From Knight Rider to Mad Maxx to the Transformers, sci-fi aficionados seem to love futuristic vehicles, and one recently landed on Craigslist. It appears a 1982 Peterbilt used in the short-lived The Highwayman action-crime series still purrs like a kitten, even if the show tanked after nine episodes in April 1988.
In dramatic form, actor William Conrad delivers an opening monologue that tells the story of a near future where justice requires crime fighters to drive specialized tractor-trailers. He also goes on to run through the Peterbilt’s advanced technology that reduces emissions and runs on wide-reaching fuel sources.
“There is a world, just beyond now, where reality runs a razor-thin seam between fact and possibility; where the laws of the present collide with the crimes of tomorrow. Patrolling these vast outlands is a new breed of lawman, guarding the fringes of society’s frontiers, they are known simply as ‘Highwaymen’… and this is their story,” Conrad says.
It’s important for collectors and nostalgic truckers to know that the Peterbilt in question is not necessarily the TV show’s lead rig. That truck was driven by actor Sam J. Jones and its whereabouts are unclear. Jones’ semi had a massive domed cab that sprouted a helicopter. The “trailer” stored a Series 3 Lotus Esprit, considered trendy during the big hair eighties.
This low-mileage, tricked-out 18-wheeler was operated by a sidekick called Jetto. His character was an Aussie outback survivalist played by Mark “Jacko” Jackson. After the television series went off the air, the Class 8 vehicle surfaced in the debut episode of Power Rangers Time Force. And Tim Russ reportedly played D.C. Montana, charged with modifying and maintaining the crime-stopping trucks.
To say reports of a 40-year-old semi that was built two years before the Transformers toy line hit shelves is more than a novelty. The notion of owning The Highwayman truck is either quirky or eccentric, depending on the age of the buyer. But sources such as Motor Trend give it a lukewarm endorsement.
“The Peterbilt hides a new 700 horsepower Detroit Diesel engine (somewhere) with only 5,000 miles on it, backed by an automatic transmission,” according to Motor Trend. “That means it’s basically a low-mileage Peterbilt, yeah, with an extra scoop of What am I looking at? Of course. The company that originally built it reportedly spent $500,000 on the project; it’s all steel construction with apparently no fiberglass.”
The initial asking price posted on Craigslist was $65,000 in the North Hollywood listings. But the question for would-be buyers involves what to do with this rust bucket. The seller suggests giving it a makeover and leasing it out to the movie and television industry. Perhaps the closing remarks on the Craigslist ad say it all.
“Roadworthy and registered, lost the registration but can get duplicate, has a 1982 Peterbilt pink slip, great project truck, can be made into a custom mobile home or RV.”
Sources: youtube.com, craigslist.com, motortrend.com, autoblog.com
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