From fertiliser to freight: The early years

It’s hard to believe that the polished, gold-liveried fleet we see today started with a humble Mercedes-Benz 1113 four-wheel-drive. John Lockley’s journey began back in the early 80s, cutting his teeth in the bulk fertiliser spreading game.

“I started a few years ago, boy, in ‘82 or ‘3, something like that,” John laughs, recalling the early days.

Before the industry deregulation that reshaped the New Zealand transport landscape, John was knee-deep in livestock cartage, running a V8 Perkins Dodge with a two-axle trailer.

“It was very slow, but we got there,” he jokes. 

When deregulation hit, John pivoted to general freight, establishing the Auckland-to-Wellington run that has become the backbone of his operation for the last 40 years. He says it was a different era – the trucks were simpler, the roads were tougher, and the hours were long.

John’s progression through the machinery of the time reads like a history lesson in New Zealand trucking: from that Mercedes 1113 to the Perkins-powered Leyland, and eventually into the heavy-duty linehaul work that defines his business today.

The Kenworth connection

Ask John if he’s a “Kenworth guy,” and the answer is an emphatic, “Yeah, yeah, yeah.” While he’s piloted everything from Ford Cargos to International Navistars (the latter affectionately dubbed “the poor man’s Kenworth” back in the day) the brand loyalty solidified years ago.

The turning point was a second-hand 1981 Kenworth W924.

“I’ve had that one now for 29 years,” John says. That truck, converted from a bulk tipper to a tractor unit, sparked a love affair with the brand that has seen the fleet grow to seven active Kenworths, with an eighth currently enjoying a well-earned rest in the yard.

The fleet renewal strategy, however, wasn’t just about aesthetics.

“I started paying too much tax,” John admits with a grin. “I said to the girls [his wife Irene and two daughters], `we’re gonna have to start buying some new gear’.” 

The result became a fleet of modern, high-spec machines that keep the business running like clockwork. It’s a pragmatic approach to business that has kept John Lockley Transport at the top of its game for decades.

The Legends - Gold Rush and Gold Nugget

The crown jewels of the Lockley fleet are undoubtedly the two Kenworth Legends: a T900 and a W900 SAR and both carry the build number 159. To him, these aren’t just trucks; they are pieces of history, meticulously maintained and put to work on the demanding Auckland-Wellington run.

“I wouldn’t have minded the 950 when they came on the market, but they only had them for 70 hours or something,” John explains.

Having missed that window, he made sure he was ready when the T900 and SAR Legends were announced. He wasn’t going to let the opportunity slip by twice.

John’s Legend T900, affectionately named Gold Rush Legend, is a machine that commands respect. It’s not just a showpiece; it’s a workhorse that has clocked over 1.2 million kilometres. When the T900 Legend was released, John knew it had to be part of the fleet. It’s a truck that captures the essence of the classic Kenworth design, blended with the reliability of modern engineering.

“I had to drive that, according to my two daughters,” John recalls.

It’s his pride and joy, a truck he knows inside and out; “It’s a real enjoyable truck to drive. It doesn’t matter who hops on and drives it, they all enjoy driving it. It’s just one of those trucks, you know.”

Then there’s the W900 SAR Legend, the Gold Nugget Legend. This truck holds a special place in the fleet, not just for its stunning appearance but for its connection to the heritage of the SAR model. “I had to call it the Gold Nugget Legend,” John says, referencing the original Australian release.

The SAR Legend is driven by Julia MacFarlane, a key member of the team who has been with the company for seven or eight years. It’s a testament to the quality of the truck that it’s entrusted to such a long-standing driver. With around 500,000 kilometres on the clock, it’s proving its worth on the road, just like its T900 sibling.

Built for the long haul

These Legends aren’t just about the badge; they are spec’d for the reality of New Zealand transport. Both units feature factory gold paint with custom striping, brown vinyl interiors matching original factory trims, 50-inch sleeper cabs, 18-speed manual transmissions, and 46-160 rear axles.

“I run 50-inch sleepers on the old trucks actually, because we’re away from home all week,” John says.

“I didn’t want anything light about them. I kept them heavy so they last longer.”

It’s a philosophy that permeates the entire fleet. John doesn’t believe in cutting corners. He builds trucks that are designed to endure, to handle the heavy loads and the long hours, and to look good doing it.

The attention to detail is evident. The paintwork, done at the factory and finished with custom striping, gives them that unmistakable “Lockley” look. And the interiors he says are; “Just like leather but are a vinyl material like the old trucks I’ve had,” John explains. 

A family affair

Transport is in the Lockley blood. John and Irene’s daughters, Amy and Anna, grew up in the cab.

“When they were about ten years old, they came up and said to me, `Dad, can we come and drive for you?’” 

When they were ready, he put them in the International Navistar and the S-Line 2670. Today, Anna is still a fixture in the business, currently piloting a T610 SAR Kenworth.

It’s a family business in the truest sense, where the trucks are more than just assets, they’re part of the family history. The daughters have been involved in the fleet’s evolution, even influencing the purchase of new trucks.

When John wanted to give Anna a T909, she had other ideas. “She didn’t want the 909. She said, ‘I want a T610 SAR’.”

It’s this kind of collaborative spirit that keeps the business moving forward.

The night shift: The invisible fleet

If you’re wondering why, you don’t see the Lockley fleet at every truck show, it’s because they’re busy working.

“Ninety per cent of the trucks run at nighttime,” John explains. “That’s why people don’t know we exist, which is probably a good thing in some ways.”

That said, the trucks are hard to miss. With their factory gold paint and custom striping, they turn heads whenever they venture out in the daylight.

“People will pass you, and the next couple of kays down the road, they park on the side of the road, taking a bloody photo,” John laughs.

That’s the impact these trucks have; they aren’t just transport; they’re an event.

The legacy continues

From the early days of the Perkins Dodge to the gleaming gold Legends of today, John Lockley has built more than just a transport company; he’s built a legacy. It’s about knowing when to pivot and yet maintaining a standard that is increasingly rare in today’s fast-paced world.

The decision to invest in the Legends wasn’t just about buying a truck; it was about preserving a piece of trucking history.

“They’ll never make any more of them, you know,” John says. “That’s why I bought them. And the trucks will stay in the fleet forever and a day.”

And that’s the heart of the Lockley philosophy. It’s about longevity, about quality, and about the pride of ownership. Whether it’s the T900 Gold Rush or the W900 SAR Gold Nugget, these trucks are a reflection of the man who owns them, tough and reliable.

So, the next time you’re driving down the Auckland-Wellington highway at night, keep an eye out for the gold. It might just be a Lockley truck, carrying a load of freight and a whole lot of history. And if you’re lucky enough to see one in the daylight, don’t forget to pull over and take a photo. Just don’t be surprised if you’re not the only one. After all, legends like these don’t come around every day.