Road transport - USA: books - vehicles and history

The Long Haul - American Trucking Companies

In the early days, many trucking companies started out with one truck or even some horses, and a few tough folks kept hauling through the Great Depression and WWII. As roads improved, many of these companies became large operations with ample semi-trucks, trailers and places to haul.

This book is a concise history of the pioneers in trucking and how they grew their truck empires. From the east coast to the west coast, most of the companies started out very small regionally and with acquisitions and mergers became the big names in trucking hauling all over America.
Each company includes a history, maps of their truck lines at and a photo or more of their fleet or rigs they used an epochal point in their history.

Coca Cola: Its Vehicles in Photographs 1930-1969

Coca-Cola has been delivered to stores and soda fountains throughout the world in a variety of trucks and automobiles. Here is a collection of photographs of such vehicles specially selected from the archives of the Coca-Cola Co.

Gas & Oil Trucks

The history of gas and oil trucks parallels that of the car and the gas station. When the automobile first hit the dusty roads of America in the early 1900s, numerous oil companies emerged, building "filling stations" to cater to the motorist's ever-growing demands. Keeping those stations supplied with adequate amounts of fuel was the gas and oil truck's responsibility. Since that time, tank trucks have served as a vital link between the large refineries and small gas stations.

"Gas & Oil Trucks" is a fantastic photo collection of great gas and oil trucks from the past and present. Included here are Autocar, Diamond T, Reo, Mack, White, GMC, Ford, Dodge, and many others. Read how the first trucks - nothing more than simple chassis with round tanks attached - evolved into the complex, monstrous rolling rigs we see today.
Along the way, see the classic streamlined trucks of the 1930s, the military tankers used during World War II, and the specialty trucks of the 1950s and 1960s.

Author and truck historian Donald Wood chronicles the whole story of tank trucks working in gas stations, refineries, airports, and in military combat. Packed-with more than 400 black and white photographs, drawings, and design specifications, "Gas & Oil Trucks" is a must for truck enthusiasts and petroliana collectors.

Logging Trucks 1915-1970

Logging is one of the most challenging assignments expected of trucks and their drivers, as they routinely transport heavy loads under rigorous conditions.
From the trucks that replaced oxen or horse-drawn wagons to self-loading tractor trailer rigs, here is an exciting collection of photos of hard-working, rugged logging trucks built on a variety of manufacturers' chassis.

Long out of print this classic we are now able to bring it back in a very limited print run.

New Car Carriers 1910-1998

A photographic history of the new car carrier from the beginning when flatbed trucks and trailers first became an alternative to the railroad for carrying new cars.
These fascinating photographs take you through the introduction of double-decker trailers, the converted auto carriers hauling military vehicles and armaments during WWII, to the innovative piggybacks and triple-level auto racks that are used today.

Refuse Trucks

A pictorial review of the various types of refuse collections equipment that have developed since the adoption of motor trucks to this vital community service in the early 1900s.
Truck makes shown include: Autocar, Brockway, Federal, FWD, International, Mack, Walter and White. Factory and action shots clearly show many of the body and chassis features that distinguish these specialized vehicles.

Circus & Carnival Trucks 1923-2000

These are not your average trucks! The wide variety of traveling shows modified their trucks for many special uses. These shows used trucks as tractors, parade units, tent reels, animal cages, ride foundations and canvas reels.

This book illustrates the many truck manufacturers that were used and the many amusement organizations that used them. Large, detailed photographs include early, as well as recent, models, along with action shots. In-depth captions explain the use of each truck, including technical details such as the engine, make, model, etc. where available.
This is a unique book that both truck and circus/carnival enthusiasts will love.