Old School Trucks: Talley's Group — Part 2

By: Dean Middleton, Photography by: Dean Middleton

1 5 This Freightliner Argosy was one of the flagships of the fleet at the time and doubled as the transporter of the John McIntyre V8 Racing Team nationally during the racing seasons 1 5
2 5 Century Class Freightliners were also part of the Talley’s fleet armoury 2 5
3 5 The only Freightliner Coronado to join the fleet was an impressive addition at the time 3 5
4 6 Facelift Argosys also joined the fleet; this 8x4 Hardsided truck and trailer unit was pictured brand-new in 2017 4 6
5 5 Another ‘Cheesegrater’ grill Argosy on its way to the Lyttelton Port with another export container loaded with Talley’s products 5 5
6 5 A Talley’s fleet photo of (the then) Freightliner dominated fleet back in 2011 6 5
7 6 A Xmas fleet line-up of the Talley’s Fleet in 2015, showing a huge growth in numbers in four years 7 6
8 5 This Motueka-baed R620 Scania B-Train combo is pictured posing at the 2017 Nelson Truck Show 8 5
9 5 Another R620, however, this unit was Ashburton-based and pictured at the 2017 Ashburton Truck Show 9 5
10 5 Several DAFs have found their way into the fleet over the last decade or so 10 5
11 5 One of the sharp International 9800s originally set up for container work towing skeletal B-Trains 11 5
12 5 Quad/quad units are a popular combination in the Talley’s fleet... 12 5
13 5 ... as are nine-axle truck and trailer units 13 5
14 5 A superb Talley’s line-up at the 2017 Christchurch Truck Show 14 5
15 5 The Talley’s brand is immaculately presented on their units when getting down the road 15 5
16 5 2019 saw the introduction of the new generation Scanias; this G500 is pictured near-new at the Ashburton Truck Show 16 5
17 5 Flat decks are also utilised in the current fleet as seen with this near-new G500 Scania back in October 2022 17 5
18 5 An impressive S-cabbed top-of-the-line 730hp Scania pictured on the go in late 2021 18 5
19 5 Sister company Halls combined with their Talley’s counterparts and lined up 18 spotless units for the 2022 Christchurch Truck show 19 5

Moving into the 2000s Talley’s Group Limited started testing out Swedish brand, Scania, which dominates their fleet to this day

During the 2000s, the Talley’s transport fleet remained predominantly Freightliner and Hino, with the DAF brand making an appearance along with other Japanese brands in the metro fleet.

There was also a pair of near-identical International 9800s put on the road to pull HPMV six-axle skeletal B-trains on container duties, however, the preferred brand of choice going forward was already entering the fleet.

Scania entered the fleet in significant numbers and the Swedish brand dominates the fleet to this day. Arguably, the ‘Godfather’ of the Scanias in the fleet is the 730hp tall S-cab nine-axle truck and trailer unit, however, in saying this, it’s hard to fault any of the fine examples of the brand since they were introduced into the fleet.

The presentation of the Talley’s fleet is second to none and the marketing arm of the company has definitely nailed the brief by utilising the transport division as stunning mobile billboards that make for an impressive sight on our roads.

Public exposure is enhanced even more as a large portion of the fleet are regular contributors to most of the truck shows held in the South Island of the country, and on some occasions, free ice cream is handed out to the punters from the back of one of the freezer units making for some great PR work.

So, the next time you’re re at the frozen foods section of your local supermarket and see the Talley’s brand in the freezer, remember that you’re buying 100% New Zealand Owned and 100% New Zealand Grown.

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