Jordy Gattuso was proud as punch when he rocked up at the Alexandra Truck, Ute and Rod Show on the King’s Birthday weekend this year with his factory-fresh 2024 SAR Legend.
The 26-year-old had collected the impressive unit in Wodonga just the day before, and it was all shined up and ready to go.
Gattuso has plenty of experience behind the wheel, doing general overnight freight for his dad’s transport company, Gattuso Frank Transport & Packaging – but this is the first truck he’s bought with his own money.
“It’s a privilege to have the opportunity to buy my own truck,” he says.
“I’ve been waiting for this for a long time, and I can’t wipe the smile off my face.”
He’s had input along every stage of the process, and the rig has been put together to his specifications.
“It’s exactly how I wanted it – I’ve fallen in love pretty quick!” he adds.
But even though the Shepparton native has got his own rig, he won’t be going solo any time soon.
“I love going to work with Dad every day,” he says.
“I couldn’t see myself anywhere else.
“Sometimes I don’t see Dad for a few days, and I miss him!”
Gattuso always knew he wanted to work with trucks and is a trained mechanic as well as a driver.
“Dad always said to go get a trade first, so I did.
“It’s handy because if anything goes wrong with the truck, I have an idea where to start.
“When I’m not driving or in the workshop, I’m over Dad’s shoulder watching how he does things.
“I’ve learned a lot from him and I’m pretty confident moving forward in the industry because of that.”
Gattuso was also inspired by his dad when it came to the signwriting on his truck, which features a special quote alongside a picture of the iconic cartoon characters Roadrunner and Wile E. Coyote.
“Dad’s dream was always to own a Peterbilt,” Jordy says.
“So, when he got one, he got ‘This is my dream – get your own,’ written on the side.
“I wanted to have a dream quote on the side of my truck too, to tie in with his truck.
“Mine says ‘Never stop chasing your dream’, which I thought was a good choice.”
Gattuso acknowledges that it can be a struggle to get young people like himself into the transport industry.
“Not too many young people want to be in trucks these days, but I idolise the older truckies,” he says.
“I always like hearing their stories from back in the day, and how things have changed.
“I’ve loved every minute in this industry.”
Gattuso is also interested in older trucks, and is looking forward to seeing the end result of the restoration of the first truck his dad ever bought – a 1969 Dodge.
“The Dodge sat at Mum and Dad’s house for a very long time, so it’s got some rust and things like that.
“It needs a bit of cab work, and the tray needs work because it had wooden floors and they have rotted.
“We’ve got a guy doing it and it’s not going to happen overnight, but we’ll get there!”