Our first new inductee into the Bridgestone Million Mile Club this month is this extremely tidy 2001 Kenworth K104 stock unit. Originally specced and built for David Pope Cartage Contractors of Greytown, the combination was a striking sight, especially with its white dedicated two- deck cattle boxes, set against the blue of the big Aerodyne cab.

David explains how the truck was ordered through Tom Kerr. “Both myself and Graham Suisted, who was getting the truck to drive, were taken by Tom across to Melbourne to see it come off the assembly line at Bayswater. That was great to experience. We specced it with a Cat, as I had had a good run with the Cats in the Fodens, as well as an old Leader, so in went the C15.”

Graham put the first 640,000km on the clock, running cattle to the works at Hawera or Hastings. “The unit was set up by Trevor Jackson and the team in Pahiatua, with Nationwide boxes. The combination handled like it was sitting on rails. The trailer was built with super-single axles; this gave us extra chassis width, so we were able to fit a 1300mm turntable which really helped the stability.”

The truck, still sporting a coat of blue paint and Gordon Transport livery, now resides within the Midlands Rural Transport fleet near Taupo. In the care of Midlands, the K104 has had quite a makeover. A full chassis-up restoration and repaint of the truck was recently completed, with the opportunity being taken to replace and repair worn parts during that process. A fresh C15 with Brake Saver has also been fitted, giving it a new lease of life as well as adding to its capabilities.

When we talked to Gordon’s driver Brianna Bradshaw about her trusty steed, she was quick to say how privileged she feels to be the current custodian of the K104.

“Yeah, it is a pretty special truck all right; it’s an absolute dream. That’s the reality of it, because I won’t ever get another one like it. They are an end- of-an-era truck, and it’s an absolute privilege to have this one to drive. I am making the most of every day I have behind the wheel of it.”

We could not agree more, they really are a cool truck to drive, and once they are gone, they are gone – so enjoying every minute you get behind the wheel of it is definitely the right attitude. Let’s all keep our fingers crossed it’s around for another couple of million kilometres.