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PETERBILT

25 entries

American truck maker founded in 1939 from the Fageol company, part of PACCAR since 1958 and based in Denton, Texas.

Established: 1939, from the Fageol Truck and Motor Company
Founder: T. A. Peterman
Owner: PACCAR, since 1958
Headquarters: Denton, Texas

Peterbilt was established in 1939, when the lumberman T. A. Peterman bought the Fageol Truck and Motor Company and reopened its Oakland plant under his own name. The first models offered for public sale, the 260 and 334, appeared in April 1939.

The company has operated as part of PACCAR since 1958 and competes with its sister division Kenworth. Peterbilt trucks are identified by a red oval emblem used since 1953 and a bird-style hood ornament on conventional cabs since 1965.

1939Peterbilt Motors Company established
1953Red oval emblem introduced
1958Becomes part of PACCAR
1965Bird-style hood ornament on conventional cabs