The Kiwi 1988 International Acco known as 'number 40'

Normally at Deals on Wheels we focus on a good ol’ Aussie truck resto’s, or a trucking story about mateship that pulls at the heart strings.

But this time is a little bit different.

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We found a vintage beauty at our good neighbour’s land, New Zealand.

If you’re a Kiwi and happen to spot a rugged old International Acco travelling down the highways, that would be thanks to the team at Fulton Hogan.

The Acco is a 1988 T2670 that Jimmy Blair refers to as number 40.

“The truck was one of four bought at the time, all run under Maxwell Bros Transport, part of Fulton Hogan, Dunedin,” he says.

“The four trucks in the fleet were numbers 29, 30, 31 and the last one to come into the fleet was number 40.

“I started with Maxwell Bros in 1992, which is when I first discovered the truck. I drove number 29 – the sister truck – for about seven years, so I have a soft spot for that truck.”

This “lagoon blue” 1988 model is powered by an L10 Cummins rated at 250hp, featuring a 13-speed road ranger box and an 8m2 steel bin with twin under body rams.

“The truck tared in at about 9700 kilograms,” he says. “They were bought for low tare weight and low fuel consumption at the time.”

“Number 40 was the lead truck, the front of the line. It was driven new by Kenny Campbell, until two ex-Maxwell Bros 330 Hino’s were converted to tippers in the late 90s.

“Then number 40 moved around in various tipper roles within Fulton Hogan until it was converted into a tractor unit to replace an ageing 1924 Mercedes that was used for workshop duties moving trailers, and has remained in the fleet ever since, hence the low kilometres and high engine hours.”

These trucks look just as good then, as they do now

These trucks also worked hard towing transport trailers between work sites and tipper trailers over the winter months.

The Acco has about 426,000 original kilometres, 25,300 hours on the clock and is still in daily use today.

Though it had a repaint and engine refresh only last year, and is a good looker of a truck, Jimmy insists that number 40 is no show pony.

“It has the usual bumps and scratches that you would expect from a truck of its age being in daily use,” he says.

“The truck is mainly used for workshop duties and trailers for Certificate of Fitness (COF) inspections and occasionally pulls a water semi for providing water to rural fires.”

Jimmy’s not only been behind the wheel of this blue beauty, but many other rigs also.

From a young age, Jimmy was involved in farming, driving D series Fords and G88 Volvo’s before starting at Maxwell Bros with an N Series Ford. After his coworker retired, it was then that he took over his beloved ‘number 29’ T-line.

“Then during a restructure in the late 90s, I took on a role driving a Nissan micro surfacing truck,” he says.

“Then I drove bitumen sprayers before taking on a foreman role, before I went into management.

“I have always had a keen interest in trucks and keeping them looking good.”

Now Jimmy’s in charge of the micro surfacing Scania department, where the trucks feature full front and rear air suspension, are 42,000kg GVM and have a five stage engine brake, with 360 degree cameras and are powered by 460hp Euro 6.

Jimmy’s career in transport has come a long way and so have these trucks. Not only do they remain reliable, but they look good doing it too.

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