MOVIN' ON
Billy Tackett
Airing in the mid-1970s, Movin’ On followed the adventures of two truckers, Will Chandler (played by Claude Akins) and Sonny Pruitt (played by Frank Converse). Together, they hauled freight across the country, encountering all kinds of people and situations along the way.
Unlike many shows of its era, Movin’ On leaned into realism. The stories were grounded, often focusing on everyday struggles - labor disputes, small-town conflicts, and the quiet dignity of working-class life. And at the center of it all was their truck: a Kenworth W925, a long-nose conventional rig that perfectly captured the look and feel of 1970s trucking culture. Painted in a distinctive green with white striping, the truck had a clean, no-nonsense design that reflected the personalities of the men behind the wheel.
What made this rig stand out:
Long-Nose Power: The extended hood gave the truck a commanding presence on the road, housing a powerful diesel engine built for long hauls.
Sleeper Cab: This wasn’t just a work truck; it was a home on wheels, emphasizing the nomadic lifestyle of long-haul drivers.
Timeless Paint Scheme: That green-and-white color combo became instantly recognizable to fans of the show.
What set the Movin’ On rig apart from other famous TV and movie vehicles is that it wasn’t flashy or fantastical - it was real. This was the kind of truck you could actually see on American highways, hauling freight day and night.
In many ways, the truck functioned as a third main character. It was always there - reliable, tough, and uncomplaining - no matter what trouble Chandler and Pruitt found themselves in. When things went sideways, the truck was their escape. When times were good, it carried them forward to the next job, the next town, the next story.
Movin’ On arrived during a time when trucking culture was exploding into the mainstream. CB radios, convoy culture, and outlaw country music were all part of the landscape. The show tapped into that spirit, presenting truckers not just as drivers, but as modern-day cowboys.
The Kenworth became a symbol of that lifestyle:
Freedom of the open road
Brotherhood among drivers
Life lived outside the system
While Movin’ On may not get the same spotlight today as some other classic TV series, its truck remains an enduring icon for those who remember it. For trucking enthusiasts and vintage TV fans alike, that green Kenworth still represents a golden era when the road felt endless and the stories felt real.
You can see that same spirit captured in this artwork- the detail in the chrome, the weight of the trailer, the smoke curling into the sky - it all brings that era roaring back to life. It’s not just a truck; it’s a memory of a time when television slowed down just enough to appreciate the miles.
The truck from Movin’ On wasn’t built to save the world or chase down villains. It was built to work.
And that’s exactly why it still resonates.