DRIVERS IN THE GOLDEN AGE OF TRUCKING (Season 3)

A Phantom Lane video featuring vintage photos curated and colorized by Thor Norvegian. Phantom Lane takes you on a nostalgic ride into the golden age of over-the-road trucking to remember the long-forgotten phantoms of the fast lane. Enjoy the view!
Submissions welcome via Phantom Lane Facebook Group: / phantomlane

[@myexpressways4106]

Seeing these drivers reminds me of how I longed to be one of the "Knights of the Road" when I was a boy in the 1950s. These guys represented what it meant to be a "real man" to me. After nearly 75 years of living, I hope I have lived up to the standards they set for being the truck driver I was over the course of 50 years with a CDL. Every time I see your videos I become that boy standing alongside Highway 21 watching those big trucks roll by. Thanks Thor.

[@williamwatt6334]

I grew up in the 80s rolling with my old man in them cabovers. Now iam out here and man it's changed and not for the better.

[@bobchristopher5842]

This is the best Phantom video yet. Great background music. What kind of tractor with the ABF logo? Strange. Big tires, bed down above cabs, friendly waitresses, silver dollar mirrors on those oldies, super cool boots,drivers hats, uniforms, dads proudly showing their sons, brothers in arms. I'm in my 70s. The world hadn't gone to hell at this point, no wired out meth heads driving across the plains. All these days are gone forever. Thanks to all the drivers and teamsters who wrestled these old irondogs. They're gone now. Great video.

[@eddiehaskell5578]

Almost forgot those pre 70’s days when you needed a lic. Plate for every state you operated in 😅 . Tractors with 30 plates.😊

[@HeavyHaul51]

Eddie so many state plates and stickers they cover the whole front and doors of an old cab over.

[@patrickmcgoldrick8234]

Takes me back when I was a young kid,I really miss those old trucks and trailers.Thsnks for your help in taking me back.

[@dennisaldrich536]

I did not see any flip-flops or sweatpants that was refreshing

[@earlblackjackmartinjr5750]

I always used rand McNally commercial carrier atlas I doubt if 10 drivers can even read one. I never used a gps because they weren't even made. The dude reading the map looks like me with my stetson an nice clothes cause we weren't tattooed an dressed like a bunch of thugs an homeless people we took pride in what we did.

[@rce8540]

Thanks good old days. I didn’t go back that far. Started trucking in 1975

[@jimgriffin9924]

Some of these are from he late 70s - early 80s So hate to tell you but yeah, you so go back that far. So do I. O-O of a 1980 COE Kenworth.

[@johnchambers1380]

I dont miss the many license plates, bingo plates and cards for sure. I miss shooting the breeze with my fellow drivers over coffee. The 14 hour clock is part to blame for the demise of the grest american truck stop. Everything cuts into it. And we all looked professional. Even without the great A/C we're accustomed to now, we tried to put out an image of professionalism.

[@tristanwwsd]

Now they sell flip flops at the truck stops. And they wear track suits, or shorts and a stretched out white t-shirt with the last 3 days lunch smeared on it.

[@telcobilly]

​@@tristanwwsdtruth, or walking barefoot across the disgusting parking lot with SpongeBob pyjamas..

[@HeavyHaul51]

Drove OTR Heavy Haul and Flatbed. Did a little tanker work when I needed a break from changes and binders. Retired 2 years ago at age 70 after 50+ years. 40 as an O/O

[@shellyweiers121]

These videos keep getting better and better please keep them coming thor brings back great memories

[@paulbergen9114]

Great photos guys who worked on those narrow roads in all types of weather and really didn't have all the luxuries of power steering and even air ride seats

[@woohu2u2]

I was 50 years old before I got to drive a truck with power steering. The company I'd been with for years let me basically dress out a new tractor they were buying to replace my old one. I ended up with a Pete 379, Cat c-15, Eaton 15 speed, and a cab with air seats on both sides and all the bells and whistles. Less than 2 years later I was hit head-on by a wrong way drunk driver on I-5. Totalled the truck and almost killed me. I sure miss that rig. It was definitely the nicest one I ever drove.

