a line of wood doors that was produced in one of Peterman's lumber facilities. Plywood was used very liberally on the interior of early “Petes”, which was another link with Peterman's lumber operations.

What is the history of the Peterbilt 353? ›

In 1973, the Model 353 was introduced as a construction-oriented variant of the 359 (using its wider grille), replacing the 341 and heavy-duty versions of the 351; production of the Madison facility was doubled, allowing the company to deliver 8,000 vehicles yearly. In 1974, a set-back front axle was added to the 359.

How many miles can you get out of a Peterbilt 379? ›

One of the big factors in this semi truck's popularity is its ability to keep on truckin', for miles and miles. It was – and still is – easy to maintain and repair, and a well-maintained Peterbilt 379 semi truck can run 750,000 miles without a rebuild, and can get up to 1,000,000 miles and more.

What year did the Peterbilt 359 come out? ›

Although first introduced more than 50 years ago in 1967, the 359 looks right at home on the road today. There's a good reason for that – Peterbilt continues to use it as the blueprint for its modern flagship trucks.

Why do people love Peterbilt? ›

Peterbilt's engines are especially well made. They often last for a decade or more, going over a million miles without needing a rebuild or major repairs. If you keep up the maintenance on your truck, it will keep running for you. It isn't all just about build quality.

What is the nickname for a Peterbilt truck? ›

Freight shaker – A Freightliner truck. K-Whopper – A Kenworth truck. Pete – A Peterbilt truck.

How many miles will a Peterbilt last? ›

What Lifespan and Mileage Can You Expect Out of a Semi Truck? Semi trucks, unlike cars, are built to endure long distances and heavy loads. This means that while the average car lasts about 200,000 miles, a typical semi truck can last up to 750,000 miles or more, with some reaching the one million mile mark.

Does Ford own Peterbilt? ›

Pacific Car & Foundry (PACCAR), originally a maker of railway and logging equipment, acquired Peterbilt, accelerating its growth into one of the largest commercial vehicle manufacturers worldwide.

What does 379 mean Peterbilt? ›

The Peterbilt 379 is a model line of Class 8 trucks that was produced by the Peterbilt division of PACCAR from 1987 to 2007. Serving as the successor to the 359, the 379 was a conventional-cab truck configured primarily for highway use, serving as the flagship of the Peterbilt model line.

What Peterbilt has the longest hood? ›

Its traditional aluminum hood, signature grille, West Coast-style mirrors, classic pod headlamps, and external air cleaners paired with the longest-ever hood on a conventional Peterbilt have made the Model 389 one of the most recognized and popular big rigs today.

Which semi truck engine lasts the longest? ›

The Cummins engine, which is a popular engine choice for heavy-duty trucks, has by far the finest reputation. Cummins engines are renowned for their dependability and effectiveness. The torque produced by smaller engines was insufficient in the past, but new developments have greatly improved this.

What is the most sought after Peterbilt? ›

The Peterbilt 379 is an iconic model known for its durability and classic design, making it highly popular among truckers.

Why do semi trucks last so long? ›

One of the biggest reasons for the exceptional durability of the semi truck is the diesel engine design. Diesel engines have many advantages for professional drivers: Diesel fuel is lighter and more efficient, which makes it safer and less volatile for most engines.

What year did Peterbilt start making the 389? ›

At its introduction, the Peterbilt 389 was the company's biggest highway truck on the road, and it remains one of the most recognized big rigs today. Peterbilt has manufactured over 230,000 units of the Model 389 since its introduction in 1987, with over 89% still in use today.

What is the most famous Peterbilt truck? ›

Peterbilt 359

As one of the older models, the 359 is cherished for its classic design and was the foundation for many modern Peterbilts.

What happened to the Peterbilt 389? ›

The Model 389 will end its historic production run at the end of the year. Its successor, the new legendary Model 589 introduced earlier this year, is now available for order through any of Peterbilt's 425+ dealer locations in North America.

What is a Peterbilt 389X? ›

Unparalleled Power Under the Hood:

The Peterbilt 389X is a heavy-duty truck that boasts a powerhouse engine. Usually, the truck is equipped with a Cummins X15 engine that is known for its exceptional performance, reliability, and fuel efficiency.

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