Deals on Wheels took a look at a rare Freightliner that has found its retirement spot in Rotorua with a pair of enthusiastic custodians
Keen-eyed Deals on Wheels reader Gene Batty contacted us after seeing Dean Middleton’s pic of his 2005 King Cab Century Class Freightliner in last month’s Old School Trucks spread (DOW394).
Back in its heyday the rig was owned by Foresight Automotive, running under the Freightlines livery. Fast forward to 2026, the truck has slipped through the hands of at least half a dozen owners, before finding its retirement parking spot in Rotorua with Gene and his partner Billie in June last year – although a miscommunication saw them miss out on an earlier purchase opportunity.
“We missed out on buying it a couple of years ago by just a week,” says Gene. “I think the owner back then thought we were tyre kickers and sold it to someone else.”
Subsequently making friends with the owner who beat them to the cashflow machine, the couple waited patiently until the truck came available again.
“We had an 8×4 Freightliner Argosy, which was more suitable for his needs, so we did a deal and everyone ended up happy,” says Gene.
The Penthouse
When the truck was put on the road and no doubt thanks to its impressive 120-inch integrated sleeper, the truck was aptly named ‘The Penthouse’. It must have been a regular head-turner when it first hit the road, as it still is. Even today, a bunkhouse of its size is not that common – especially when you take the three metres of headroom into account.
“I’ve always liked big sleeper trucks, and this one is the duck’s nuts,” says Gene. “It has a point of difference compared to others out there.”
With a flat floor and double bunks, it really must have been a comfortable environment compared to some of the other trucks on the road back in the day.
“I’m six foot-two and I can’t reach the top corner at the rear of the sleeper,” says Gene.
620hp
Right: Since arriving at its new home, the Freightliner is regularly worked on
The 2.2 million kilometres on the clock gives some idea of the contribution the truck has made to the freight industry over its lifetime, and I’m told the 620 horsepower Cummins Signature Class engine has been re-tuned up from the 550 it previously ran at.
“I haven’t actually given it a good run yet, so it will be interesting to see how it performs when out on the open road,” says Gene. “The engine runs really well, so I think work must have been carried out on it in the past.”
With only a bit over 300 kilometres run distance on the hubometer since Gene and Billie purchased the truck, neither the engine, Freightliner SmartShift transmission, nor the 46,000-pound rear ends are struggling under the stress of daily work.
Adding bling
Since arriving at its new home, the Freightliner is regularly worked on, with the addition of a new full set of guards, checker plating, new back bumper, numerous marker lights, and a pair of eight-inch stacks.
“Previously, it had an underbody exhaust system, so we installed the stacks – and being straight pipes, they sound great,” says Gene.
“There’s still a lot of things that need doing, like tweaking up the paintwork and a few other things, but we’re getting there with it. The interior hasn’t been touched much, with the exception of the blue LED dash lights. With the captain seats for the driver and passenger, the inside is still in very good condition.”
Future uses
If the owners did think about putting the truck to work, it would need shortened B-Double trailers to fit current length requirements, but being a truck in its retirement years, there are a few other uses for it the couple have in mind.
“Our intention is to have the truck at a standard so it can be presented at shows and used on truck runs,” says Gene. “But what we would be really nice is to purchase an old furniture trailer and customise it up.
“We like the idea of turning the front part of a trailer into living accommodation and leaving space in the rear to fit a classic car – or something like that. It would add a whole new dimension to the truck and allow us to spend time away from home comfortably.”
“I did suggest to Billie that she take the truck to Auckland and use for accommodation for some courses she is doing, but that didn’t go down too well.”
Whatever Gene and Billie decide to use the truck for, one thing is sure – and that is they have made a conscious decision to preserve a rare piece of New Zealand transport history with a truck that is sure to turn heads wherever it goes.’
Images supplied