They serve the nation with a fleet that reflects not just modern efficiency, but a deep reverence for trucking history and craftsmanship. According to Brett Marsh, the beating heart of this operation is the 2024 Kenworth SAR Legend, unit number 699, a truck that blends nostalgic aesthetics with contemporary performance.

Brett Marsh Transport is the culmination of a multi-generational commitment to the transport industry. The company was founded in 1990 by Brett and Leonie Marsh, both of whom possessed deep roots in the trucking world.

“We’re fourth generation transport,” Brett says, reflecting on a heritage that extends through both his side of the family and through Leonie’s parents, who also operated trucks.

This generational connection shaped Brett’s entire worldview. Unlike many entrepreneurs who stumble into their industry by chance, Brett grew up immersed in the trucking lifestyle. He says that growing up, the classroom held little appeal compared to the cab of a truck.

“School held little interest for me and I spent much of my time looking out of the window,” he says.

Inevitably, Brett got his licence as soon as he could and purchased his first truck on November 16, 1990, at just 22 years old, marking the official beginning of his entrepreneurial journey.

The early years saw the company initially establish itself in the tanker sector, a chapter that would conclude in 2007 after nearly two decades of operation. Following a brief, restless three-month hiatus, Marsh returned with renewed determination, purchasing a handful of trucks and setting the trajectory for modern Marsh Transport.

Today, Brett Marsh Transport operates about 30 trucks, and mainly from an operational base that reflects the company’s commitment to professionalism and modern infrastructure. It’s a purpose-built facility in the industrial area at Tauriko, just south of Tauranga. The 1000 square-metre building sits on a 5200sqm site and incorporates offices, workshop, wash bay and a covered freight-loading area, attached to which is a new warehouse storage facility and coolstore.

This current site has been sold, and Brett and Leonie purchased a new block of land two years ago in Tauriko, where they are building a new container yard, workshop facility and truck wash due to open next year.

While Brett Marsh Transport operates trucks from mainly two manufacturers, the company has firmly established itself within the Kenworth camp.

Brett recalls many years ago when he brought his first brand-new Kenworth, local trucking icon John Dynes told him that buying a Kenworth was like buying a plot of real estate and if you look after it will last forever.

Brett has lived by that saying all these years later. However, it must be said that Brett’s loyalty stems not from blind brand allegiance but from pragmatic, long-term economic strategy. In an industry where European trucks are often viewed as disposable assets, Brett Marsh Transport champions the “rebuild” philosophy.

“With the Kenworths, we rebuild them, chuck a motor in them, and just carry on, basically,” he says. “It’s cheaper to rebuild than European stuff.”

This approach allows Marsh to strip a truck down, repaint it, and breathe new life into the chassis – a sustainable strategy that keeps the fleet running efficiently while maintaining the classic aesthetic that both Brett and his drivers clearly admire.

The company even acquired a piece of Australian trucking history when the legendary Don Watson Transport of Australia was brought by Craig Satherley from Napier.

When Don Watson closed the doors, Leonie saw this on Facebook and said to Brett; “I’m buying this truck, we have to have it.” 

“So, it was purchased as it was Don Watson’s 200th Kenworth that carried the famous light blue and white livery. Recognising the historical significance, we thought we’d better have it because it’s a bit of an icon. And it was where Leonie chose our colour scheme years ago,” says Brett.

While on the matter of icons, it’s the crown jewel that we need to talk about. The 2024 Kenworth SAR Legend, unit number 699, represents the pinnacle of Brett Marsh Transport’s philosophy and commitment to excellence.

Brett says the purchase was driven by a sense of missed opportunity. He had previously bypassed the Legend 900 model, a decision he came to regret. So, when word reached him that the SAR Legend was in production, he acted immediately.

“I missed out on that Legend 900 because I mucked around too much and I should have bloody bought one,” he says.

“So as soon as these SARs came out, there was no way I was missing out on one.”

Aside from the obvious, in many ways Brett’s SAR Legend #699 is far more than a factory-standard truck – it is a masterpiece of customisation representing significant investment in both time and resources.

