1955 Kenworth 523 Bullnose

Here's a video I made for my buddy Mr David since he is selling the truck. This is the final run in the backwoods of Louisiana before the truck gets picked up. He still has a knack for the two sticks even after his recent brain surgery a little over 5 months ago.

[@davidmcneill1128]

Thanks to everyone who has watched, enjoyed and commented on this video. Alex is my "Outlaw-in Training" we spend not nearly enough time playing with the old iron. I didn't know he was going to post this on youtube, but it has really made me proud of him and his dedication to trucks. I made my debut in the left seat at 14 years old, then my dad was sleeping behind me at the age of 15, in a L-190 International pulling a flatbed on a narrow 2-lane highway. I'm only 71 years old now, I had to sell the KW due to a stroke and a brain tumor. Now we are building a 1950 International LD-405 like the yellow one seen in the video. (that one went to Florida). The 50 has a Big-Cam I Cummins, 7&4. Hopefully it will be going soon, we will make a video!Keep on loving old trucks!David McNeill

[@gregjude2198]

Nothing but respect for you and your skill at the wheel, sir. Keep on truckin'...

[@williamlapene3577]

Is the aux box reversed...looks like it. Use to drive a W-900 with 318 and a 4X4 with the aux box reversed....Very fast down hill

[@tjtrent2351]

Thank You!

[@camerongallant1125]

My prayers are with you i hope you recovered from the stroke and cancer

[@AlcornDynamics]

David McNeill, I was brought in and taught by "The Boogie Woogie Man" of the good time gang here in east Texas.. I'm feeling the years, but yet I miss the real trucks. I would love to see what is in your collection of trucks.

[@The_Bandit_750]

bet that ol truck put all his kids thru college and bought him a house...that's a real working man

[@mechanicinjuries6181]

Nic Parker I don’t get it dad

[@ronaldhokanson9138]

Mechanic Injurie0

[@scottprendergast2680]

Man-is it me or does old school have that cummins purring?

[@pointingdog7235]

This man is good at driving this tractor

[@RYMK887]

Great man "! A working man

[@rhymeandreasoning]

My dad was a trucker, we never got along, the dude scared the hell out of me, and he was not too fond of me, but one summer during my summer break and part of the fall, he needed some extra help, so he put me to work and taking me with him on his wood/log hauling trips.4:30 am - 6 or so every evening, 5 days a week, we never bonded, and that fall I moved out ...but my dad drove truck all through my youth and some into my adulthood, spring summer fall and the hell of those freezing cold Canadian winters. I realized how hard he worked and how lonely it got for him out on the road, before he took me along with him, he had a huge stuffed animal , and put it in the passenger seat and that was his company. The man worked long hard hours to put a roof over our heads, food on the table and clothes on the back. The older I get the more I reflect and think back to that time with dad in the truck, and the love and respect I now have for him and all he did.

[@tomwest1741]

Awsome this driver is a pro I am 77 yrs young back in the 60s I drove twin stick B model Mack

[@luckyalexander8881]

My dad drove for over 40 yrs.From before WWII to 87.Met my mom at. The Truck Stop in my home town.Lots of family drove or drive.3 uncle's 2 cousins and my dads cousin.I have drove myself.Box trucks mostly.Rode summers with him .Food grade tankers and Refrigerated.one time his truck was being serviced so he had to take one of the shuttle trucks .A old long nose Mack shifted like that.

[@diamonddog257]

Tell him to get a real job : ... I had the same relationship w/ my dad....... He was a super-tuff in the Alberta oil patch.... Truck driving is a yahoo thing ....

[@rcolston624]

sounds alot like my life!!!! im 36 now and he turned 66 yesterday and now were best friends!!! he puuled the 76 kw out and i think its time for me to drive for him!!! we waisted alot of time ....and now we dont have much left!!!

[@deborahchesser7375]

rhymeandreasoning sometimes it’s hard for a tuff man to show emotions but he loved you trust me, he worked his ass off so he did the best he could I’d say

[@ehcatsfaneric2211]

reminds me of my DAD...a truck driver...not just a guy driving a truck like most..these are special men

[@ptrans100]

A real Trucker! That old Bullnose made him feel like a young man again one more time.

