Garry Byrne, better known as ‘Gazza’, is an owner driver from Saggart, County Dublin, on the outskirts of Ireland’s capital. Gazza’s daily driver is a MAN 8×4 with a crane, which pulls a drawbar trailer for the delivery of concrete blocks to sites mainly in the Dublin area on contract for Roadstone, Ireland’s largest supplier of construction and building materials. He has worked in the industry for most of his life and followed in his father’s footsteps, who still has his own MAN truck, working out of the same location.

It’s fair to say that MAN trucks are in Gazza’s blood, as along with his work vehicle, he also owns three classic MAN tractor units; a 1987-registered 16.291, a 1987 19.362 and the Roadhaus 19.464 pictured. The high-roof Roadhaus model was an underrated truck that offered excellent living space but sold in low numbers in Ireland. Gazza’s truck originally began its life as a rigid-bodied truck doing concert movements for Stardes Transport from England. Gazza bought the truck for a very reasonable price, then had the chassis shortened, converting it to a tractor unit with a lifting tag axle.

The tee-totalling Dub was on his way home from the Kelsall Steam Rally in Chester, England, with Paul O’Callaghan along for the ride when another round of photographs was suggested. Gazza is a shining example of an upbeat driver who loves to share a laugh.