Jimmy Johnson's '66 Needle Nose w/Mercury

Working trucks are my favorite, and this beauty has been on the job for 55 years and counting. Jimmy's build is a beautiful blend of original & modernized; in fact, how many guys can say they have a level 1 CVSA sticker on a truck that outdates them? He's left plenty of period correct style & patina while freshening up the underpinnings of this Cummins-powered, two-stick Peterbilt 351.
Undoubtedly the crown jewel of the truck is the Mercury Sleeper he restored himself; in fact he does all his own fabrication using (in his words) "mostly used parts". Pay close attention and you'll see that his attention to detail and personal touches are everywhere on this truck. Though it might not be everyone's style, it certainly resonates with me and was my personal favorite at this year's Big Iron Classic '21 in Kasson, MN.
The machine reflects the personality of it's caretaker, and I really dig Jimmy's retro Montanna flatbedder style. It was truly a pleasure to meet him and hopefully our paths will cross again someday. Pease & grease
Filmed & edited by Philip West @flannel_philip on Instagram ‪@FlannelPhilip‬
Music used with permission by Epidemic Sound
#peterbilt #needlenose #mercurysleeper #bigironclassic #kasson

[@bush600r2]

Love it! Totally my type of truck too. Id sooner drive this old weapon down the road any day than any new plastic automatic thing of today. This old girl has soul🤘

[@monica93304]

If someone told me this is the only truck I could own and run it "as is" I'd be perfectly fine with that. What a gorgeous rig.

[@robertironside3166]

In Flannel we trust! lol Keep the vids coming FP. Love these trucks [the old needle nose Petes, Kenny's... Hayes trucks with their grizzly emblem, White trucks... yup!

[@putmeincoach8097]

The '66 Canadian Goose logging needle nose ! NICE !!

[@tonytusk5524]

This Pete is SICK!!

[@dieselwrench3621]

Really like the duck on the door

[@GTLees]

Man, I love that old iron. That ol' Pete could definitely do the job of bein' my dream truck. My two little granddaughters will gleefully tell anyone that their Papa's favourite colours are black and chrome and I do like 'em shiny but I can absolutely appreciate the character that's worn into that truck. That rig looks like it just rolled onto the left coast after a redeye flight from the right coast and could turn around to do it again if it had to. A spot faded here, a little worn there, it has that cool sweaty look like the hero of a movie might heh, heh. I dig it man, that is one way cool ride. I've also gotta mention the dude who owns 'er, he seems to be about as cool as a cucumber and his voice sounds like Jack Webb doin' Sgt. Joe Friday. I wouldn't mind runnin' down the road yakkin' to him and hearin' that iconic soundin' voice comin' back through my CB heh, heh. Keep that shiny side up folks.

[@DieselDoc78]

Way to represent Big Sky Country Jimmy! Love the old girl.

[@anthonionesbitt7721]

That right there is Old school Cool😎

[@markm0000]

That’s a cool build. It has just the right amount of old and new.

[@Jdigger4130]

Saw this truck at ATHS Yakima 5 6 years ago and took lots of pics. Had dual 6' straights and a killer woodpecker sticker on it and really had that "gyppo" logger/outlaw hauler vibe

[@Peterbilttrucker]

Both truck and driver are a step back in time. Absolutely love it. Should’ve shot this clip in technicolor and we wouldn’t have been able to tell the difference. Keep up the great work!

[@scrappyhustler7467]

Now that right there is preserving class while hauling ass👌👍!

[@mikehiggins5233]

Wow..nice 👌

[@jimschneider5193]

What a perfect ride! Now that's Trucken. Hammer down and catch ya on the flip flop. Wow, Sweet Pete.

[@Nicko30able]

Love the 13 & 4....great truck. I used to hate crawliing thru the wee sleeper window, but it would be worth it on this beast. Thanks for posting FP

[@usavtwin2003]

Nice needle nose. Came over from the Asian mai show. Really digging your style and channel. Keep up the great work. -Tom

[@stevepasha9668]

My buddy Jimmy ! Old school to the core, he let me take it for a spin once. Thanks Flannel Philip.

[@andrewnorris1514]

Nice Jimmy

[@cobraspottedwolf8791]

Jimmy!!!

[@53Peterbilt]

UFF!! That is one good lookin' truck!! Love it!!

[@robkittle1899]

Love the duck on the door!

[@rpm371]

I drove a similar '67 Pete, but it had a butterfly hood, 8V71 Detroit and a 13 speed. Hauled many a container over the Houston Ship Channel Bridge.

[@carlmccoy5146]

Great video! That truck is what it's all about!

[@mattberg916]

She's a beauty!

[@HotRodDave]

Man that's Cool. I want one for sure

[@aaronlevin2031]

Respect the grind 💪😎🤙. Thanks Flannel Philip

[@kevinvallee9049]

Badass. Another great video 👍🏼👍🏼

[@michaelprice3891]

Cool truck always good content!!

[@lt1nut]

Love the Monfort(spelling?) light!!!!

[@davidswanson6219]

great video 👍

[@bretyoung1869]

Very nice !!!!

[@Brsrafal]

Deff cool looking truck I would love to drive locally otr gimme real sleeper and fair pay

[@ronaldbertin9455]

Drove an R model Mack with a coffin box. . Paid alright, the best thing was 8 v 92 turbo that made lots of noise, LOL

[@imwaytogoodlookingtobeyour1188]

Looks like the orange autocar from the 1987 movie OVER THE TOP.....which the autocar from the movie was also a 1966....and people say that the reason the trucks look very similar was because they were made in the same factory

[@toushhog]

I wouldn’t change a thing on that truck. Just the owner, it would be me of course. Nice ride.

[@norstromtrucking1179]

Awsome truck n’ owner

[@SimuVerse-wi6ky]

🎉❤

[@jerryhoward978]

What’s the purpose of the 13 speed with 4 aux. and how to you shift it Cool old Pete.

[@davidswanson6219]

does it have a compressor level in to start it

[@TheLukeOProject]

Anyone know where I can get that same drivers seat ? Looking for that same style

[@MrTrker1]

Wish I could find one of those mercury sleeper !!!!!!! If anyone knows where one is please let me know !!!

[@rastyd]

there is a lot of space behind the sleeping bag of the cabin small

[@bradbolton8686]

Love to see that old iron still out makin a livin. 🤘🏻

[@markm0000]

How are these guys getting away with their company info on the frame?

[@DieselDoc78]

Why not? Just gotta be displayed on each side. Doesn’t specify where.

[@jasonburger3085]

You can find another video on KZbin of this same truck before this guy owned it .. The paint job was much nicer with dual stacks ..

[@dionst.michael1482]

Narrow nose. Needle nose is Kenworth

[@robkittle1899]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIKUpa2Amq2mesk I believe this is the truck!

[@robkittle1899]

May not be the same truck, but at least a twin!

[@ericcurlett811]

It is the same truck