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Michael Most set out to prove a point with his ’99 Freightliner and came up a winner

By James Jaillet

To put it bluntly, Mike Most says, he was just tired of seeing Peterbilts and Kenworths take home all of the awards and get all of the glory.

Most is a self-proclaimed Freightliner man, having driven one for years, and he never saw a Freightliner compete in a truck show and win. Four years ago, he decided to make amends to his bystander-seen Freightliner tract record.

“I wanted to slowly but surely show that a Freightliner classic could compete with Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks and win best of show,” says Most. Seven Best of Show awards later, “I think we’ve kind of proved the point,” he says.

The Phoneix resident bought the 1999 Classic, his first truck, in 1998, and he used it as a cornerstone to build what is now a 60-truck fleet that hauls tropical fish nationwide for PetSmart.

When the truck needed a new paint job in 2006, Most seized the opportunity.

Most coated the truck with Millennium Yellow, which he’d seen on a friend’s Corvette. “I had never seen that color truck on the road, and we wanted to have a completely different color truck than anybody’s out there. So that’s what we went with.

Freightliner of Arizona applied the paint to the cab and frame rails. The next year, Most added chrome, stainless and WTI fenders, pulled the engine and painted it to match, pulled and fabricated all of the stainless steel boxes and changed all of the looms on the engine to match one another. He also had the entire drive train and suspension painted yellow.

Next, Most says, the truck’s calling card was added. Spun of ideas from Most, his children and the truck’s driver Nick Mitchell, the Classic’s cartoon-based paintings and namesake theme, Legends and Heroes, was born and implemented with detailed murals throughout the truck’s entirety.

The truck, despite its pressed and immaculate show appearance, works just like any other of Most’s 60 during a normal work week. The truck runs about 125,000 miles per year, and keeping it clean is not something he and his crew take lightly, he says.

Between runs, generally on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday of each week, the truck is taken to a local wash, Danny’s Truck Wash in Phoenix, and “completely and utterly power-washed, steam-cleaned and waxed,” Most says. “We make sure no road crud stays on longer than 48 hours.”

During the course of Most’s truck beauty show winning spree over the last few years, his attitude has changed slightly from proving a Freightliner can win at shows to simply being part of the action.

“We do it for the fun,” Most says. “Now, our mindset isn’t completely on winning best of shows. Do we want to win best of show? Yea. Do we want to be first in our class? That’s there, too.

“But I think the important thing is getting out and showing people the trucks in the industry and showing the industry is alive and well.”

Murals with meaning

To get the true feel of Michael Most’s Freightliner requires getting up close to see the details in the murals.

M&M candy characters (stemming from Most’s nickname and initials) hitchhiking to Vegas decorate the passenger side of his 1999 Freightliner Classic, along with the Looney Toons Tazmanian Devil and the Cheetos Cheetah.

On the back of the sleeper a mural honors the New York City native’s family members who work with the transit, police and fire departments in NYC involved in the World Trade Center attacks in 2001.

Then there’re the murals on both outside and inside of the hood commemorating Dale Earnhardt.

“Dale Earnhardt’s a legend, and the heroes are from 9/11,” explains Most. “That’s where we came up with it. And on the [driver] side we put M&M guys in military outfits to add a little bit more to the legends and heroes theme.”

Interior Challenges

During the course of rebuilding Legends & Heroes, Michael Most says he ran into a few roadblocks when looking for custom parts, especially for interior upgrades. So he improvised.

Rockwood Products custom installed the African Rosewood flooring and fabricated the truck’s dashboard pieces, including the stainless steel elements.

Freightliner of Arizona airbrushed the truck’s interior and sleeper to mimic the African Rosewood floor, and Tino’s Upholstery specially fabricated the interior in light brown and dark brown suede.

“A lot of the custom stuff just isn’t made for Freightliners, so we had to have a lot of custom installs and make things work,” Most says. “There were tons of challenges. But that’s also part of what makes the truck special.”

Legends and Heroes

Owner: Michael Most

Model: 1999 Freightliner Classic XL

Wheelbase: 265-in.

