Haul of Fame: Workin’ Man Blues — Bryan Martin’s 1987 Peterbilt 359 Reborn

In the world of classic trucking, some rigs simply haul freight—while others become legends on the road.

Every so often, a truck comes along that represents far more than horsepower, chrome, and polished aluminum. It represents decades of history, craftsmanship, and the dedication required to bring a classic truck back to life the right way.

Workin’ Man Blues, a beautifully restored 1987 Peterbilt 359 owned by Bryan Martin of Martin Livestock, is one of those trucks.

This remarkable Peterbilt 359 restoration showcases everything enthusiasts love about classic American semi trucks—clean lines, period-correct details, and carefully chosen upgrades that respect the heritage of the original build.

Rather than turning the truck into an over-the-top showpiece, the builders focused on creating something even more impressive: a truck that looks exactly how a 359 should have looked rolling off the lot in the late 1980s.

When Workin’ Man Blues debuted at the Mid-America Trucking Show during the prestigious Big Rig Build-Off, it quickly became clear this wasn’t just another custom truck.

Truck enthusiasts, builders, and judges immediately recognized the level of craftsmanship and authenticity poured into every detail.

The project brought together some of the most respected names in truck building. Fabrication and specialty components came from Four State Trucks and their renowned Chrome Shop Mafia team, while the full restoration and assembly were handled by the talented crew at Davis Brothers Designs.

Together, they helped transform a long-forgotten truck into one of the most authentic Peterbilt 359 builds in recent memory.

How Workin' Man's Blues Custom Truck Came to Life

• 100% inside and out restoration
• Complete disassembly and rebuild from parts
• Refurbishing and rebuilding original factory components
• Custom metal fabrication by Chrome Shop Mafia
• Suspension modifications
• Interior upholstery and dash trim restoration

Specs & Parts on the Custom Peterbilt 359 Build

• CAT 3608 engine 
• Turbo with Cerakote-coated hot side
• Polished valve covers
• Custom radiator fan shroud (fabricated)
• Custom intake tube (fabricated)
• Polished hose clamps
• Polished brackets and hardware

From Broken, Separate Truck Parts to a 360-Degree Rebuild

The focus was on authenticity, craftsmanship, and period-correct detail. 

The Process and the Teamwork

Together, they helped transform a long-forgotten truck into one of the most authentic Peterbilt 359 builds in recent memory

The truck didn’t come complete. It started out with three different trailers and numerous separate pieces, including the chassis, motor, cab, sleeper, and hood, that had to be put together. 

The team tried to preserve as many original factory component parts as possible while carefully restoring tired parts and replacing useless components with aftermarket equivalents: 

• The custom fan shroud.
• The intake tube under the hood.
• Stainless steel cabin sleeper panels (1 3/5-inches) to fit around larger air tanks.
• New mirror-polished stainless steel door sills to upgrade the original. 

Original parts were carefully refurbished. Components that had seen decades of wear were restored or replaced with pieces that stayed true to the era. The goal was authenticity.

Throughout the process, the Davis Brothers team worked closely with the crew at Four State Trucks. Measurements were shared back and forth to ensure the parts fabricated in Joplin would fit perfectly when they arrived.

Communication was constant. Fabrication, polishing, painting, and assembly all had to line up to bring the truck together exactly as planned.

The result was a build that balanced modern craftsmanship with old-school trucking style.

The Story Behind the Workin’ Man Blues Peterbilt 359 Restoration

Bryan's connection to this truck goes back decades.

He first purchased the truck when he was just 24 years old. Even then, the rig already had a reputation in the region. It had belonged to a well-known trucker who hauled grain and cattle—earning its keep the old-fashioned way on back roads and highways.

But the truck’s story took a rough turn when it was wrecked.

For many trucks, that might have been the end of the road. Instead, Bryan held onto it. The truck was disassembled and stored away piece by piece, waiting for the day when it could be rebuilt properly.

Over time, the parts piled up. For years, components sat quietly, waiting for their second chance.

