YORK COUNTY, Pa. — The American Truck Historical Society is back at York Fairgrounds for the 45th National Convention and Truck Show.
Thousands of trucks and spectators from around the world are expected to attend the event that goes throughout the weekend.
While many of the trucks come from different ages, like the late 1900s or 21st century, Marty Glomb said that there are many things to learn about the trucking industry and how they keep the economy going.
“Well [guests] can certainly see how those trucks that did those jobs have evolved,” said Glomb. “[They] can see up to 120 years worth of evolution of trucks, how much they changed, and how primitive they were in the early days.”
Amongst the thousands of truckers at the Truck Show was Kathryn Whiting, a female trucker from Wisconsin, who recently just got into the industry.
Whiting started as a health coach, educating and helping truckers certify that they’re healthy enough to drive trucks. She’s attended dozens of shows and quickly grew and created a family with people in the trucking industry.
Not too long after, Whiting received her CDL license and looked to become a part of the trucking industry, making her few female truckers in the trucking industry.
Whiting also grew very fond of the Kenworth truck. According to their website, the Kenworth Truck Company is an American truck manufacturer. Founded in 1923 as the successor to Gersix Motor Company, Kenworth specializes in the production of heavy-duty and medium-duty commercial vehicles.
"To have all this amazing horsepower under the hood, the twin six the long hood A, these things are just historically unique,” said Whiting.
Whiting always aspired to have a Kenworth of her own and was determined to get one. She said on her way home she spotted a 1973 Kenworth truck in the driveway of a home in Wisconsin. After a year of convincing the trucker to sell it to her, she was able to finally own a Kenworth.
“She just became my girl so she is actually the first truck I’ve owned,” said Whiting.
Whiting said it took three years, three months, and three days to get the 1973 truck completely restored and designed to her liking. With bright red and cream colors of paint stretching down the front and sides of the truck, she named it “Suite Cherry Pie.”
"This is another reason I encourage women to get involved in the restoration because we can bring just a different perspective,” said Whiting.
Whiting has been in several shows across the country to show off Suite Cherry Pie and explain the amount of work that has gone into creating a truck that matches her personality. She also said that she wants to show other women that there are fields they can break into and get paid well.
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