Feature Truck
for Fall 2002
1950 GMC 905 Heavy-Duty Truck
by
Don Hays
The featured truck, in this issue, is the favorite in its owner’s collection. Howard Kirkland says that the 1950 GMC 9000 series has a 671 turbo after-cooled engine, which was donated by Detroit Diesel and Roger Penske. The engine developed 337 hp on the dynamometer. The truck has a 10 speed main and a 4- speed progressive, 8000 series auxiliary transmission. The differential is an R170.
The truck was further modified to meet the special needs of Kirkland. To improve the ride for pulling an RV trailer and for personal comfort, some leaf springs were removed. He installed tubeless Goodyear tires and kept the pres sure at 65 pounds. Air ride seats were installed and the whole truck was lowered. He also installed a Garrison power steering system and a concealed 110-volt genera tor. There are over 400 lights on the truck along with 8 different horns. The horns go from the standard air horn, an ooga horn, a horn from a train, and the best of all, an air-horn that plays La Cucaracha. Everything that could be plated was either chromed or gold plated.
Kirkland is partial to this truck because, he once owned fifteen of them in his water truck company, based in Long Beach, CA. Kirkland Water Trucks started out with 5 ton GI 6X6s. He soon replaced the big Conti nental engines with 220 Cummins. He felt the Cummins did not do the job for him, so he replaced them with the GMC 671 engine. As time went by, he was operating over one hundred 671 engines in the water truck fleet. His fleet ex panded to include low bed equip ment, heavy construction equipment and large front-end loaders.
To write about this 1950 GMC, without mention ing its owner, is impossible. The GMC, named “Old Yeller,” has been pampered, modified, glorified and proudly exhibited in forty-six states by its owner, Howard Kirkland. While the truck sports perfection in its operation and chrome decorations, Kirkland sports the aura of a most unforgettable character.
Old Yeller was originally purchased as a parts truck, from a Mack dealership in Long Beach, California. To sweeten the deal, the truck came with new tires and aluminum wheels. The project to restore the truck was put on hold for about 20 years. It was 1974 when the restoration project got started at the Kirkland Ranch, near Plymouth, CA. The frame was lengthened and a flatbed installed, for hauling hay. The hay hauling plan fell through, when Kirkland found out about the American Truck Historical Society.
The ATHS national convention was held in Sacramento, in 1983. Kirkland just happened to see the assemblage of old trucks and had to see what it was all about. He immediately made friends with Burt Prouty and Walt Simonds, two active organizers for the local ATHS chapter. From that point on, Kirkland must have attended every national convention and truck show he heard about. His travels took him a total of 95,000 miles, to all but four states. His wife Kay and his pet gorilla Koko always accompanied him. Koko, of course, was just a stuffed animal and not real as first believed.
A player piano was mounted on the bed of his 1933-ton and a half Ford flat bed. He added bows and a cover on the Ford to protect the piano and sound system. The Ford was hauled across the coun try on the bed of “Old Yeller.” Crowds would gather to hear Kirkland play and sing. On two occasions he sang the Lords Prayer at the ATHS National Convention dinner meeting.
You may have guessed by now, that the name “Old Yeller” comes from the bright yellow paint job. The brightness of Old Yeller is dimmed beside the character of Howard Kirkland. His laid-back style and pleasant smile enhance his ability to tell a good story. He always has a hug for the ladies and a pleasant greeting for the guys. Everyone who has met Kirkland will tell you that he is definitely an unforgettable character.
Kirkland is a Past President of the ATHS Central California Chapter and provides the location for the chapter’s spring truck show. Kirkland also serves as a member of the Hays Antique Truck Museum Board of Directors.