Engine: 550hp Caterpillar 3406

Transmission: Eaton Fuller 13-speed

Exterior Mods: Millennium Yellow paint, custom murals, 22-in. bumper, powder coated air tanks, double hump WTI fenders, chrome and custom paint job under hood

Interior Mods: Three-tone suede interior, mural on ceiling, Rockwood African Rosewood flooring, airbrushed walls made to match floor, powder-coated dash to match paint

[View with PicLens]

by Brad Bentley

Mike Ryan is a consummate pro when it comes to driving big rigs fast.

But his skills behind the wheel of his 1,950-horsepower daycab  Freightliner Cascadia required him to dig a little deeper as he put it into a powerslide going up the infamous “Ws” on Pikes Peaks narrow two-lane road to the summit.

Ryan never lifted and kept his Detroit-Diesel-powered race truck between the 1,000-foot cliffs and the rock walls during the  88th running of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb June 27.

Known as The Race To The Clouds, it started off as anything but, with clear skies and sunshine and perfect conditions for record-setting action in these race classes: Unlimited, Super-Stock Car, Open Wheel, Pike Peak Open, Showroom Stock, Motorcycles (five classes), Side Cars, Quads, Time Attack and Big Rig.

Several drivers came through with breakthrough performances and record times, but there were numerous delays with drivers going off course, which allowed the always unpredictable weather to become a factor later in the day.

By the time Mike Ryan’s Detroit Diesel-powered Freightliner Cascadia completed the course in the Big Rig class to cap the racing action, there were snow flurries at the summit of Pike’s Peak and rain on the rest of the mountain.

Ryan is always a fan favorite and everyone was excited to see how he would fare this year. The weather was a slight factor, but suspension understeer issues, which slowed Ryan in the switchbacks section of the course, took away what otherwise might have been a record run. However, Mike still made an impressive climb up the course, and the fans were certainly not disappointed.

The Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb is essentially a race against the clock, so everywhere you turn people are focused on numbers. With that in mind, here is a “by the numbers” look at the Race To The Clouds:

1916 – the year Spencer Penrose, a Colorado Springs businessman finished construction on the world’s highest highway, a toll road to Pike’s Peak. Soon, Penrose decided to hold a race to the top, with a colossal silver trophy as a prize, and the Race To The Clouds was born. It has been held every year since, making it the second oldest road race in America. Only the Indianapolis 500 precedes it.

14,110 – the elevation of the top of Pike’s Peak. This is almost a mile higher that at the Start Line. Many racers, including Ryan, carry bottled oxygen to help them deal with the high altitude.

61,626 – the length (in feet) of plus grade on the race course, which is a mixture of pavement and dirt/gravel surface.

16 – the number of times Mike Ryan has raced in the Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb. He competed on a motorcycle for two years, and in a big rig for 14.

12 – the number of Unser family members who have competed in the hill climb over the years. Many of racing’s most famous families, from Dallenbach, Millens, Donner and Mears, have had multiple competitors.

13:03 – Mike Ryan’s time this year. This was only 20 seconds off his still standing big rig record of 12:43, set in 2006.

1,950 – the amount of horsepower Ryan can generate from his engine, which was completed  “in-house” in two months time. As built from Detroit Diesel, it dyno’ed at 1,600 hp. The compounding turbo set up from Borg Warner and BD Turbo along with the Snow Performance water-methanol injection added about 350 hp, according to the suppliers.

9,700 – the weight (in pounds) of Ryan’s customized Freightliner Cascadia, which is 1,200 lbs heavier than his previous truck, a 2005 Freightliner Century Class ST. The extra weight and the fact that Ryan did not have a factory powered race team engine like his previous truck make this year’s performance even more impressive.

156 – the number of turns Ryan had to navigate on the 12.42-mile course as it winds its way up Pikes Peak

10:01.408 – the record time set in 2007 by Monster Tajima in a Suzuki XL7 Hill Climb Special. Tajima competes in the Unlimited class, where anything goes as long as it passes safety inspection. Both Tajima and drifting star Rhys Millen were thought to have legitimate shots of completing the course sub-10 this year, but both fell short. Tajima was the closest at 10:11.

