The Peterbilt 281/351 is a line of tractor units built by Peterbilt that ran from 1954 until 1976. The 281 series had a single drive axle, the 351 two. It was very popular with truckers, with the 351 series outlasting the 281.

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Peterbilt 281/351
Line-up of three mid-1960s Peterbilt 281s
Overview
Type	Truck
Manufacturer	Peterbilt
Production	1954–1976
Assembly	Oakland, California
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door truck
Chronology
Predecessor	Peterbilt 280/350
Successor	Peterbilt 359

History

The Peterbilt 281 emerged from Peterbilt's assembly plant in Oakland, California in 1954.

It earned the nickname "Needlenose" from its narrow nose and butterfly hood, popular with truckers for ease of engine access and superior visibility. Like its companion series 351, it had only two small round headlights.

Remaining in production until 1976, the 281/351 was a durable and popular series. The basic design made way for different models, with tilt cab-over-engine models introduced in 1959.[1]

A model 281 and 351(in some scenes) were featured in the made-for-TV movie Duel [2] in 1971.[1]

References

External links

• 10-4 Magazine truck article, Duel Lives On!
• Official Peterbilt website