August 2017
Les Sullivan's 2007 Western Star 4900EX LowMax Tractor
WRITTEN BY:
- Duncan Putman
PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
- Lester "Les" Sullivan
August’s featured truck, a 2007 Western Star 4900EX LowMax, is an exceptional beauty.
Lester “Les” Sullivan, an owner/operator from Springfield, Illinois, is the proud owner of this amazing Star-Car, of which this is his eighth Western Star.
The tractor is powered by a Caterpillar ACERT C15 550 bhp engine hooked up to a 13 speed Fuller transmission with 321 rear ends. Featuring air-ride suspension, including the steering axle, the truck is equipped with a Thermo-King TriPak APU.
Sullivan states that the interior has all the bells and whistles from Western Star plus XM Satellite radio and Bostrom Lo-air seats. There are several custom parts including mahogany interior door handles/arm rests.
Lester “Les” Sullivan, an owner/operator from Springfield, Illinois, is the proud owner of this amazing Star-Car, of which this is his eighth Western Star.
The tractor is powered by a Caterpillar ACERT C15 550 bhp engine hooked up to a 13 speed Fuller transmission with 321 rear ends. Featuring air-ride suspension, including the steering axle, the truck is equipped with a Thermo-King TriPak APU.
Sullivan states that the interior has all the bells and whistles from Western Star plus XM Satellite radio and Bostrom Lo-air seats. There are several custom parts including mahogany interior door handles/arm rests.
Les does LTL work from Chicago to Phoenix using a 2001 Wabash National 50 foot stainless steel spread axle reefer with pleated stainless front and rear doors. It’s cooled by a Thermo King SB Whisper III. Both tractor and trailer feature 298 LED clear marker lights and ride on Accuride aluminum wheels.
Sullivan has been in the trucking business for almost 40 years with his first truck being a 1964 International Emeryville cabover.
Les has had his last two Western Stars featured in the Shell Rotella T Super Rigs calendar. In 2007 his 2003 Western Star was featured and his current tractor is showcased in the 2008 calendar. He has the unique distinction of being the only owner to have his trucks featured in consecutive years on the calendar.
Sullivan has competed in over 150 truck shows and won Best of Show at the 2005 Louisville, KY Mid-America Trucking Show Stars and Stripes event.
All the custom stainless parts were manufactured by Roadworks of Lafayette, Indiana. The Western Star was Roadworks’ “test truck” for chrome and custom parts for the LoMax model tractors.
Not only are all the custom parts for Les’s tractor available in the Roadworks catalog, the truck itself appears in the catalog.
The orange paint is a custom PPG color made for Sullivan. The truck is Ivory White with custom paint-work by Doug Canham.
Les is a lifetime member of OOIDA (Owner/Operator Independent Driver Association) and during his down time likes restoring Jeep Wranglers and showing the Western Star.
He’s married with 3 children and one grandchild.
When asked about why he likes showing trucks he exclaims: “I enjoy the competition, the camaraderie; I enjoy trucks and I’ve met some really fine people over the years and made a lot of great friends.”
Sullivan has been in the trucking business for almost 40 years with his first truck being a 1964 International Emeryville cabover.
Les has had his last two Western Stars featured in the Shell Rotella T Super Rigs calendar. In 2007 his 2003 Western Star was featured and his current tractor is showcased in the 2008 calendar. He has the unique distinction of being the only owner to have his trucks featured in consecutive years on the calendar.
Sullivan has competed in over 150 truck shows and won Best of Show at the 2005 Louisville, KY Mid-America Trucking Show Stars and Stripes event.
All the custom stainless parts were manufactured by Roadworks of Lafayette, Indiana. The Western Star was Roadworks’ “test truck” for chrome and custom parts for the LoMax model tractors.
Not only are all the custom parts for Les’s tractor available in the Roadworks catalog, the truck itself appears in the catalog.
The orange paint is a custom PPG color made for Sullivan. The truck is Ivory White with custom paint-work by Doug Canham.
Les is a lifetime member of OOIDA (Owner/Operator Independent Driver Association) and during his down time likes restoring Jeep Wranglers and showing the Western Star.
He’s married with 3 children and one grandchild.
When asked about why he likes showing trucks he exclaims: “I enjoy the competition, the camaraderie; I enjoy trucks and I’ve met some really fine people over the years and made a lot of great friends.”
EDITOR'S NOTE:
- We are sad to say that on August 4, 2013, after Les had retired from trucking, he passed away. He was both a great friend and great ambassador to the trucking industry and will be missed by all of us.
- This article was originally featured in August 2008 on EyesOnTheRoad.org and has been republished with permission.
- Do you own a unique rig? Get your truck featured here on our website and show-it-off to the world! Click Here to contact us and tell us about your truck!
