Road Trip Report

A road trip to Quebec usually includes a stop at the Navistar International dealer in Rivière-du-Loup, QC. Aside from a number of new Lone Stars lined up on Temiscouata Blvd, there were a couple of interesting units in the back lot.

A beefy AWD plow special was awaiting a new spreader body. Note the "blind" hood with no headlight openings. The headlights are mounted on wands, high above the plow frame.

New HX awaits installation of a body. Also painted in highway department yellow, it has perforations in the bumper for some purpose, perhaps hydraulics. The bumper projects out about a foot ahead of the fender line.

There are "Binders" in other parts of the Province too:

Lone Stars are fairly rare so a quick "grab shot" was necessary for this chip hauler at Pointe-au-Pic. Too bad I didn't take a video - those large diameter pipes were nearly deafening at close range.

The HX model is also popular for the heavy work and the Clermont, QC dealer has a special painted version on display.

A favourite of mine has always been the Paystar 5000 model from the 1970s. A preserved former Quebec highways unit still sees regular use hauling firewood. I like to check in on it every year to see that it is still running, so you will have seen pictures of it here before.

Another oldie, which from the fleet number is either a 2001 or a 2005 (likely the former) is this Eagle with plow fittings.

Getting a major refit, it should be on the road before the snow arrives.

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Kenworth - Quebec Loyalty

Both Kenworth and Peterbilt are assembled at a mammoth PACCAR (Pacific Car and Foundry) plant in Ste-Therese, QC. Although only medium duty Kenworth T120, T270 and T370s are assembled there now, there is still a lot of brand loyalty in Quebec for the heavier rigs.

Thus many KWs make their way to the Simard Suspensions shop in Baie St-Paul, QC. a recent sampling:

Interesting to see a red frame, maybe the rest of this hauler will get the same treatment.

 Not visible in the photo is a large notch in the sleeper roof, indicating a likely crane installation.

The big tombstone grille is still popular.

Autocars - Volvo Era - on the road trip

Original White Autocars are pretty rare, but even the late model Volvo Autocars are seldom seen, but I keep my road trip eyes open.

This semi with dump trailer was taking at lunch break at the Tim Horton's /Shell at the east side of Moncton / Dieppe, NB. Note the skid plate - once an Autocar trademark.

A twin steer dumper near Quebec City was idle for the last weekend of the construction holiday. It does not wear the Volvo diagonal rad bar (it may have been removed).

The rad, headlight frames and even the famed monogram were nicely picked out in red.

Volvo built nearly identical trucks without the Autocar radiator/grille, such as this pristine straight operated by Miller paving, also seen in Moncton, NB. It normally tows a draw bar trailer carrying a roller.

Volvo produced Autocar branded trucks from 1981 to 2001 before selling the trade name.

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