This month’s first inductee, Bounty Hunter, started its working life at Buckeridge Transport in 2009, enjoying a solid working career with the Dannevirke-based Buckeridge team. From here, it was onto NZ Bulk for a stint until March 2021, when Rob Bailey of RJ Bailey Transport became the proud owner.

The old K108 was looking a little tired when Rob took control of the keys, and in his mind, it was time to give the rig a top-to-toe refurbishment. It was given a complete strip-back, including sandblasting the chassis in preparation for a new coat of paint. The colours and stripe design Rob chose suit the K108’s flat-roof sleeper cab and are sympathetic to paint schemes of the 1970s and 1980s cab-over Kenworths trucking across US freeways at the time.

During the refurb, all the mechanicals were inspected for wear and tear. Generally, it was in good shape, with only the usual items needing attention. The turbocharger looked a little suspect, so a new, genuine Holset was sourced in Australia and installed on the big Cummins. A new charge air cooler and radiator were also fitted. The gearbox was removed for a rebuild, and a new clutch kit installed. Further back, the entire driveline was replaced, including yokes and bearings, and a reconditioned front diff head was installed. Rob also fitted a set of new vertical chrome stacks to complete the overall look.

A new 6m x 1.3m Hardox steel bin, complete with KiwiTarps rollback system and new Edbro hoist package, was fabricated and fitted to the chassis. This finished the rebuild process, with nothing left to do except get to work and get dirty. Rob did just that and ran the K108 until recently, when a drop-off in workload meant he had to sell it. The stand- out K108 is now part of the STLand Contracting fleet, based in Auckland, running daily loads to the Redvale Landfill.

“It sure was hard to let the old girl go after putting all that work and effort into it,” says Rob. “But the K108 is a bullet-proof truck. I have a real passion for them after spending six years in one travelling all over Australia and putting 1,900,000km on it. One day, I will get my hands on another.” All we can say is we cannot wait to see what you do to it once you get it, Rob.