To fully restore the rig, they made upgrades like: 

• Period-correct cab/marker lighting 
• Polished original-style brackets and controls
• Interior upholstery by Tub’s 
• Diamond tread aluminum step boxes 
• A 3608 CAT engine with painted components 
• Custom 4-bag Peterbilt suspensions with rear steering box (true to the Pete 359 style).

Debating the Deck Plate Design

One of the biggest discussions centered around the truck’s deck plate design.

Some of the builders initially wanted to install an in-frame deck plate for a modern appearance. Bryan Martin, however, had something else in mind.

He insisted on keeping the design true to late-1980s trucks.

His plan included a smooth aluminum deck plate mounted on top of the frame, with a strip of diamond tread plate running down the center. A small tread plate airline box was also installed just behind the sleeper mounts.

At first, the idea sparked some debate among the team.

But once the design was complete, it became clear that Bryan’s vision had paid off. The deck plate flows beautifully from the sleeper to the rear frame, tying together the truck’s classic styling.

Sometimes sticking to tradition really is the right move.

This design helped to preserve the truck’s old-school character. The rear frame cover also used a modified version of 4 State Truck’s rear center panel setup. This one had a powder-coated steel inner structure for added strength and ground clearance. 

Exterior Chrome & Stainless Steel Upgrades

Side Sleeper Panels

Moving down the side of the truck, one of the most noticeable exterior upgrades is the stainless cabin sleeper panels supplied by Four State Trucks.

Bryan Martin wanted the panels to stay subtle and period-correct. Rather than using oversized panels common on modern builds, he chose a thinner profile to maintain the classic look of a late-80s truck.

The panels installed on Workin’ Man Blues measure roughly 1¾ inches wide. That sizing was chosen specifically to accommodate the larger air tanks mounted along the frame while still maintaining the truck’s clean lines.

The polished stainless finish gives the sleeper a refined look while still feeling true to the era.

It’s another example of how every decision on this build balanced appearance with practicality.

The new set of polished stainless steel sleeper panels gives the truck a clean, period-correct look while maintaining the classic late-80s style envisioned by Bryan "Bossman" Martin.

Aluminum Step Boxes

Originally, there was discussion about installing stainless step boxes, but Bryan remained committed to maintaining the truck’s old-school personality.

Once installed, the aluminum step boxes proved to be the perfect choice. Their classic diamond tread pattern matches the era of the truck while complementing the polished metal accents throughout the build.

The classic diamond-tread aluminum step box/battery box cover added to that vintage aesthetic so commonly seen on Peterbilt trucks during the 80s.

Custom-Made Rear Frame Center Panel

The truck features a reinforced rear center panel designed for durability and a clean rear frame appearance. 

For this build, however, a special adjustment was made.

Standard versions of the rear center panel typically measure about 20 inches in height. Bryan requested a slightly shorter design to keep the truck sitting higher off the ground.

The team built a custom 16-inch version that maintains the same strength and durability while matching Bryan’s preferred stance.

The finished result keeps the rear of the truck clean and functional without sacrificing ground clearance.

Custom Interior Details That Make a Difference

Inside the cab, the restoration continued with the same dedication to authenticity.

One of the most noticeable improvements came in the form of brand-new polished stainless door sills from Four State Trucks.

These “old school tread plate boxes,” made from Number 8 polished stainless steel, replaced the original door sills that had become worn and damaged over the years.

Small details like this can make a major difference in the finished look of a truck.

The interior itself was refurbished by Tub’s in Oregon, who recreated the classic Seattle-style interior packages that were popular in trucks during that time period.

The dash panels were restored with new vinyl. Gauges were refurbished or replaced as needed. Controls were polished, and even the carpet was chosen to match the tight-loop style commonly used in classic trucks.

The goal was to make the interior feel like you were stepping into a perfectly preserved 1980s Peterbilt.

Blue Dot Marker Lights & Rear Center Panel Lights

The finishing touches on Workin’ Man Blues bring the entire truck together.

The build includes classic blue dot lighting, period-correct mirrors, and Grover horns mounted on the roof. The truck also features custom striping designed to highlight the hood’s louvers while blending them naturally into the body lines.