[@milwaukeegregg]

This guy hits every shift gentle as a hot knife thru butter!

[@ericnyamu9981]

You mean a warm knife through butter 😂😂

[@milwaukeegregg]

@@ericnyamu9981 yeh thats it.....

[@ccclc6159]

i hate seeing drivers so proud of their twin stick trucks grinding every gear, double clutching complicates shifting but a good twin stick driver can double clutch and hardly ever grind a gear

[@lucassaueressig1411]

muscle memory

[@sandasturner9529]

How it was meant to be driven

[@Fahrvergnugen]

When Mr. David is flirting with his missus before rolling out!

[@airmike1271]

Only heard a gear grind once and that was when going into reverse. Thank you, for taking us for a test drive. My dad would have liked this video too. My dad passed on this last March and for some reason, you remind me of my dad...thank you.

[@Flatbedkw]

I absolutely love the sound of that Cummins. Watching him drive is a treat.

[@bassturkey]

Mr. David seemed like a man a boy could look up to. God bless!

[@dirkdiggler2507]

Yep.

[@Cafferssss]

Nice surname. Not many of us about anymore.

[@gravytrain416]

What a great tribute to a REAL trucker. Those were the trucks and the truckers that kept this country great. Thank you so much for that. I enjoyed every minute of it.

[@marksanchez7585]

Damm grandpa lives deep in the woods 🤠👍🏽

[@lesschopeck9656]

Watching this man drive this truck has been an honor,,,,,,,,,,,,Watching him own this truck, no clutch shifting and seeing how he knows this truck better than he knows the back of his hand is a pleasure,, TY for the vid

[@SteveCarras]

I’d start out if I ever tried double clutching then single clutch then floating

[@johnjadams2308]

Mad respect for a true gear gammer he makes me really miss my father

[@brothersalvarado7682]

Me too

[@jaysanti3308]

me three. God Bless all the truckers. Keep that Hammer down.

[@panzerfaust5119]

2 stick separates truckers from housewives.I love it.Cool ole dude in a cool ole rig

[@captainmorgan1107]

You got that right! Twin sticking is an art and only about 2% of todays truckers could pull it off.

[@hdtowman]

Not to mention to play in the cabover version. The regular twin stick is challenging enough

[@randomdude9269]

@@captainmorgan1107 yep. In america even driving a regular stick (in cars) is rare.

[@dennisternent2974]

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW HE FELT ON THIS FAREWELL RUN. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY KENWORTH W900 FOR ALMOST 39 YEARS NOW. I WOULD JUST HATE TO GIVE HER UP. WHEN SHE'S GONE, IT WOULD BE LIKE LOSING A CHILD. I HAVE SPENT HALF MY LIFE IN MY OLD GIRL, AND WE HAVE BEEN ALL OVER NORTH AMERICA WINTER AND SUMMER. GOING TO NEED A BIG HOLE WHEN I DIE SO SHE CAN BURIED THERE WITH ME.

[@samcable647]

dennis ternent I respect you, you are one of the last few true breed of truck drivers and not just a damn steering wheel holder.

[@TheAussieStig30]

dennis ternent she's lasted longer than most marriages, fella.

[@grantweymouth7022]

Good on you Dennis I wish i could say the same in my career..... respect mate!

[@bulanbaby]

Maybe you can make a video with your trucks. We would love to see you.

[@adriantomlin1362]

Godspeed to you buddy. Your a dying breed. There idiots in the road nowadays only wish they were professionals truck drivers!!!

[@iamrichrocker]

You can see..sense..the affection Mr.David has for His old Girl..i can imagine what he was thinking..the memories he sifted thru as he drove Her one last time..great video..and a message there for us all..Time waits for no one...

[@kevinobrien4605]

Am I the only one who thinks his reverse shifting was even tighter than his forward shifts. That was smooth as hell.

[@alwilkes4733]

The last of a dying breed the American Trucker awesome video.

[@danfarris135]

Reminds me of my dad. He could drive like this,smoke cigarettes,drink coffee and talk on the CB all at the same time. Sure do miss him

[@erikbunty2016]

Who says a man can't multi-task, right?

