Neil MacLean’s Kenworth collection at Wagga Wagga includes two miniature Kenworths
When Neil MacLean saw a photograph of a mini truck in an old truck magazine, he had to have one.
So in 2000 he created his own by attaching a S2 Kenworth cab to a C30 Chev chassis. “The cab’s actually the original size,” says Neil who lives in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. “It’s only the bonnet and the sleeper I’ve actually cut down.”
It is registered as a modified C30 Chevrolet. But Neil calls it his ‘baby Kenworth’ or his ‘ute’. He drives it to work most days. You’ll often see it parked at his business, Wagga Windscreen Doctor.
Neil built a second baby Kenworth in 2010. His miniature cab-over sits on a SBR 722 Isuzu chassis and has a 6-cylinder Isuzu motor. Neil cut a 1980 Kenworth small cab in half, removed 30cm from the middle, and rejoined the two halves. “And then I’ve stretched it out to make it a big long cab, like an American cab.”
Owner//Driver travelled to Wagga Wagga to see Neil’s collection recently. His restored Kenworths include a 1986 W Model, 1982 Aerodyne, and an ex-Finemore K123. They are all hobby trucks. He restores them for pure enjoyment and loves taking them to truck events.
Neil, his twin brother Donny and their father Don all carted livestock for Finemores. Neil also carted freight for Comet and K&S Freighters before becoming a windscreen specialist.
With so many toys to choose from, Neil is still deciding which truck he and his wife Maranda will take to Haulin’ the Hume on March 30 and 31, 2019. He says he’ll probably drive the recently restored Aerodyne, towing the 1986 FTE fridge van which he has converted to a motor home. The classic truck run from Camden to Yass includes sections of the old Hume Highway.
Read the full story in the January issue of Owner//Driver.
Video: Tamara Whitsed