Pure Pride — Bobbins Transport’s custom fleet

The Bobbins Transport team takes pride in its trucks and keeps expanding with distinctive custom equipment.

Words by Chris Smith. Photography by Chris Smith.

Just about 30 clicks south of Bega is the town of Pambula in New South Wales situated over six hours away from both Melbourne and Sydney in the middle of seemingly nowhere. It’s known for its oysters, beaches and is entrenched in history. It’s a heavily forested region and where Bobbins Transport Pty Ltd started off carting logs from the Bombala area to the Eden chip mill.

Neville Bobbin got his truck licence in 1964 and by 1970 he had started his company with his wife Lyn driving his AA180 International.

The Company, now in its third generation, has grown from the one International in 1970 to a fleet of 28 interstate trucks, 13 rigid table-tops and 50 trailers including fridge vans, drop decks and tautliners.

Bobbins haul refrigerated goods including fish, oysters, cheese, frozen foods and produce as well as carting general freight, machinery, timber, bricks and palletised freight for warehouse storage.

Last year I was quietly chugging on a beer watching the open fire when I got a call out of the blue from Brendon Bobbin, Neville’s son. Brendon had asked his son Phillip which magazine he wanted to feature their two Legends in, a 950 and a 900 as well as a Big Cab 2015 K200 Kenworth.

The answer came quickly… “Australian Custom Trucks Magazine Dad!” Sure enough, the warm fuzzy feeling came over me, and it wasn’t from the beer, but the logistics of getting to Pambula caused a bit of concern, get your map out, it is a long way away.

Bobbins Transport Manager Adam Twyford is heavily involved with the South Coast Convoy and he suggested we kill two birds with one stone. It was an opportunity to set-up our mobile shop as well as an opportunity to meet up with the Bobbins family in person and get a story done. Sure enough we made the trek and met with the crew from Bobbins Transport and lots of other operators. One of the outstanding traits the Bobbins drivers all have is the pride in keeping their rides looking impeccable. Phillip Bobbin drives the 900 Legend, Justin Smith the 950 and Gary Peters is in the K200 Big Cab.

For the three trucks Albury based RC Metalcraft provided the bling including the tanks, all the added stainless and the lights.

Custom Air in Melbourne provided the sleeper aircon and fridge units and Gippsland Truck Centre provided the finishing touches explains Bobbins Transport. The trucks are all painted in the exceptionally cool company colours with the T900 aptly named “No Words Needed”.

The scroll work and signage was done locally by Dirks Signs from Pambula. Up the front the 900 has a Kentweld bumper while the K200 Big Cab is protected by a Bar Up bullbar.

The Bobbins trucks featured use X15 Euro 5 Cummins engines rated at 600 hp combined with 18-speed Road Ranger gearboxes. The three trucks are featured in the photo on this page with an extra truck that will be featured in an upcoming issue of Australian Custom Trucks magazine.

Rear Vision: where are they now?

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