[@jmaldonado1546]

"Separates the truck drivers from the house wifes ! " Thanks guys I really enjoyed this. Pure fun.

[@GAZIS4]

respect to the gentleman who respects his truck!! old school master driver!!

[@westrotter7847]

Such a great video..reminds me of the generation before that i learned everything i know about heavy equip and trucks...and my Dad. Gods speed and God Bless.

[@wadewilson2847]

can't help but smile watching this good ole boy hammering down reminds me of back in the good ole days.

[@BigButtocks967]

That’s a beautiful truck and that old dudes got them gear-changes perfected down to a fine art.

[@argylegirl9953]

I loved this- I will always remember traveling down old Hwy 99 before the interstates in my dad's KW Bullnose with the Cummins pulling a Brown trailer. My mom & I would ride with him once or twice during the summer for his weekly run from Seattle to Los Angeles hauling shingles & shakes. Like Mr. David said, no power steering, no air conditioning, and a great loud sounding engine. I sure was a lucky little girl. I used to sit on the cover between the seats and check out the road. Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@classictruckpete7809]

Now that's a real trucker. My respect to people like this man. Thank you for this awesome video. God bless you Mr David.👍🙏🚚🚛🇺🇸

[@ronaldgreen5292]

Beautiful!! That old man is a boss!!! Driving that old truck, like it was brand new!

[@markredden311]

Wow, what an amazing video. Man said "I may be old but I ain't dead, not yet. I still got it."

[@redfredrickson9455]

This guy has all my Respect ! I would like to ride with him all day , Very few can drive like this anymore ! This is what I like to think of when I think of a Truck Driver ! Keep up the good work

[@MrLuvtheUSA]

Love the spirit in these old tuckers! ''separates the MEN from the housewives'' It's really awesome to see these men of yesterday and there marvelous, beautiful trucks that were the backbone of America. Thanks for sharing

[@HummelHamster]

What an awesome older gentleman!

[@1985kenworth1]

i cannot get enough of this video..love his words..separates the truck drivers from the house wives..lol

[@rustyed1]

Everything in and about this historic event is priceless,and i am honored to just watch it,and i thank you.

[@kevs56chev]

Coolest vid I've seen in a long time. Bless David McNeil, there aren't enough men in the world like him

[@justtim9767]

Very nice, love to see the old guy (like me ) do his stuff.

[@grantbrooks9489]

Awesome great ole school trucker. Floats them gear changes without the clutch beautifully.

[@joeyadams6395]

now this is a driver

[@slickmuck4312]

Grant Brooks I agree he shifts it smoother than I do my 18 spd eaton Respect. I’d like to try it someday

[@countrytimeskyredwoodsitte702]

one hell of a rig,one hell of a trucker

[@chrisoconnell532]

Guaranteed to not fall asleep T the wheel

[@robleonard1970]

That was back in the day when men were driving trucks!!!

[@billbrogdon4261]

My first memory of my dad driving was going to a cubing plant in Sacramento or Stockton don’t remember which now. It was a cab over Freightliner I think but was a twin stick. That was the most amazing thing I had ever seen. Watching him go through the gears, both hands shifting and his arm going through the steering wheel at the right moment, listening to the Jake slowing us down. Thank you for this memory.

[@kenmcfarland4575]

Loved the sound of that engine and the skill of that man, awesome !

[@AsTheWheelsTurn]

awesome video I enjoyed it. And man he can shift,hit every gear as smooth as could be, I dont think the average person knows what kind of skill he just demonstrated.

[@shitbox7413]

AsTheWheelsTurn, God only knows how many years of experience in that truck!

[@briangalindo8513]

AsTheWheelsTurn yo

[@sawz5]

I had a '70 cabover KW with the same transmission setup, it was a joy to drive and shift.

[@jimjam8149]

Rodney Leonard is one stick high the other low range??

[@juliussd5901]

I think one stick contains the main gears, and the other one is called auxiliary transmission. Basically you have four different gear ratios for each main gear, a 16-speed.

[@TheWizardofOblivion]

It really is an amazing thing to sit and watch a man and his machine come together. Beit a thrasher, locomotive, or rocket ship... when it flows like water, its a form of art!

