![]() Today, the company is still privately held with Tommy's sons Robert and Tommy Jr on board as co-owners, as well as long time friend, Nick Bresaw. The company was founded in 1989, by Tommy Fitzgerald Sr. They offer various models of the Peterbilt, Kenworth, Freightliner, and Western Star brands. The company is based in central Tennessee and compl. Fitzgerald also offers one of the best Nationwide Warranties for their kits and has over 150 preferred service centers across the US. The final product is a truck that is more fuel efficient, easily serviceable, yields less downtime and gives the owner all the safety features and amenities found in todays trucks. Fitzgerald Glider Kits specializes in installing remanufactured pre-emission engines (Detroit, Cummins, Caterpillar) into a brand new chassis. The 389 has “Time Stand Still” which references one of John’s favorite songs by the band Rush and how John and Hunter would love for time to stand still in keeping trucks how they were, old-school.Fitzgerald Glider Kits is North America's largest and most respected Glider Kit assembler. The 359 has “Back In Time” because it is old, takes you back in time and is also a reference to the song by Huey Lewis and The News. The bug shields on these trucks represent sentiments of both the ages of the truck and songs that have meaning. Under the hood of the 359 sits a factory original 400hp B Model CAT, while the 389 boasts 650hp with the previously mentioned C-15 CAT engine. The 389 pulls a 2017 Vanguard refrigerated trailer. On the weeks John is in the truck, Hunter pulls a 2008 Utility refrigerated trailer with the 359 locally. Their main commodities are produce and dairy, usually running the lane from New York to Florida. John and Hunter rotate every other week operating the 389. After some custom work the truck stands tall and pays homage to the good old days of trucking.Ĭurrently, Hunter’s 359 operates intrastate only. John picked up his 389 in November of 2016. The parts truck had a working C-15 CAT engine so instead of purchasing a engine from Fitzgerald, the C-15 was removed and taken to Fitzgerald to be installed into the 389. When restoration began on the 359, they purchased an old truck to be used as a parts truck for the 359’s project. John went to Fitzgerald in Tennessee with a vision and Adam Fitzgerald helped to make the vision a reality. ![]() When Hunter had planned to restore his 359, it was decided that John would order a new truck and have it painted almost identical to match Hunter’s truck. The finished product was put back on the road in January of 2017 and unveiled at the 75 Chrome Shop Truck Show in Wildwood, FL. Hunter’s goal was to keep the truck as original as possible only adding a few things like 6” Dynaflex stacks, an 18” Texas bumper, a nice set of half fenders and Legacy leather seats. ![]() The base color was repainted the same Dark Beachwood color that it was painted from the factory. Starting with a fresh paint job, He did not deviate from the original paint scheme and colors. The truck was working during 2015 and was parked in the fall of 2016 to begin the restoration process. Hunter purchased his 359 at the age of 17 in the fall of 2013 and obtained his CDL the following year the day he turned 18. About a year or so ago, John sold the trucking side of the business, but remains a dispatcher part time for the company that purchased his trucks. Over time he would purchase more gliders for his fleet from Fitzgerald. After he spent some time researching different options, he went to Fitzgerald Glider Kits in Tennessee and purchased his first glider, a 2012 Freightliner. His thoughts were returning to engines that he knew were reliable. In those years, after dealing with a number of new trucks with newer engines, he found himself dealing with a number of issues on a consistent basis in 2012 he began looking into gliders. Having drivers in all of the trucks, allowed him to focus on the operations aspect of the business. After 12 years, he got out of the truck and by then owned a small fleet of trucks. John started driving in 1983 at the age of 18 and bought his first truck, a 1987 Kenworth T600 back in 1990. The iconic Peterbilt 359,379,389 have not changed much over the years, there style holds true to the roots of the trucking industry and this beautiful pair is a testament to that. What makes these trucks so special? The almost identical paint scheme to have them match but their age difference is what sets them apart. ![]() Dual Breathers, Dual Exhaust, Power Steering. We always keep trucks built and ready to go. We assemble Peterbilt, Freightliner, Kenworth and Western Star kits. John’s 2016 Peterbilt 389 Fitzgerald Glider and Hunter’s 1984 Peterbilt 359. Fitzgerald Glider Kits is North America’s largest and most trusted Glider Kit assembler. Jenkins Farms South located in Leesburg, FL is comprised of a father and son duo, John (father) and Hunter Jenkins (son).
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |