Sonic Boom: Pat Rositano’s custom Kenworth K200

Pat Rositano’s Sonic Building Kenworth K200 is built for go as much as it is built for show.

Words by Ian Lee. Photography by Avit Chauhan – Toast Graphics.

It’s all well and good to have a good looking rig, but if functionality isn’t present in a truck, then it’s just a fantastic lawn ornament. This is the thinking behind the build process of this machine, the Kenworth K200 owned by Pat Rositano of Sonic Building, a maroon beast that is as much about ‘go’ as it is about ‘show’. Built two years ago, the cabover looks as good today as it did when it first hit the road, the truck still making regular appearances at local shows, and winning awards as well. Working with the reliability of the mainstream truck brand, Pat has put his own touch on the rig and created a truck that attracts second glances everywhere it goes. And it’s definitely no lawn ornament.

Pat Rositano has been behind the wheel for the past twenty years, as his building business has grown, so has the size of the trucks he has needed to carry out the work required to build the business. Starting out with a Nissan UD PK185, Pat moved onto an Iveco with a tagalong trailer, finally culminating in the need for a prime mover with a low loader trailer to move excavators, low loaders and bobcats on a regular basis. Settling on a flat roof Kenworth K200, powered by a Cummins ISX engine packing 600 horses, Pat had the functionality part down, now it was time to bling it up a bit.

Putting his head together with Andrew Heathcote of A & I Custom Trucks/Auto Electrical, the two decided an old school look would be the aim of the build process. Building on the factory applied “Candyapple” paintwork, and maintaining the ability to be worked every day, were all aspects required in the final product.

Once the truck rolled into the A & I workshop the truck was stripped down and the work got underway. The tanks were painted to match the factory paint, along with the custom stainless sunvisor. The rims were sent away to Superchrome to be given the chrome treatment, along with other alloy parts such as the hand rails and steps.

Adding to the shine factor is the AdBlue tank and battery box wrapped in stainless steel, while the guards chosen for the back end are quality Lelox products.

Putting his own touch on the rig, Pat has had his name laser cut in the sidesteps.

A big rig needs a big exhaust system, and the cabover made it’s way to Windsor Exhaust to have a dual exhaust system fitted, along with the 7 inch exhaust tips.

Once back at A & I, the custom exhaust shrouds incorporating light boxes were mounted. In order to keep the interior simple, it had a few additional gauges fitted from the factory, and the main change being that the rig is carpeted throughout. Finally, the headlights and driving lights have all been changed out to LED units, ensuring the light produced is all the same type.

The result of all this work is an unassuming prime mover, one that isn’t in your face, but will still catch your eye when you see it on the road.

A material result of 20 years of hard work and effort, this Kenworth is definitely something different. Most importantly, it’s a truck that isn’t scared of a day’s work. And ultimately, isn’t that what trucks are all about?

Rear Vision: where are they now?

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