The Peterbilt 359 ran in continuous production from 1967 to 1987, and the 1973 model year lands at a historically charged moment: just months before the OPEC oil crisis reshaped American trucking and prompted the 55 mph national speed limit of 1974. IXO Models — a diecast manufacturer with a catalogue spanning 1:43 and 1:64 — brings this specific vintage to shelf as part of their dedicated trucks series.
A Class 8 Truck Built to Last Two Decades
Introduced in 1967 and built on a steel and aluminium frame, the Peterbilt 359 was available in day-cab and sleeper configurations throughout its production run. The long, sloped aluminium hood and chrome grille surround became the truck's visual signature. Power came from a range of big-bore diesel units — most commonly a Cummins NTC-350 or NTC-400 inline-6, or a Detroit Diesel 8V-71T two-stroke V8 — with outputs spanning roughly 290 to 450 hp depending on specification. Peterbilt itself has been manufacturing trucks in the United States since 1939 as a division of PACCAR Inc.
The Year American Trucking Changed Forever
By 1973, owner-operators behind the wheel of trucks like the 359 were at the centre of a distinctly American CB-radio and trucking culture that would soon explode into mainstream consciousness. The 359 later earned screen time in the 1977 film Smokey and the Bandit and the TV series B.J. and the Bear, but in 1973 it was still a working truck — a dominant long-haul tractor used by fleets and independents alike. The OPEC oil crisis of that same year made this model year a genuine historical boundary marker for the industry.
IXO Models and the 1:64 Scale Model
IXO Models produces this 1973 Peterbilt 359 at 1:64 as part of their trucks series — a scale at which detailed representations of classic American semis remain comparatively rare. The 1:64 format is well suited to the long-nose proportions of the 359, allowing the characteristic hood length and chrome detailing to read clearly without demanding the shelf space of a 1:43 or 1:18 piece. IXO's trucks series addresses both classic American and European heavy vehicles, and the 359 sits logically among their broader commercial-vehicle output.
In the Display Cabinet
At 1:64, this model pairs naturally with other classic American long-haul tractors of the 1970s — the Kenworth W900, the Mack R-Series, or the Freightliner FLA — allowing a coherent era display without occupying significant cabinet space. Collectors focusing on the golden age of US trucking (roughly 1967–1979) will find the 1973 date-specific Peterbilt 359 a precise and historically grounded anchor piece. It also appeals to collectors drawn to 1970s American pop culture beyond pure commercial-vehicle subjects.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
What is the Peterbilt 359?
The Peterbilt 359 is an American Class 8 long-haul tractor produced from 1967 to 1987, recognised for its long aluminium hood and chrome grille. It was one of the most widely used owner-operator trucks of the 1970s.
Why is the 1973 model year significant?
1973 coincides with the OPEC oil crisis, which heavily impacted US trucking and led directly to the 55 mph national speed limit introduced the following year. It sits at a turning point in American trucking history.
Who makes this 1:64 scale model?
The model is produced by IXO Models, a diecast manufacturer known for collectible vehicles across multiple scales including 1:43 and 1:64, with a dedicated trucks series covering classic American and European heavy vehicles.
What engine did the 1973 Peterbilt 359 use?
Multiple engine options were available, most commonly the Cummins NTC-350 or NTC-400 inline-6 diesel, or the Detroit Diesel 8V-71T two-stroke V8, with outputs ranging from approximately 290 to 450 hp.
