Unsung Heroes

“It does a run between Gisborne and Auckland every second week,” says Ralph Scott of his 1991 Hino FF1418. “I use it to take dead cars and trucks to the wreckers up there,” Ralph adds about his company, Professional Fleet Maintenance. Ralph was fuelling up in Matamata when we spotted the Hino as a perfect candidate for Unsung Heroes. “She’s a nice old girl, does what it’s supposed to. She’s not fast on the hills but will cruise at 90kph just fine – doesn’t owe me a lot, and still gets a COF. It’s a good old girl,” says Ralph. In his care, the Hino has covered about 200,000km. “We did the motor about two years ago. It had done 500,000km by then,” Ralph adds. He bought the Hino from a chap in Te Anau and promptly drove it back home to Gisborne. “It was a transporter for a spraying company, had a Unimog on the back,” he says. “Before that, it was a waste management truck.” Ralph’s probably onto something with old Hinos. “I have an eight-wheeler from the same year,” he says.

It can’t all be 7in twin shooters, Texas bumpers, ram intakes, Kelsa bars, polished stainless steel, and Dura-Brights. Millions of tonnes of freight are moved every day in trucks that only the true enthusiast ever looks at twice. Yet owners and drivers alike often regard these old Trojans with fondness – like the holey jumper you put on when it’s cold. This monthly section, opposite Rust in Peace, is aimed at those trucks. They may be near to God, but they’re also dear to our hearts.

IS THIS YOU?

Do you own, drive, or know of an old truck that fits the Unsung Hero mould? Send us a good-quality pic and a little info about her, and she might just have her moment in the sun as the headlights start to dim. Don’t forget, if it’s not yours, make sure whoever owns it is happy for you to submit the truck. Send your pic to: editor@nztrucking.co.nz