[@ArnieReith]

Great video of a classic truck and a genuine old-time gear jammer.

[@jtigki]

Thank you so much for the video, I remember when my Father did that brought back some memories! My Father is not here anymore but I really enjoy the video!!

[@guillermoleal1487]

is this guy a BAD ASS or what, he shift into 4th gear in reverse. GOD Bless Mr. David and all those truckers out there giving out the best, not only for their Family, but for all the community. Thank you.

[@davehelmboldt6790]

You can tell just by the way he handled that truck, he put a lot of miles behind the wheel of a big rig...almost like he's one with the truck. Driving it I'd kinda like a bicycle I guess; ya just never forget.

[@chifloid]

Nice, I remember when an old man thought me to drive a 1959 cab over with two sticks. His words (son if you learn to drive this truck!!!! You can drive any truck in the world) thanks to his teachings that is true. I was 12 at the time and still driving modern truck. Miss those good old days.

[@garyallen7868]

Reminds of my Dad when I was 8 sitting in the cab, wonderful memories.

[@sikorik9964]

that's exactly what I thought of when I saw this old man driving this truck my dad. he's about to turn 80 and he can still drive his ass off!

[@derekstocker6661]

So well driven and made it look so easy, well done sir.

[@mikeadrover5173]

My respect goes out to this film. I raise a cold beer-up high and tip my hat to Mr.David! He and his kind built this great country of ours, we must not-“forget”, and endeavor to walk with his kind. As always, thanks’ for taking the time to make this video!

[@jamesbogacki4453]

My friend was telling me how they shifted in the day .Finally got to see someone doing it .Thanks

[@lioneljones8502]

Makes me miss my dad. I used to ride with him during the summer. I have fond memories of him and those days

[@jimaulander6294]

A real Pro Truck driver.I watch this at least 5 times in week.I like that his shifting and also shifting backwards.Thank's for this great video.

[@ericdavidbenari8636]

07:14 holy smokes, the man can drive!!! Wow, this Ol' Timer got serious skills! Fantastic classic rig too!

[@blaneycrabbe3390]

That was absolutely Smashing. Gotta love those 4X4 Transmisions ! ! !

[@Bios1943]

Lots of respect for Mr David ! I enjoyed the video very much.

[@scottprendergast3188]

wow..he's sho'nuff an ol' cowhand ..g'night Mr. David, suh wherever you are right now...

[@gregoryjackson3462]

Best shifting I've seen in a long time. 44yrs old first saw my uncle in his working the years the same way. Thanks for this video sir. Brings back memories.

[@neversurrender5976]

Mr. McNeil, Sir thank you for sharing your story and the Grand Old Lady, bout cut a tear. Praying and pulling for ya. My pa drove over 3 million miles, you two are cut from the same cloth. My the Almighty Bless you and your family sir. ps Alex is good Man to show America what a great KW drove. Many Thanks to you both.

[@ianmcculloch8531]

Wonderful to be up in that cabin with a smooth operator at the wheel.

[@mikesai8561]

Bless his heart, Mr David definitely still got the skills.

[@briancaldwell1798]

Men like this is what built America 🇺🇸. I also drive a truck for a living and respect these guys no air conditioning ,no air ride suspension, no air ride cab and no time at home! God bless.

[@user-ww9ek8up4v]

انه الصبر والكفاح والوصول الى الهدف

[@bigdaddysshop8180]

First truck I drove had no A/C, ,NO P/S , NO SLEEPER.

[@jevrolet]

Sounds SO good! Quintessential diesel truck going up through the gears.

[@frankwhittemore9149]

thank you for sharing. very cool. tell Mr David he one hell of a trucker, 10-4

[@pmf598]

Brilliant . . . . . . "seperates the truck drivers from the housewives . . . . " . . . . :) .

[@Rebel9668]

Never drove a big truck but have hand cranked an old John Deere A model many times and spent all day on it. I bet there aren't many housewives that could hand crank one of those either, lol.

[@marksmith1916]

Stupid remarks...everyone is good at their job.

