1984 Peterbilt 359 (Rick & Delice Sauerwald)

In-depth

21 Jul

Rick Sauerwald from Adelaide is a diesel mechanic by trade but like many of his ilk, the wide open spaces called and he swapped the workshop for the road. That was thirty-six years ago and over that period Rick has driven for many companies, including Cootes, BOC Gases, Ampol, Caltex and Titan Bulk Haulage.

The thought crossed his mind a few years back that he wouldn’t mind owning a truck for history’s sake. His initial thoughts were along the lines of the Bedford or similar.

“It was to be my toy. Then one day I was looking at some trucks in America on-line and the prices of them pricked my interest. My wife, Delice, then suggested that if we were going to buy something it should have a sleeper cab on it so we could stay over at truck shows and the like.

“So she inspired me to go a bit bigger than a Bedford. I initially looked at Kenworth as well as Peterbilt but there were some restrictions on importing the Kenny’s into Australia. I did find a Peterbilt in Missouri but that ended up falling through.

“Then I met a stranger who told me that there was one at Rosebud in Victoria. The guy had never put it on the road. He apparently had some marriage troubles and needed to part with the vehicle. Job done.

“This bloke had bought the truck off a guy at Bundalong (V) who had imported two Peterbilt’s and a trailer. The trailer was a NASCAR transporter and my truck, at the end of its life in the States, was a NASCAR Hauler for a small team - Studio 33 Motorsports. That’s possibly why the truck has the flames on its bonnet.

“I then had to jump through the loops of getting it registered it here. The truck is, of course left-hand drive, which wasn’t a problem, but there are stipulations about the use of it. You can’t use it to make a profit but that’s fine. So now it’s is registered on the road with historic plates.”

**Rick with his two classics. The Ford is a South African ‘Fairmont GT’. And it’s for sale. Interested? Contact kermie@truckinwithkermie.com and we’ll pass your details on.**

The Peterbilt is a 1984 build, 359. It has a 425 hp caterpillar under the bonnet with a 13 speed overdrive gearbox and 3.9 difs. Initially Rick had to do some mechanical repairs on the front end to get it past roadworthy. Being a qualified mechanic he was able to do that himself.

**Master Craftsman, the late and great Kenny Reeves.**

“Then the late, great Kenny Reeves from Deer Park in Melbourne did all the interior custom trim. I’ve done whatever else needed doing. It’s now got all stainless guards, a new exhaust and a new bumper bar. I put a fridge in under the bunk which it never had. Just practical things like that.”

The truck has a 63 inch bunk which initially had a king-single bed in it. Rick and Delice have since swapped that out for a queen size bed. In going to shows the couple have run across people like Ronnie Graham and Bernie Learson who have converted trailers into a home away from home.

**The late, great Kenny Reeves’ handiwork in progress**

“So we went and bought a trailer. Luckily my wife is totally on board - it’s not just her letting me go. I’m really impressed with that because I know many women wouldn’t even entertain the thought. It is Delice’s project as much as mine. She picks colours and she’s always drawing designs and looking at all those Tiny House shows on TV for different ideas. It’s a passion for both of us.”

Rick has no intention of converting a truck to right-hand steer unless he has to. “It’s a $25,000 saving and for that sort of money we get a lot of house on the back. If I’m pushed by bureaucracy then obviously I would have to, but I don’t have a plan at this stage. I’m happy to leave it as it is - as a classic old American truck.”

The truck has treated the couple well over the intervening years. “There’s obviously a fuel component which is the biggest expense the historic club registration and insurance make it viable.

“It has opened up a whole fraternity of like-minded folk. We’ve met some terrific people already and there will be a lot more to come no doubt. There is also a wealth of information exchanged along the way. There’s contacts, parts availability and knowledge. I’ve also reconnected with people I’d lost contact with, all through the brand called Peterbilt. It is bringing us a lot of joy.

Rick’s daily drive is a Kenworth Aerodyne for Collins Adelaide. “I’ve had about 30 years in dangerous goods and I made a change last November by choice. The fuel industry is not what it used to be. There was once a bit of prestige attached to it, but now I think it’s gone backwards a bit, so thought I’d go do something else. Oddly enough - which surprised many people - there is not a lot of difference in the money. So now I’m hauling capsicums, cucumbers and such. I’ve become Con the Fruiterer.

“Collins are a great company. They are still a family show, although with 500 employees. But when push comes to shove there are still family values there. You can take your wife with you on a trip which you can’t do in many places these days. Their maintenance and vehicle appearance is number one.

So Rick has the best of both worlds. He knows how much money is coming in each week and has one hell of a toy to play around with on the weekends and to go away on holiday in.

“We are hoping to get it (the trailer) finished in the next six months and do a lap. Mind you I’ve had it for five years and it’s about four years past where I thought it was going to be complete.”