Freightliner’s classic heavy-duty truck, the updated Coronado, features traditional styling and improved aerodynamics

(Photos by Bruce W. Smith/Custom Rigs)

Freightliner Trucks introduced the new on-highway Coronado  at the Chrome Shop Mafia headquarters in Joplin, Mo. Featuring enhanced aerodynamics, updated technological innovations and luxurious styling, the Coronado is the perfect blend of form and function.

Freightliner’s top-of-the-line heavy-duty truck – the Coronado features improved fuel economy and revamped comfort features.

“The Coronado commands attention on the road – it is ideal for owner-operators who want a truck that not only turns heads – but turnsprofits,” said Melissa Clausen, director of product marketing for Freightliner Trucks.

“Sleek design updates, both inside and out, have resulted in a fuel-efficient truck that’s comfortable to drive.

Sleek and Aerodynamic

Using Freightliner’s state-of-the-art wind tunnel to develop and testthe new truck, the Coronado was designed with style and efficiency in mind.

“Our goal was to create a traditionally-styled aerodynamic truck that would help owners reduce fuel consumption and increase bottom lineprofits,” said Clausen. “Everything about the Coronado was carefully

developed and built to keep it running and earning revenue.”

The Coronado’s hood is constructed out of one-piece fiberglass that isrobust, yet easy to repair – incorporating parting lines to assist thebody shop and reduce repair costs. The truck’s smooth stainless steel grille is ready for years of use, and the Coronado’s chrome-plated hoodhandle was designed in Freightliner’s wind tunnel to specificallyenhance airflow over the truck.

Further enhancing aerodynamics, the curved shape of the Coronado two-piece windshield is sloped for better airflow around, and over thecab, decreasing wind resistance and further lowering fuel costs.

And, dual chrome steel intakes come standard on the Coronado. Air enters the system through two chromed steel grilles on either side of the hood,combining an aerodynamic and functional inlet with a stylish design.

Designed for maximum efficiency, the intakes are positioned on eitherside of the hood to minimize the infiltration of water, snow, roaddebris or dust.

“Every element on the Coronado – from the hood to the fender and even the mirrors – was tested in the wind tunnel to optimize airflow,” said Clausen. “This aerodynamic design, coupled with the latest in clean engine technology, enhances overall efficiency.”

Contemporary, Stylish Design

The Coronado features a strong, durable cab made of high-strength, lightweight aluminum. This lightweight construction allows owner-operators to increase revenue by hauling larger payloads. And, an up-to 50 degree wheel cut – comparable to many set-back axle trucks – helps the Coronado easily maneuver.

The Coronado’s updated design includes new headlights that are both stylish and durable. The headlights are made from a strong composite material and incorporate a single reflector, which offers excellent lighting capability both forward and to the side. For added convenience, the headlight uses just a single bulb, which is readily available at any

auto parts store for replacement without any special tools.

The truck’s hood tilts almost 90 degrees for easy engine access, making daily fluid level checks effortless. A special spring helps open and close the hood and reduces the lift effort to 40 pounds, for a smooth, easy opening.

“Productivity is the highest priority, so we designed the Coronado to enable owner-operators to easily make adjustments on their own, keeping repair costs and downtime to a minimum,” said Clausen.

Smooth Ride and Comfortable Style

Noise abatement materials such as noise panels in the floor, front wall, sides and back panel keep the truck as quiet as possible. Double-sealed doors and well-sealed windows further reduce noise.

The truck’s well-appointed interior, complete with Oregon Burl Wood trim and accents on the dash, provide a feeling of luxury.

The Coronado also features an updated dashboard, designed with the driver experience in mind. Formed as a single piece to minimize fasteners and rubbing points that create rattles, the Coronado’s dashboard is one of the quietest ever developed by Freightliner.

The dashboard’s controls, valves and air switches are front-loaded and located within easy reach, and the gauges can be easily read. All switches and instrument panels are backlit by LED lights for non-glare nighttime viewing, and extra-large panels provide greater flexibility in gauge combinations.

The Coronado’s luxurious sleeper includes strategically placed cabinets to maximize storage, and a stow-away upper bunk provides extra bed space. A pullout writing surface, clothing rack and a separate control panel for heat, air conditioning and lighting complete the interior.