[@victormottern3680]

Is it up,for sale,,and does the 5th wheel move

[@24hellopeople]

As a new incomer I sure admire this old man. Keep on trucking

[@kennethhall5070]

Thank you David, I'm grateful for you taking me back in time along with a lot of other ole Truckers💪🇺🇸🕊️

[@kellybyrd9772]

That's a real truck driver!! My hat's off to you sir. Awesome video of experience and skills

[@TeriCaboverKidd]

awesome. hes still got it..nice to see a veteran driver and his good ole truck..love it.

[@graysen5532]

my grandfather r.i.p. had the old GMC brigadier loved being beside him for those runs wish I could bring those days back.

[@miguelangelgarcia4038]

amazing, I had the fortune to operate that transmission, in the year 1992, when I started driving, I am Mexican and my passion is trucks; Thanks for sharing this video.

[@laserbeam002]

"Seperates the truck drivers from the house wives"....HAHAHA....what a great line. Got to remember that one. Thank you for posting

[@joshua6200]

Looks like he maybe had a stroke, but shifts like a master! Nice video!

[@rodneyperry6942]

when it gets in your blood, it becomes second nature. ya don't even think about it, ya just do it. he's been around the block a few times in THAT machine....you can tell by how he handles it effortlessly. even after his brain surgery and obvious effect....not stopping him, God bless him. Am sure he's sorry to see it go, but am glad that he at least got a video, real Irving him on his last ride.

[@demontwashington5388]

+rodney perry It's like playing a musical instrument. Matching the revs to the gears by listening to the pitch of the engine. This guy's a virtuoso. Not his first time behind the wheel, to say the very least.

[@rodneyperry6942]

Demont Washington I hear ya. Only been doing it since 93...long after HE started

[@anthony342]

he's a pro .. !!

[@PastelMangoRoseh]

joshua6200 I was gonna say that

[@Martmns]

Wonderful video! Mr.David is an amazing man and an amazing driver.

[@shanefulner]

Absolute thing of beauty watching and old timer drive a rig so natural with out thought shifting like its as easy as breathing

[@richardthompson2606]

Lost art. My first truck 1969 Ken with a 4 and 3. Will never forget it. I salute you. Guys like you are unsung heros who helped build America.

[@jimchaudrue7675]

Such an awesome video! That young man can toss those sticks. That old gal just hummin along. Thanks for taking the time to make it and share it!

[@danielduncan4420]

A truck driver at one time had to have skill and finesse... Mr David is most certainly part of the Ol' school driver's that possessed both of these qualities... 😎🏆👍

[@Rimrock300]

1955, still can do the job) What an incredible sound out of this truck! I have no count of how many times I've been listening)

[@bentrim1231]

that driver there folks is the real dael. these men were my heroes as a kid and now after 20 years of driving otr they are my heroes more than ever--last of the real truckers

[@deborahchesser7375]

We love you Mr David and hope you are doing well, I’d ride all day with ya buddy.

[@paulfisher6142]

What a driver. I miss the old days. .. . . . It's been 3 years since I've run an old Sam Tanksley 352 Pete doing OTR . . . manual steering & windows, single bunk. Drove it off & on for an outfit in Cincinnati from 1987 until 1997. . . then bought it in March 2007. Still have it . ... .

[@vic40171]

God bless the old timers! What an amazing and hard working generation. Salute!

[@cmdarb141]

That man just changing gears like a boss!

[@abaneserpradeepchandraraj9928]

cmdarb141 Absolutely

[@bsagreg]

Definitely a mans truck, i would bet that 90% of all the truckers on the road today could not drive this baby I love when Mr David puts his arm through the wheel to do the two handed shift

[@tazztower44]

i bet 90 percent of todays truckers could not drive a single stick.

[@bsagreg]

You are right. I think that at least 50% of todays truckers cant even drive a TRUCK

[@tazztower44]

i know that up here in canada,there is more people from the middle east driving truck and the sticks are dying out for automatics

[@redtra236]

Uh how do you drive a semi without being able to drive a single stick truck? Aren't almost all of them like that?

[@DesolationofJake]

Garrett - alot of companies in the states are going to automatics for fuel mileage and the simple fact rookies keep destroying transmissions. I wasnt perfect at it and not now but i can drive a 10 speed no problem. In an auto now since im with a great smaller company that switched to auto and got rid of my manual they started me out with.