[@middleclassretiree]

Glad you survived, you’re story reminded me of my own story I spent 35 yrs with the same company don’t get me wrong it was a great paying union job but I didn’t get a new truck of my own until my 35 year wife them and it coincided with becoming number one on the seniority list but with in a year I was ran over by a forklift from behind and ended up with a forced retirement and a busted up body oh how I miss climbing in a truck every morning , I was always reminded of that saying find something you love to do and you’ll never work a day in your life

[@woohu2u2]

@Middleclass Retiree I can walk with a cane now but it's painful and I'm definitely not doing any marathons. I've had 8 surgeries since then to fix stuff. I'd be pissed at the other driver but he died instantly in the accident that he caused. I guess karma was served.

[@dabigkahunacatfish2992]

Well you have 2 things to be thankful for, 1, you survived and 2, you atleast got almost 2 years out of that Peter car.

[@petersack5074]

Yes, 379's are very quiet, inside.

[@darylenyland3702]

Glad you made it!Saw a few go over, in Canyons! Pray you got a 2nd chance.

[@thewhiterabbitwonderland7138]

Excellent photo collection! Great to see the DRIVERS!

[@carolinawestern3875]

I grew up around trucking in the 70's and it was great. My dad was an independent O/O and ran from sc to ca and back. One of my favorite trucks of his was a 68 Mack F model with a V8. Its was a beautiful truck. He later sold it to Riethoffer Shows

[@scottycollins1829]

Glad 2 see pics in color!!!!😎🎯🇺🇸💎💯🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊🔊

[@the.porter.productions]

O-H-I-O Porter greetings 🇺🇸 These we’re some sweet looking old rigs! I’m very familiar with quite a few of these companies & trucks. I’m so proud to have seen quite a few of these trucks in real life & grew up around some of the older rigs. The only truck I’m not sure of is at 4:12. Is that a White or Diamond T? My dad had a moving van just like it, but it wasn’t well marked so that you could tell what brand of truck it was. They were quite unique looking trucks! Love your stuff! Thanks! I needed a pick-me-up today! Blessings! 🥰🤩✌️

[@douglee740]

I remember goin with my dad sometimes in his old Brockway.Two seats,two sticks and loud as hell. Good times

[@dabigkahunacatfish2992]

l always get a kick out of the pictures of the company drivers back in the day with the uniforms, tie's, and hat's. What a difference from today, a dirty T-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops. Back then you could spot a Professional Truck Driver at a glance, unlike today (are there any real truck drivers left? l wonder?).

[@torquetrain8963]

I'm a parcel delivery truck driver, and one of my favorite things to do when I get home is crack open a cold one and watch these great videos with my son. Thanks and God Bless!! And I love weird unusual trucks...those are my curvy sexy girls.

[@dennisllewellyn5837]

No flip flops no pajama pants and they probably all spoke English

[@glindabeaven6805]

There were also no 300 pound drivers .Guess it was because on no fast food restaurants in the truck stops

[@Rollercoaster555]

No it’s called Manual Labor load and unload your own wagon

[@arthurbrumagem3844]

A huge portion of those good old boys came home from WW2 and began driving. My dad did

[@MoparBob]

Excellent. Thanks Thor.

[@russvoight1167]

Back when trucks were trucks and truck drivers drove them

[@robingilmore1444]

Great memories man thank you

[@randiD123]

The stud-muffin @ 3:20.....!

[@jerrykinnin7941]

Im a second gen driver near 30yrs behind the wheel. I miss the comradery ran thru ohio alot coming out of Buffalo or Detroit. We use to build convoys and have a ball. Run all day run all night. Old us 35 between dayton and st Albans was a regular for me. Always at night. This was the late 90s it was still 2 lane all the way.

[@rogercyr1551]

Love this...always a great compilation.

[@petersack5074]

First truck, 14 seconds in: Early 70's KW 100 COE, i had a 74, 350 cummins, jake, 13 speed RTO....Very nice inside, Read diamond tufted. Lotsa miles on her. Now retired.....

[@matthewheinze1231]

Thank you for doing this!!!!!

[@danhuttinger5040]

Those men were the great gear jammers one of my buddies years ago used address me as jammer I was not great though but I got the job done and didn't tare equipment up.

