Western Star Trucks ?

[440]

Since moving to Australia and seeing a lot of Western Star trucks I decided to look them up. I love the conventional styling and ruggedness about them, especially with the split rims which were outlawed in the US. I told my wife we never had Western Star, but to my surprise they are American. They were sold off to Australia, then back to the USA again.

I can't recall ever seeing a Western Star truck on the roadways of the USA.

[LaOtto70Charger]

They used to be around.  I think they were supposed to be a high end hand built truck.  Now part of Daimler North America.

[ws23rt]

I am not one that knows much about truck manufacturing. What I do know is their was/is a Freightliner assembly plant in Portland Or.
They also make (or used to) Western Star trucks. They also were (or used to be owned by Mercedes Benz). --Dodge was also run by MB for awhile.
I suspect that the name "Western Star" is like many names these days. It may retain some of it's past but that has little value moving forward with new leadership in the current company that pushes forward --who ever that might be?
The new owners of any company acquired ---will use the name of the absorbed companies as far as they can see benefit.  

[JB400]

My uncle drove one till he wore it out.  He called the Twinkle star.

[stripedelete]

Chrysler bought them and Frieghtliner right before they hoodwinked the Germans.

They are considered the top of the line and I believe carry the price tag to prove it.  So there are fewer on the road.  However, I have to defer to other DC members with real expertise.

It's funny you mentioned it though.  I had to fuel with the big boys last night.  I was right next to a WS with a young guy behind the wheel.  I thought to myself, "must be the bosses son".

[Scaregrabber]

They were originally built in my town, Kelowna B.C. CANADA. At that time they were very good trucks and you could order anything you wanted in them. Then Freightliner bought the name and moved assembly to Portland where quality vanished, they pretty much became another crappy Freightshaker with a different name on them and no quality. I haven't driven one for a few years but the last few I drove were pretty poorly built and although they weren't as awkward as a Freightliner they did have rattles and parts falling off like a Freightliner.

Sheldon

[TruckDriver]

They are still around and going very strong right now. Lot of construction companies are buying them up like crazy right now because Peterbilt and Kenworth's new styling is butt ugly. That and they have the best warranty right now I guess.

The top 2 photos, are of my friends 2015 Western Star. Yes, it is a hard working truck, but it is also a show truck.

[440]

Out here they seem pretty tough, especially working in some of the harshest conditions.

[rt green]

our international dealer sells them. they are all over up here. nice trucks.

[oldgold69]

here in wisonsin  they're  selling like hot cakes   cheap price compared to other truck makers  only drawback is they are heavy

[marshallfry01]

Long nose Peterbilts look better 

[TruckDriver]

Long nose Peterbilts look better 

I been a life long Peterbilt fan, but to me, the only good looking Pete's left now are the 389, and the 384's & 386's. I do not like the wide cab style at all. I also prefer driving a narrow cab truck. Easier to see what is outside the passenger door.

[TruckDriver]

Long nose Peterbilts look better 

I been a life long Peterbilt fan, but to me, the only good looking Pete's left now are the 389, and the 384's & 386's. I do not like the wide cab style at all. I also prefer driving a narrow cab truck. Easier to see what is outside the passenger door. The only truck make I have not yet drove is a Western Star. I want to once yet. Although, I think the 1980's version of the Western Star was the sexiest made.

[rt green]

was 1995 the last year for cabovers?

[440]

When were split rims banned in the US?  I've looked and can't find literature stating they are illegal to use. Some say only illegal on dteerers while others state completely illegal.

We still use them here on steerers, drive wheels and trailers.

[TruckDriver]

When were split rims banned in the US?  I've looked and can't find literature stating they are illegal to use. Some say only illegal on dteerers while others state completely illegal.

We still use them here on steerers, drive wheels and trailers.

I think they were just made illegal to make, not keep using. Yes, they were not the safest wheels, but they are still widely used.

[440]

Must be a California thing. Having been raised in the California Bay Area they would have been the first to stop/refuse using them.

[marshallfry01]

Long nose Peterbilts look better 

I been a life long Peterbilt fan, but to me, the only good looking Pete's left now are the 389, and the 384's & 386's. I do not like the wide cab style at all. I also prefer driving a narrow cab truck. Easier to see what is outside the passenger door. The only truck make I have not yet drove is a Western Star. I want to once yet. Although, I think the 1980's version of the Western Star was the sexiest made.

I agree with you. I haul logs on a 96 western star. I love that body style. The new bubble cab style that western star has out now is butt ass ugly

[TruckDriver]

Still nice looking trucks though. I would not turn down a job driving one.