I Gave This 60-Year-Old Kenworth a 100-Year-Old Interior!
Wrecker Rick Builds
794,828 views
On today’s episode of Wrecker Rick Builds, we’re back in the shop continuing the 1962 Kenworth restoration and pushing this old-school American semi truck closer to being road-ready again. Pick up your favorite build merchandise at https://murphysdiesel.com
This classic Kenworth has already seen more than six decades of hard work, and now Wrecker Rick is tearing into the mechanical issues, welding, fabrication, repairs, and custom work needed to put this vintage big rig back on the highway.
Restoring a truck this old is never as simple as replacing a few parts and turning the key. Every step of this build brings another challenge, from worn-out components and outdated systems to custom fabrication that has to be built from scratch. That means plenty of cutting, grinding, welding, fitting, troubleshooting, and good old-fashioned blue-collar problem solving as we work through the kind of issues every diesel mechanic, fabricator, truck driver, or gearhead knows comes with bringing old iron back to life.
The goal isn’t to turn this 1962 Kenworth into a trailer queen. We’re building it to work.
Once the restoration is far enough along, Wrecker Rick and the family plan to hook this classic Kenworth to a car hauler and put it back on the road for a mission much bigger than the truck itself. The Kenworth will be used to haul seven vehicles across Arizona and deliver them free of charge to seven hardworking families in need.
That mission became Operation Giddy Up and Giveback, where an old American semi truck, a car hauler, and a whole lot of miles came together to help blue-collar families who could use a hand up. Instead of simply restoring a vintage Kenworth to sit in a shop or show field, we wanted this truck to go back to doing what classic trucks were built to do—work hard, haul weight, cover miles, and get the job done.
You can watch the completed journey and see all seven cars delivered to their new families here:
I Gave 7 Blue Collar Families New Cars To ...
This build is for the people who appreciate the sound of an old diesel engine firing up, the smell of a welding shop, sparks flying off a grinder, and the satisfaction of fixing something instead of throwing it away. Whether you grew up turning wrenches on farm equipment, welding in a fabrication shop, driving a semi across the country, repairing heavy equipment, or working on classic trucks in your own garage, there’s something special about seeing a piece of American trucking history get another chance to work.
That’s what Wrecker Rick Builds is all about—real mechanical work, classic truck restoration, diesel-powered builds, welding, fabrication, heavy equipment, and the kind of hands-on craftsmanship that keeps old machinery alive.
Follow along as we continue rebuilding this 1962 Kenworth, work through whatever problems this vintage semi throws at us, and get it ready for the road so it can carry out one of the most meaningful jobs we’ve ever asked an old truck to do.
20 Comments
Billy porath
He is a real American HERO!!
I Gave This 60-Year-Old Kenworth a 100-Year-Old Interior!
Wrecker Rick Builds
794,828 views
On today’s episode of Wrecker Rick Builds, we’re back in the shop continuing the 1962 Kenworth restoration and pushing this old-school American semi truck closer to being road-ready again. Pick up your favorite build merchandise at https://murphysdiesel.com
This classic Kenworth has already seen more than six decades of hard work, and now Wrecker Rick is tearing into the mechanical issues, welding, fabrication, repairs, and custom work needed to put this vintage big rig back on the highway.
Restoring a truck this old is never as simple as replacing a few parts and turning the key. Every step of this build brings another challenge, from worn-out components and outdated systems to custom fabrication that has to be built from scratch. That means plenty of cutting, grinding, welding, fitting, troubleshooting, and good old-fashioned blue-collar problem solving as we work through the kind of issues every diesel mechanic, fabricator, truck driver, or gearhead knows comes with bringing old iron back to life.
The goal isn’t to turn this 1962 Kenworth into a trailer queen. We’re building it to work.
Once the restoration is far enough along, Wrecker Rick and the family plan to hook this classic Kenworth to a car hauler and put it back on the road for a mission much bigger than the truck itself. The Kenworth will be used to haul seven vehicles across Arizona and deliver them free of charge to seven hardworking families in need.
That mission became Operation Giddy Up and Giveback, where an old American semi truck, a car hauler, and a whole lot of miles came together to help blue-collar families who could use a hand up. Instead of simply restoring a vintage Kenworth to sit in a shop or show field, we wanted this truck to go back to doing what classic trucks were built to do—work hard, haul weight, cover miles, and get the job done.
You can watch the completed journey and see all seven cars delivered to their new families here:
I Gave 7 Blue Collar Families New Cars To ...
This build is for the people who appreciate the sound of an old diesel engine firing up, the smell of a welding shop, sparks flying off a grinder, and the satisfaction of fixing something instead of throwing it away. Whether you grew up turning wrenches on farm equipment, welding in a fabrication shop, driving a semi across the country, repairing heavy equipment, or working on classic trucks in your own garage, there’s something special about seeing a piece of American trucking history get another chance to work.
That’s what Wrecker Rick Builds is all about—real mechanical work, classic truck restoration, diesel-powered builds, welding, fabrication, heavy equipment, and the kind of hands-on craftsmanship that keeps old machinery alive.
Follow along as we continue rebuilding this 1962 Kenworth, work through whatever problems this vintage semi throws at us, and get it ready for the road so it can carry out one of the most meaningful jobs we’ve ever asked an old truck to do.