Old School Trucks: Summerland Express—Part 2

By: Dean Middleton, Photography by: Dean Middleton

The super impressive big blue ex-demonstrator MAN 26.540—the first of its kind in the country—pictured at the Alexandra Truck Show in 2005 The super impressive big blue ex-demonstrator MAN 26.540—the first of its kind in the country—pictured at the Alexandra Truck Show in 2005
A more standard 26.480 MAN still looking impressive in Summerland’s own livery and pictured at the same 2005 Truck Show A more standard 26.480 MAN still looking impressive in Summerland’s own livery and pictured at the same 2005 Truck Show
A later Model 26.480 Man, aptly named ‘MAN UP’, pictured in 2012 A later Model 26.480 Man, aptly named ‘MAN UP’, pictured in 2012
Iveco became a popular brand in the mid-2000s with new and second-hand purchases Iveco became a popular brand in the mid-2000s with new and second-hand purchases
Slice of Heaven’ came into the fleet when Summerland acquired the Cyril Kenworthy and Sons’ Christchurch-based container/swinglift company Slice of Heaven’ came into the fleet when Summerland acquired the Cyril Kenworthy and Sons’ Christchurch-based container/swinglift company
An Iveco Powerstar 6500, which also came across from the Kenworthy fleet An Iveco Powerstar 6500, which also came across from the Kenworthy fleet
A later model Iveco Powerstar named ‘Lowburn Ferry’ A later model Iveco Powerstar named ‘Lowburn Ferry’
An interesting name was given to this Iveco Stralis—‘Green eggs and ham’ An interesting name was given to this Iveco Stralis—‘Green eggs and ham’
A later model Iveco Stralis 500 pictured in 2018 A later model Iveco Stralis 500 pictured in 2018
The early 2000s saw an influx of Sterlings into the Summerland fleet; this one was CAT-powered and named ‘Purr Louie’ The early 2000s saw an influx of Sterlings into the Summerland fleet; this one was CAT-powered and named ‘Purr Louie’
‘Saint Louie’ was near identical but was Detroit-powered ‘Saint Louie’ was near identical but was Detroit-powered

In the second instalment of Summerland Express Freight, Deals on Wheels look at the makes and models that dominated the fleet through the 2000s

MAN badges found their way into the bright lime green fleet, however, one of the most distinctive trucks to ever sport the Summerland’s signwriting was a stunning metallic blue 26.540 tractor unit, which was an ex-demonstrator and just happened to be to first full-sized MAN cab in the country.

This unique truck, which hit the road in 2005, did not fail to turn heads wherever it travelled.
Ivecos also became popular during this time. Some of the influx of this brand was due to the acquisition of Cyril Kenworthy and Sons’ Christchurch-based container/swinglift company with which several were inherited.

While MAN and Iveco had a big presence during this time, the dominant brand became Sterlings with many entering the fleet in the 2000s. The Sterling brand was derived from Ford, which had the Louisville models, and Summerland used this heritage to name their Sterlings, which all had ‘Louie’ at the end of their names.

The Sterlings were popular and proved to be good workhorses with several of them still running in the fleet to this day. Sterlings were eventually discontinued as a truck brand, but even before this happened, another brand made began making headway into the Summerland’s fleet. Next month, we take a look at some lime green examples of this among a couple of others.

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