Editing Peterbilt (section)

=== 1939-1940s ===
[[File:1946 Peterbilt (20522846663).jpg|thumb|1946 Peterbilt flatbed]]
[[File:1939 Peterbilt 334 truck.jpg|left|thumb|1939 Peterbilt Model 334 (1 of 2 built 1939)]]
In 1939, the Fageol plant in Oakland opened for business as Peterbilt Motors Company.  As part of the design process, Peterman and his company engineers sought input from truck owners and drivers on how to develop trucks;<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|last=Says|first=Jim Miller|title=Peterbilt – A Historic Ride|date=January 23, 2012 |url=https://www.hammertrucks.com/peterbilt-379/|access-date=November 1, 2021|language=en-US|archive-date=November 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111095040/https://www.hammertrucks.com/peterbilt-379/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web|last=Company|first=Sandhills Publishing|title=Peterbilt History {{!}} Peterbilt of Louisiana {{!}} New and used Peterbilt truck dealer|url=https://www.peterbilttrkla.com/history.htm|access-date=November 1, 2021|website=www.peterbilttrkla.com|language=en|archive-date=November 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111095040/https://www.peterbilttrkla.com/history.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> initially planning to develop chain-drive trucks for the logging industry, the company transitioned towards vehicles intended towards highway freight transport.<ref name=":5" />  In April 1939, Peterbilt released its first vehicles for public sale, the single-axle Model 260 (chain drive) and the tandem-axle Model 334 (shaft-drive); both vehicles were offered with either gasoline or diesel engines.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5" /> The 260 and 334 were equipped with an all-steel cab, trimmed with plywood sourced from Peterman-owned lumber mills.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":9">{{Cite web|title=Peterbilt Motors Company {{!}} Encyclopedia.com|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/peterbilt-motors-company|access-date=November 1, 2021|website=www.encyclopedia.com|archive-date=November 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211111095039/https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/peterbilt-motors-company|url-status=live}}</ref>  In a tradition that would last for the next 40 years, the company would designate single rear-axle trucks with model numbers starting with 2; tandem rear-axle trucks started with 3.

Through the end of the year, Peterbilt produced 16 vehicles; the first Peterbilt was a fire truck chassis built for Centerville (now Fremont), California.<ref name=":5" />  For 1940, production increased to 83 vehicles.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5" />  To supplement its revenue, Peterbilt continued its practice of servicing and refurbishing trucks from all manufacturers.<ref name=":5" />

For 1941, Peterbilt created the heavier-duty Model 364; initially developed for the logging industry, the 364 was re-purposed for military production for World War II.<ref name=":5" />  In 1942, the company developed its first [[cab over|cab-over-engine]] (COE) truck, which was derived from the 260.  The vehicle was a half-cab design with a full-deck chassis.<ref name=":5" />

In 1944, production was increased as Peterbilt secured a contract to supply 224 military trucks.<ref name=":22" />  In November 1944, T.A. Peterman died from cancer at the age of 51, leaving the company to his wife, Ida.<ref name=":5" />

In 1945, the company resumed production of civilian vehicles; to increase payloads, Peterbilt introduced lighter aluminum-built cabs.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":10">{{Cite web|date=March 29, 2010|title=PETERBILT history - autoevolution|url=http://www.autoevolution.com/trucks/peterbilt/history|access-date=November 2, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329013430/http://www.autoevolution.com/trucks/peterbilt/history|archive-date=March 29, 2010}}</ref>

During 1947, Ida Peterman sold Peterbilt Motors Company to a group of company managers and investors for $450,000;<ref name=":22" /> while the investors received the company assets, Peterman retained ownership of the company real estate.<ref name=":8" />

In 1949, the company released a second generation of trucks, replacing the 260/334 with the all-new Model 280/350.  The "Iron Nose" conventional was distinguished by its tall, narrow grille (with vertical grille shutters) and cycle-style fenders (a design that remains in use today on some Peterbilt conventionals).  The first mass-produced COE by Peterbilt,<ref name=":3" /> the "Bubble Nose" 280/350 COE relocated the cab of the conventional above the front axle (but still received a short hood).{{Clear}}