“Our customers spend most of their time inside the truck, so we wanted it well-appointed and comfortable,” said Clausen.

Awith the Detroit Diesel(r) DD13(tm), DD15(tm), and DD16(tm) engines, as well as the Cummins ISX, the Coronado is designed to meet the upcoming EPA 2010 standards. Available Detroit Diesel engines are equipped with the revolutionary new BlueTec(r) emissions technology. BlueTec-equipped engines deliver a fuel economy improvement of up to 5 percent compared to EPA 2007 engines and are an evolution of the selective catalytic reduction technology developed by Daimler.

“The Coronado is a traditional truck with today’s most innovative engineering and design elements,” said Michael Jackson, general manager of marketing for Daimler Trucks North America. “The Coronado is a smart

option that is ready to take on any challenge.”

Continental Tires Named

Original Equipment

for Freightliner M2 Trucks

FORT MILL, S.C. (May 12, 2009) – Continental Tire North America, Inc. and Freightliner Trucks are pleased to announce that Continental tires will now become standard original equipment on all Freightliner Business Class® M2 medium-duty trucks.

In addition, Continental’s lineup of commercial vehicle tires will become optional on other Daimler Trucks North America LLC (DTNA) brands including Western Star trucks, Thomas Built buses, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation chassis and all other Freightliner vehicles, said DTNA executives. Freightliner Trucks is a division of DTNA.

The addition of Continental’s truck tires to the already impressive list of original equipment on the Business Class M2 trucks completes Freightliner’s commitment to quality and performance, said Melissa Clausen, Freightliner Trucks’ director of product marketing.

“Continental’s heavy steer tires complement our proven engineering for the Business Class M2 trucks,” Clausen said. “The M2 is designed for maximum reliability and fuel efficiency, and this is what we found in Continental’s product offering. With long original mileage and capabilities for on or off-road applications, Continental tires will be able to handle the demands of our M2 customers for a reliable tire that can stand up to their toughest driving conditions.”

Freightliner customers will soon be able to choose from new offerings from Continental to meet their truck tire needs. Continental will be launching a redesigned regional steer tire, the HSR2, which replaces Continental’s best-selling HSR, introduced in 2002.

Produced in Continental’s Mt. Vernon, Ill. award-winning manufacturing plant, the HSR2 (Heavy Steer Regional) is set to maintain Continental’s industry benchmark in the regional steer application. At 23/32” depth, the updated tread compound is designed to increase mileage by 15 percent over the current HSR and improves cut and chip resistance for optimal performance.

Freightliner customers for waste hauling, construction and other on/off highway service applications will also soon be able to choose Continental’s newest tire for urban needs, the HSU2 (Heavy Steer Urban) which replaces the HSU model. The HSU2 is also produced in Continental’s Mt. Vernon, Ill. plant and offers maximum life through its 26/32” deep rib design, which is 8 percent deeper than the HSU and puts more “rubber on the road.” The HSU2’s enhanced bead design enables 10,000 pound capacity at 65 mph.

“Continental is pleased to have been chosen as the strategic supplier partner to Freightliner Trucks and the brands of DTNA, especially at a time when we can offer them our newest heavy steer tires,” said Tom Fanning, Continental’s director of original equipment sales – The Americas. “The long mileage and fuel efficiency of our truck tires, paired with our innovative technologies in alignment tracking, stone ejection and chip-resistant treads will help keep drivers of DTNA trucks on the road longer.”

Available in multiple cab configurations, Freightliner’s Business Class M2 medium duty trucks support a wide range of bodies and chassis-mounted equipment, making them ideal for a wide variety of applications such as towing, pickup and delivery, food and beverage distribution, emergency services, utility or garbage collection.

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About Continental
With sales exceeding €24 billion in 2008, the Continental Corporation is one of the top automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for the powertrain and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, the corporation contributes towards enhanced driving safety and protection of the global climate. Continental is also a competent partner in networked automobile communication. The corporation employs nearly 140,000 at approximately 190 locations in 35 countries.