Southpac Legends

Mike Gillespie stands out as a legendary figure at Southpac Trucks. With over 35 years of experience in the industry, his journey from starting out as a certified mechanic in Timaru to becoming their South Island Sales Manager is a testament to his dedication, expertise, and passion for trucking – that and him clocking up over 70,000km on the road each year.

Born and raised in Timaru, Mike’s fascination with trucks began at an early age. After completing his training as a certified mechanic, he found himself working as a mechanic salesman for Leo Leonard motors back in the PDL Mustang days.

“I always wanted to get into trucks,” says Mike. “We were doing lig... ... 

When it comes to signwriting, to say Mt Maunganui-based Truck Sign’s owner Cliff Mannington ‘has a gift’ is a huge understatement. Not only has his work been seen as far away as Europe, but with over three decades in the industry, there’s an estimated 3,000 trucks bearing his designs. Yet signing trucks still gives him butterflies – which is why he’s a Southpac legend.

Thanks in part to his father, Cliff is a self-confessed ‘truck nut from way back’, but he’s also ‘always been good at drawing’. 

“My dad had trucks when I was a little kid, so I just grew up around them, sort of live and breathe diesel. I wanted to be a truckie like my dad, but he said `n... ... 

Continuing with our theme of legendary Kenworth trucks, this time we follow the journey of a 1966 K923. Not only was it NZ’s first K-Model Kenworth cabover, but it was also too wide to be allowed on NZ roads. Here’s the story of chassis number 82592, another Southpac Legend.

This 1966 Kenworth K923 was a standout of its time. Not only was 82592 the 13th Kenworth to come to NZ, but it was also the starting point for the large cabover market share held by Kenworth today and now being extended by the new generation K220.

It was also a Newark Cab Kenworth, so had no fibreglass. Current owner and restorer Craig Gordon explains: “My understanding is that this mode... ... 

Not only does Rodney ‘the lifter’ Kempthorne – of family-run Heavy Metal Haulage fame –have a determined work ethic and a passion for the trucking industry, but he was almost born in the cab of his dad’s truck. He is certainly a Southpac Legend.

You could say that Rodney was destined to be in the trucking world. His father founded and ran E.E Kempthorne, a rural carrying business, and his two older brothers, Alan, and Max, also made the transport industry their careers. However, the clincher would have to be the unconventional way he came into the world.

Rodney says, “when we were kids, our parents had a carrying business in Ngāhinapōuri, and the old man was... ... 

Between running two large fleets, having membership of multiple industry and community groups across New Zealand and being the executive member and president of two branches of Transporting NZ, Campbell ‘Bill’ Gilmour of Pacific Haulage/Gilmour Transport fame seems to do nothing by half. But he’s also a humble guy that appreciates all the people that have helped him along the way – and for that, he’s a Southpac legend.

Campbell Gilmour was born in the deep south of Invercargill, however, grew up and did most of his formative schooling years in Alexandra. Even from an early age he says that he was obsessed with trucks.

“As long as I remember I was always mad ... ...