[@robertmorrice2282]

Great video I remember my dad teaching me to change gears without using the clutch David is a master

[@user-rp5gy9ux6d]

Какой приятный звук двигателя, напоминает ЯМЗ, но со своим оттенком. Спасибо за видео и за возможность от части прокатиться с вами.

[@user-su6iz9uk8q]

мне понравилась какая то дружеская, семейная атмосфера видео и все эти воспоминания и чувства что возникают у людей. Все эти истории людей очень ценны и трогательны. С самого начала видео я понял что здесь нечто большее чем просто обзор грузовика. потом прочитал описание и убедился что это действительно так. тут и грусть и воспоминания, тут все. и некоторые истории в комментариях тоже очень порадовали. Это воспоминания о тех временах когда Америка была Америкой с Библией в руках а не тем дерьмом во что она превратилась сейчас.

[@steelwheels327]

Your buddy loved that truck !! Shes been a good old gal !!! Well hopefully whoever bought it will take care of it very well .

[@northstar1950]

A pleasure to watch and listen to, that engine sounds sweet.

[@linnamuuf]

My hats off! These are the guys that bring us our commodities. Our food, our blankets to sleep in, our medicines...drinking water. Everything is brought by truck drivers! My deepest respect for you, haulers!

[@alcopower5710]

This man and machine was made for one another. Thoroughly enjoyed watching this gentleman show us how to master the gearchange

[@Rozgreez562]

I remember watching smokey and the bandit, and Convoy, and enjoyed seeing that grunt power of diesel, heavy American Steel trucks rolling down the highway. Seeing your buddy Mr. David reminds me of the classic times of Truckin'. Thank you to yourself and Mr. David.

[@gzwbyc]

Great Vid. Love seeing the old classics in the hands of a true professional.

[@7892rl]

I drove a 5 and 4 with a Detroit years ago. I thought I was pretty good at shifting "til I saw this guy ! Smooth as glass, nice to see.

[@Beun007]

This nice piece of hardware should be in a museum...

[@jonathanstancil8544]

Should be owned and enjoyed and driven and maybe even worked a little to show as many people as possible our history.

[@weejohnbb]

Jonathan Stancil I would love to see something like that on the road.

[@davidmcneill1128]

I pulled a "Chicken Wagon" with it for about a month in 2005, I don't like "chicken truckin" I pull flatbeds.

[@HuaweiY-nd2ti]

Beun007 napita

[@HuaweiY-nd2ti]

napitamaladandut

[@tub771]

My dad told me about driving a twin stick and having to put one arm through the wheel to keep her steady. Great video!

[@ridingwithdanny7953]

Same

[@weejohnbb]

What a pleasure to watch this man drive his truck, it's like an art form. Wonder how many real truck drivers are still out there driving like this?

[@elsey1976]

Love watching the master at work!

[@saintsarecoming13]

I'm a rig mechanic and I can't drive half as good with one stick as Mr. David can with 2. That's a real driver, I can only ever dream of being that good.

[@paulthescandinavian4992]

Long Live American made Trucks! , they were and are best world wide,Superb.

[@JazzyJasTruckingzz]

Pablo The Scandinavian american trucks are thhheeeeeee bessstt bro

[@scottprendergast3188]

Jazzy jas yes Mack bulldog and "I ROLL" Volvo.. correct Mr pablo there's one.whonis lehmgendary tho..constantly overlooked.. INTERNATIONAL BLACK DIAMOND.a pedigree that goes back to logging days of the early '20's...was part owner of D.A.F. Holland a bit back...developed the paystar with them! man it was a tough looking son of a bitch all steel with much diamond plate I.H. DT466 Engine is the finest diesel for its class/size in the world...spoken of in hushed whispers at the black diamond assembly plant...it is referred to as: "The Legend"

[@paulthescandinavian4992]

I love Diamond T Trucks believe there aren't many nowadys in operation unless those rare ones found in gravel haul/dump truck

[@scalpelo9247]

Paul The Scandinavian are you sure you are scandinavian? Peterbilt better than SCANIA? Are you kidding?

[@rulingmoss5599]

+tOY BOy You'd be surprised just how long some of these trucks can last.