Even the backup lights follow old-school tradition. Bryan opted for aircraft-style landing lights, a popular modification on trucks decades ago.

The exterior lighting display pairs perfectly with the Legendary Lights on the air breather panels.

All of these details combine to create a truck that feels authentic to its era while still standing out among modern builds.

A Custom-Built Suspension System

The truck features a four-bag Peterbilt suspension with dual levelers—an arrangement that many classic 359 owners prefer.

Bryan also insisted on retaining the rear steering box, a component that many modern builds remove.

In his opinion, a true Peterbilt 359 should keep that original mechanical character.

Custom mounts and suspension components were fabricated to ensure the setup worked correctly while maintaining the truck’s classic engineering.

This Truck Build was a Moment Years in the Making

When Bryan Martin finally saw Workin’ Man Blues fully assembled for the first time, it was a moment years in the making.

After decades of ownership and months of restoration work, the truck he had dreamed about was finally complete.

His reaction was simple but powerful.

He said he wouldn’t change a single thing about the truck.

For someone who had owned the truck since he was 24 years old, seeing it fully restored and rolling again was an unforgettable moment.

Ironically, at the time of the show, Bryan still hadn’t even taken the truck for a drive yet. He simply enjoyed seeing it together and moving again after all those years.

Why This Haul of Fame Build Stands Out: Moderate Customization & Period-Correct Originality

Tasteful, moderate upgrades and true-to-form restoration - that’s why this truck stands out. 

Rather than pursuing excessive customizations and aftermarket add-ons, the team’s goal had been to make the truck look exactly like a brand-new Peterbilt 359 that you’d find at a dealership in the 80s, only a little more polished and sleek.

The results were noteworthy. 

Participants and judges at the Mid-America Truck Show Big Rig Build Off heaped praise on the custom build for looking “just right.” 

Workin’ Man Blues is perfect example of what happens when dedication, craftsmanship, and passion come together.

The collaboration between Davis Brothers Designs, Four State Trucks, and the Chrome Shop Mafia resulted in a truck that perfectly captures the spirit of the classic Peterbilt 359.

From custom fabrication to carefully restored original components, every part of the build reflects a deep respect for trucking heritage.

The truck doesn’t just look like a showpiece.

It looks like it belongs on the road, doing exactly what trucks like this were built to do.

Working.

Watch the Full Interview

Want to hear the full story behind Workin’ Man Blues?

Watch the full walkaround and build interview featuring Kevin Johnson of Davis Brothers Designs, who played a major role in the restoration of this incredible 1987 Peterbilt 359.

In the interview, Kevin breaks down the challenges of rebuilding the truck from multiple trailers of parts, the effort to preserve original components, and the collaboration between the builders at Four State Trucks and the fabrication team known as the Chrome Shop Mafia.

From suspension fabrication to interior restoration and the finishing details that make this truck feel period-correct, Kevin shares the behind-the-scenes knowledge that brought Workin’ Man Blues back to life.

Watch the full YouTube interview to see the truck up close and hear the full story from the builders themselves.

Explore More Haul of Fame Builds

Love trucks like Workin’ Man Blues?

Be sure to explore the full Haul of Fame video series, where we feature some of the most impressive trucks in the industry along with the stories behind their builds.

Read the full Haul of Fame blog series to dive deeper into the craftsmanship, builders, and owners who keep trucking heritage alive.

View the complete photo gallery of Workin’ Man Blues to see every detail—from the polished engine bay to the classic deck plate and rear frame setup.

Ready to Build Your Own Haul of Fame Rig?

If Workin’ Man Blues has you thinking about your own truck project, the team at Four State Trucks and the builders of the Chrome Shop Mafia are ready to help.

Whether you're upgrading a working rig, installing chrome semi truck accessories, or restoring a classic like the legendary Peterbilt 359, the team at Four State Trucks offers thousands of parts along with expert fabrication and installation services.

Stop by the shop in Joplin, talk with the team, and see how your truck could become the next Haul of Fame feature.

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