Brett and his team transformed the base unit into a bespoke workhorse, outfitting it with stainless steel accessories, custom tanks, and an array of ‘watermelon’ lights that enhance its distinct, old-school presence.

But perhaps the most significant modification was the custom-built B-train kit.

“We custom built a B-train kit, which includes integrated fridges,” Brett explains, saying it was designed to support the truck’s primary role, hauling produce and dairy products across the country.

The interior is equally striking, featuring a classic oxblood leather finish that perfectly complements the truck’s nostalgic exterior. Marsh notes the distinctive aesthetic; “There’s something about it. You’re driving a new truck, but it’s got the old look about it.”

The appeal is further amplified by meticulous attention to detail in branding.

“The decals and scrolls were not merely applied, they were expertly painted by Klos custom trucks in Melbourne, and they also fitted the stainless extras and extra lights - all the bling,” says Brett.

This commitment to craftsmanship extends to the trailers, which feature painted curtains and logos that create a cohesive, high-end look. The truck’s identity is completed with a custom license plate reading “SAR699.

When the truck arrived, Brett himself spent a month behind the wheel, describing the experience as “real cool”.

Saying that he particularly appreciated the tactile nature of the truck, noting the “old school doors with the windows” and the solid, reassuring way they shut.

The truck is now entrusted to Ash Orringe, a long-time employee whose dedication to the machine is evident in its immaculate condition. And despite its status as a prized possession, the SAR Legend is far from put on a pedestal. Rated at 615-horsepower, it regularly hauls 54 tonnes of freight across the country.

“Ash Orringe drives it and really looks after the gear. It’s immaculate.” says Brett.

Ash says he has been the primary operator of the Kenworth SAR #699 since May 2024.

“I picked it up with about 25,000km on the clock and now it’s over 330,000,” Ash says.

Ash is a self-described fan of “old school” trucks, a preference rooted in his early career driving W-model Kenworths. He finds that the SAR successfully captures that vintage spirit.

“It’s like it was back in the day, you know. So, it’s just you feel like you’re driving an `80s truck.”

However, Ash recognises that the SAR is far from a mere relic of the past. He appreciates the balance between classic appearance and modern utility.

“It’s not a W model cab. It’s got the P series dash and all that stuff on it. But it’s got the modern engine with the modern engine brake and all the better running gear than the old trucks that we had.”

As a “floater”, Ash’s role is remarkably diverse – ranging from hauling containers of hard cider to transporting produce and dairy products across the Taranaki-Auckland triangle and down to the South Island. This demanding role requires him to spend nearly every night in the truck’s 36-inch Aerodyne sleeper, something he is more than happy about.

The physical demands of long-haul trucking are not lost on Ash. He notes the clutch is “quite heavy,” which can be a “nuisance” due to a pre-existing ACL injury and arthritis in his left knee.

But despite these challenges, he remains firm in his preference for a manual transmission, stating matter of factly; “I wouldn’t drive an auto.”

With the odometer now reading approximately 332,000km, Ash feels the truck is “just worn in”, a reflection of both the quality of the Kenworth build and the meticulous care provided by Ash. He takes significant pride in the rig’s presentation, ensuring it is well-maintained and noting that people really notice it on the road; “The stripes across the sleeper and trailers makes it look the part when hooked up,” he says.

As for the long-term future of the SAR Legend, Brett Marsh has a clear vision. The truck is not destined for the auction block or a trade-in cycle. Instead, it’s a permanent fixture in the Marsh Transport legacy.

“We’ll be keeping it,” Brett says. “We’ve got some trucks that are going into the shed at home – this’ll be one of them.”

When the time comes for the SAR to retire from daily freight runs ‘and is paid off’, it will transition into a new role as a display piece in the company’s private collection, a fitting end for a truck treated with such reverence from the moment it was ordered.

Brett Marsh Transport and Kenworth SAR Legend #699 represent a philosophy that values longevity, craftsmanship, and the enduring spirit of the open road. For Brett, the SAR is not merely transportation equipment; it is “a chapter in a family history that is still being written.”