Although the phrase "new and improved" is often misused and overused, when we first got sight of Athearn's Freightliners with interiors, flush windows, mirrors, "chrome" accessories, rubber tires, and new paint schemes, we were really excited. Well, "new and improved" barely describes Athearn's latest announcement! Athearn will be producing the same venerable Freightliner FL8664 cab they've had for so long but with some exciting enhancements like dual chrome stacks, dual chrome horns, and newly tooled aluminum ten hole wheels! As if that weren't enough, the most exciting thing about this group is that they are coming decorated in the classic Freightliner paint schemes of the era (1970s and '80s).

There are six distinctive schemes, each with two color combinations (we've got them paired up above) for a total of twelve (!) distinctive paint jobs. We're promised there might be additional schemes and certainly additional color combinations. Lest we forget, each tractor has a 20' container and Athearn's outstanding 23' container chassis. Six models (on the bottom row, above) are packaged with the chassis in the standard axle position and six (top row, above) are packaged with the axles in the rear position. This is a very welcome and surprising development form our friends at Athearn! More photos in the New Products section. We can only wonder aloud, "What's next?" [posted 12/20/2003]