[@likestallwomen]

Cool video

[@darylenyland3702]

I started in 76.. Was rough, had it ups and downs,Survived to 2013, accident free, Thank You JESUS..❤

[@paulausherman727]

Awesome ...........😊

[@daleyhanson5889]

I think them driver's hats tells how "Sporty they were by the bends and folds or how many buttons they had,, great style,,

[@HeavyHaul51]

All night 10,000 watt radio just for Truckers. Truck Stops that actually catered to the OTR Trucker. Truckers only seating, free coffee, phone right at the table. Juke box on the table and a smiling waitress with to much make-up and called everyone hon , honey or Sweety and always chewing gum.

[@chriscusick6890]

How about the older trucks that didn't even have enclosed cabs!?!? Imagine being exposed to the weather every day regardless of how cold or hot it may be?

[@jamesrice4072]

Reminds me of when we only had Rand McNally maps. No gps.

[@CEOkiller]

No flip flops or pajama pants here

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great pics!! 👍👍

[@princeofbrunswick]

Thanks for reminding me how old I am! Lol

[@middleclassretiree]

Its amazing how this industry has changed looking at these drivers I see hardworking men with barely a pound of fat amongst them it is a disgrace what comes tumbling down out of rigs today, to say they are obese and unkempt is a understatement, and what is with a CDL automatic license

[@richardsavoie1073]

I remember cabovers. I started driving at 6'1" height...I retired at 5'5...BUMP...BUMP. BUMP!!!???🤔😊🤭

[@telcobilly]

​@@richardsavoie1073incredible pounding your body took! I never drove a cabover, rode in one once..

[@richardsavoie1073]

@@telcobilly saw your reply to my height joke .. MANY years in cabovers...

[@richardsavoie1073]

Tumbling fat hitting the tarmac!...it is truly disgusting what our once proud profession has become...I am glad I retired when I did ..I rarely tell people what I did for so many years...they relate to what they see now.. oh well

[@middleclassretiree]

@@telcobilly - there’s a good reason freightiners had the nickname of freight shakers, back in the day we didn’t have air ride suspension for the most part tractors had biscuit suspension and that was exactly what it was a solid rubber biscuit that sat between the axles and the frame, if you had a tractor with leaf springs you were lucky

[@Biglug8888]

Great video, thanks.

[@THEKING-tt5rp]

not a one 450 plus pound driver

[@Cookiecrumbles93]

So cool!

[@robertpfuhl2679]

Pretty much jeans and work boots. WE HAD PRIDEin what we did! Now it’s flip flops and dirty clothes,no pride in their work or them selves,hate to sound mean but you can smell most of them before you see them

[@dirtydiesels3110]

I'm only 54 I weather jeans and boots. Lol know what u mean, I like the 18 speed and a real hood none of that aerodynamic stuff where I work definitely old school operation . 10-4

[@richardsavoie1073]

3 speed hats...chain drive wallets ..western union...bunkhouses...pump jockeys...inner tubes. ...cameraderie ..floor loads ..hunts point market...pay phones...2 and 3 logbooks ..#1 diesel...smoke as black as coal ..speedcop payoffs ..$20 under the dispatch window...20" sleepers...200 Cummins...etc. nowutimean?...

[@bruceschweigert6457]

You don't seem to read or answer any of your viewer comments,and I think Thor norvegan is an assumed name great videos just the same

[@robertfranki5477]

Enjoyed all the pictures but it was too long! Better off two separate group of pictures at two different times could be appreciated better

[@johnnyconrad4859]

Real truckers Not these wantabees now a days

[@brianglade848]

Back in the day where drivers took dumps in empty coffee cans

[@richardsavoie1073]

No shit

[@mikehiggins5233]

Very good 😁 👍

[@RayTuttle-of5qd]

Sadly the age of the professional driver is gone now you got a bunch of flip flop wearing can’t back up fresh out of some 15 minute driving school retreads clogging up the roads

[@tmacs311]

Thanks Thor 👍 great videos 👍

[@elmercoffmans4223]

Love these old pictures great videos 👍💪🇺🇸

[@mikemike5190]

Anyone else notice how those trucks lacked bent bumpers and dented fenders and how the drivers looked professional. Pathetic how trucking has gone down the toilet.

[@spinninggood]

What...no flip flops ????? lol