When I was in second grade, my grandpa Wike took me to Florida on a long haul. He drove an old C series Ford sleeper cab single axle straight truck with a wooden stake body and gasoline powered engine. I remember riding in that old truck and it was hot! When we got to Florida, we waited all day to get loaded with watermelons that were hand loaded. That very trip got me hooked on trucks.

After that, I would ride with my great uncle, Alfred Chrysel, on trips. He drove a red R-700 Western Mack for Cashion Oil Company out of Wilksboro, NC. This was in the early 1970's when it was the first "big rig" I had ridden in. I would ride all day delivering gasoline to Union 76 stores.

Owning my own business was something that I knew I really wanted. As soon as I turned eighteen, I got a job performing dock work at Spartan Express in Conover, NC to save for my first truck. That 1980 GMC Astro did not last long, as I ran this truck over the road and sold it. Back to work I went! In 1990, after working for several years, I bought a 1981 Peterbilt 362 which was the start of my trucking company. Today, BPW Transport consists of late model Peterbilts and trailers dropped in several states to haul rush load freight.

 
My interest in old trucks has allowed me to meet hundreds of truck enthusiasts all over the world. I now own many old Mack trucks, as well as numerous other trucks of different makes and models. One of my most interesting trucks is from England, a 1980 Scammell Crusader with a Rolls Royce diesel engine. I recently finished restoring this one which may very well be the only one in the US.

When I am not working with trucks, I enjoy riding motorcycles, traveling, spending time with my wife, Lori, and being around family and friends. I collect Zippo lighters and antique signs when I am not busy collecting, running, and restoring  trucks.

All that hard work paid off!

              Convoy in the Cat Square    Christmas Parade.

At Cherokee Survivors Rally in the Fall.

Lori on her new bike.

Our Wedding Limo awaits us...

The Gang who helped with the Joey's surprise reveal.

 

Niagara Falls

     A visit to Pickett Custom Trucks

 

Brad P. Wike                                           719 Teague Town Road                Taylorsville, NC 28681                           Phone   828.495.4980                            Email    bradbpw@yahoo.com