WIETHOP TRUCK SALES OBSERVES 45TH ANNIVERSARY

Wiethop Truck Sales Inc., 2359 Independence, Cape Girardeau, recently observed its 45th anniversary.

Wiethop, which moved to its current site in 1963, specializes in sales, parts and service for International Trucks.

Carroll Wiethop, the company's first president, founded Wiethop Truck Sales Inc., a truck and trailer sales company at 20 S. Sprigg in July 1954 after moving to the area from the St. Louis area.

He retired in 1987.

Company officers included Bill Gosche, who has been with the company 22 years, president; Virgil Vonder Haar, vice president; Jeanette Mahacek, secretary. Wiethop and Tom Blassie are directors.

Wiethop was working at a truck sales at a Kirkwood dealership in 1954 when the International Truck dealership became available in Cape Girardeau.

Five years later, Wiethop added a Buick dealership to the operation. The Buick dealership was sold in 1965. Wiethop also operated a trucking line in the 1960s.

The company today has 29 employees and services customers in a five-state area.

Wiethop recently held a customer appreciation week at the dealership. Larry Stafford of Fredericktown was winner of a trip for two to Branson.

The company will hold an open house Oct. 2, featuring the "Eagle Tour '99," introducing the International 90001 Series trucks.

Dave LaPalomento, Southwest regional vice president for Navistar International Transportation Corp., from Dallas, Texas, was in Cape Girardeau recently to present Wiethop Truck Sales with a commemorative plaque for 45 years of service as an International dealer.

Navistar International Corp., with world headquarters in Chicago, is a leading North American producer of heavy and medium trucks and school buses. The company manufactures mid-range diesel engines, which are produced in a range of 160 to 300 horsepower for the International brand, and a private-label designer. The company also manufactures diesel engines for full-size pickup trucks and van markets, and selected industrial and off-highway markets.

Navistar came into existence in 1985 when International Harvester sold off its farm equipment business.