“Design Our Star Project” by Western Star Unveils One-of-a-Kind Truck!
It’s possible you’ve been so busy shoveling snow or tip-toeing your truck across the country these past several weeks, you didn’t get a chance to participate in Western Star’s Design Our Star project. Maybe you didn’t even know about it. But the results are in, and the truck – built entirely to specs voted on by customers – will be on display at the upcoming Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) in Louisville, Kentucky on March 27-29.
The designed-by-truckers project started almost a year ago, aiming to build the quintessential truck from the ground up, one component at a time. In case you aren’t able to attend MATS, we thought you’d like to know what the winning Western Star “dream truck” looks like, on the road and under the hood.
Body
More than half of all the votes case went to the model 4900 EX, what Western Star describes as their “classic on-highway truck.” In addition to its traditionally handsome looks, it features a 132” wheelbase. It’s one of Western Star’s most versatile models.
Application
Long-haul won the hearts of voters, over logging, heavy-duty and other options.
Sleeper
Are truckers getting taller, or just looking for maximum comfort for long days and nights on the road? Voters chose the 82” ultra-high sleeper, the largest in the industry, perhaps in part because it allows a 48” bunk.
Engine
Power, power and more power. Voters opted for the biggest Detroit Diesel engine, the DD16, which puts out up to 600 horsepower and 2050 pounds of torque. Western Star also offers Cummins engine options for various truck models.
Interior
You have to sit in it for yours, you might as well be comfortable. Voters chose the premium maple red ultra-leather interior to go with the cab’s standard cherry wood cabinets. Nice.
Custom paint job
Western Star is happy to accommodate truck buyers with custom paint jobs. For this project, they offered a few options, but voters chose “That 70s Truck,” with red-white-and blue longitudinal striping. This paint job narrowly beat out a “hunter camo” look.
Chrome & Accessories
Voting on the final trimmings can only be described as over the top. Bypassing a hefty “muscle car” look, voters went for big and bold – including an in-your-face size bull bar, custom sun visor, 8” stacks with custom E-shields and eye-popping chrome. Guess truckers want to be noticed, no matter where they go.
So what do you think? Over the course of the Design Your Star project, thousands of truckers voted on their favorite design components. In fact, Western Star Brand manager Andy Johnson says the project was “far more successful that we ever thought it would be.” And why not? Even if you aren’t in the market for a new Western Star Truck quite yet, it’s always fun to dream. Especially when cost is no object.