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Swept Away
'Gone With the Wind' Picks Up 55 Trophies
By Bill Hudgins
Rhett Butler is not the only one who gives a damn when Gordon and Janie Levering's "Gone With the Wind" Western Star blows into town. The list includes countless truck beauty show contestants who see trophies whirled away by this frankly-my-dear gorgeous rig. But even the Leverings were amazed to find they had racked up 55 trophies at 12 shows during 1999 — including seven at the the last National Association of Show Trucks (NAST) event of the year in mid-November at the 75 Chrome Shop in Wildwood, Fla.
From its plush interior rich in Victorian-era brocades, velvets, laces and appointments to the Rhett and Scarlett mannequins dressed in period costumes, the Leverings have indulged their passion for nostalgia.
They're leased to North American Van Lines trade show division, which means lengthy layovers. So the 325-inch wheelbase motorized Tara makes sense as well as a statement. Its 500-hp Detroit Series runs through an Eaton Fuller 13-speed overdrive tranny and 3.55 rears. Twin 150-gallon fuel tanks take it several times farther than Sherman's march to the sea.
A 150-inch ICT Sundowner sleeper holds an RV-size fridge with separate freezer, a microwave, electric skillets, a crock pot, a sink with crystal faucets, and a 50-gallon built-in water tank. They have a TV/VCR; stereo system with speakers throughout the cab and sleeper; a 7-KW generator with two inverters; upper and lower double beds; double wardrobes; and a shower with built-in potty.
The dinette area beside a window is lit by electric lights decorated with crystal ornaments and a crystal chandelier. The carpet is in a Victorian pattern; custom-carved wood accents abound throughout the sleeper. A file cabinet is built into a bench in the dinette, and cabinets and drawers are everywhere.
They need lots of storage for the Civil War-era style clothing, towels, spreads, crystal, china, silverware and other items they carry and display. In good weather, they dress up "Rhett" and "Scarlett," and set them outside. For the Wildwood show, Janie shopped thrift stores for a new blue dress for Scarlett and a formal black cape for Rhett. She also made Victorian-style Christmas decorations and edged the top of the sleeper with twinkling lights.
Janie's a movie buff who was inspired by the classic film and the more gracious, elegant and romantic era it embodies. The truck draws stares and questions on the road, as truckers and motorists spot the mural of an embracing Rhett and Scarlett. Truckers can also see the full-length portrait of the petite Scarlett on the 'Star's hood. The murals were done by Steve Ray and Steve Myles of Owensboro, Ky. At night, the truck stands out thanks to its 192 lights. Admits Janie, "We're adding more."
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