Cherry Black — Dwayne and Kim Shanahan’s Mack Superliner

Dwayne and Kim Shanahan’s Cherry Black Mack Superliner stands out on the road and at the Koroit Truck Show.

Words by Chris Smith. Photography by Chris Smith.

The seaside town of Warrnambool set the scene of this shoot of Dwayne & Kim Shanahan’s “Cherry Black” Mack Superliner.

The now nine-month old truck received glowing reports from the judges at the recent Koroit Truck Show. The Mack came runner up in the 6 – 12mths category amongst a strong field of quality Mack trucks.

Dwayne has been an owner driver for two years and this is his second truck that he has had.

He says he has been in the transport industry for 20 years, starting off the first decade driving little delivery trucks before upgrading to the bigger gear.

“I was driving for a company and the work was beginning to dry up and I was looking for work,” he explains. The person that he was getting work off suggested he find his own truck and come work for him as a subcontractor.

He did, it was one of DRT’s trucks that he first bought, an old Kenworth.

He reckons it served him well and got him to the position he is in now, trading it in to buy his new Superliner.

Dwayne says he has always had a soft spot for Macks so he thought he would take a gamble and buy one.

It seems like that gamble certainly paid off.

“I’ve always had a sort of a soft spot for Macks. I don’t know, just thought I’d try one and see how it went, and I love it,” he says.

This one is definitely an eye catching piece of equipment helped out by the “Cherry Black” paint that changes hue with the sunlight. Its appeal is helped by the extras put on by the dealership and those supplied by SLS Custom Stainless.

SLS has grown its product list of DIY fitment solutions which are a handy source for dealerships and individual operators to access quality bolt on accessories.

His Mack sports a 14” SLS drop visor along with some bonnet blinker backing plates, cab door handle trims and centre windscreen strip.

The Superliner also features 7” twin stacks and twin air cleaners giving it perfect symmetry and a very tough look. Chrome tank straps, tank steps, custom tool box covers, a chrome AdBlue tank and a Chris Barron bullbar set it off nicely.

It also has a Viesa cooling unit to keep Dwayne comfortable in the warmer months.

Dwayne says he is very happy with the Superliner which drives almost like a car.

“I love the mDrive, it’s just like driving a car, anyone can drive it,” he tells Australian Custom Trucks.

Although there are a few different setting options for the automated mDrive gearbox, Dwayne hasn’t felt the need to experiment.

“I haven’t stuffed around with the programs on it, I just leave it the way it is,” he says, “Comparing it to the old Kenworth, even just driving the Mack is so much easier. With the old Kenworth for example you would have to have both hands on the steering wheel for you to steer the vehicle, with this you could drive it with your little finger,” he says.

There is plenty of power on tap with the MP10 engine running at 685 hp and with ample torque of 2,300 lb-ft.

Dwayne says it is perfect for running tipper combinations including super stags.

Dwayne’s son Eddie was on hand as well and reckons he’ll be getting his licence when his dad gets another nice truck like this!

Rear Vision: where are they now?

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