Eye Catcher: Tony Innaimo’s custom Kenworth fleet

Words: Anthony John-Pier · Photography: C5 Photography

Tony Innaimo’s trucks have moved from all white to a new motif after buying two eye catching 904s and a 408 Kenworth from Ken Coggan. Anthony John-Pier reports for Australian Custom Trucks.

There are some trucks that jump out at you and catch your eye, smart looking rigs that are well looked after and Tony Innaimo’s Kenworths fit that bill. The fleet consists of 30 trucks, 19 of which are prime movers and it’s the four latest trucks to join the fleet that turn heads.

“Everything we had was white. Then about four years ago I had the opportunity to buy Ken Coggan’s two 904s and a 408. “Coggo’s” trucks had always been eye catchers and we thought we might change to the same colour scheme. We painted the new T909 and K200 Big Cab in these colours, it’s a great, smart colour scheme, and they look great with a set of B-double trailers painted in the same colours,” Tony told Australian Custom Trucks.

Dylan Hurley from Brown & Hurley in Coffs Harbour made sure the new Barker trailers looked just as impressive as the trucks.

Tony is based in Canberra and Australian Custom Trucks first saw his trucks down at the Bega Convoy for Kids where we managed to line all four painted trucks up for a shoot. Recently we spoke to Tony at Canberra’s Convoy for Kids and did a shoot with a B-double. Innaimo’s had 11 trucks in the Convoy and Tony was rapt that his drivers had spent all week and Saturday shining up their trucks.

“They didn’t have to do it all but they wanted to, they did it not only for themselves but wanted to make sure they looked good for the kids and that’s what the Convoy is all about. It is very satisfying, especially when the fleet gets to this size, that they are still looking good. It was great to see all the drivers in the yard getting together and looking after their gear,” Tony said.

It was very obvious that he takes a lot of pride in his trucks, his people and his business.

“I love trucks and always have, I think trucking is in your blood, it’s pretty easy to get into trucks but you can’t get away from them,” Tony said with a broad smile. Tony is hands on and is running the highway with the other drivers.

“Yeah, I’m not much of an office man, but I do when I have to. My best mate Mick Hogan runs the show for me and we are in touch pretty constantly, but I love trucks and being behind the wheel,” he said.

Tony originally started with his Dad Frank, doing tipper work with an old S-line he bought.

“I have only sold one truck since I started in 1994.

We have still got the S-line and we progressed from there. Everything I bought I just kept, I have done them up and refurbished them, we have the ‘92 model S-Line, some 2000 and 2004 Kenworths, and T900s in the fleet,” he said proudly.

A 2001 Freightliner was Tony’s first new truck.

The first new Kenworth was a 2004 Aerodyne.

“They are a great truck. Not only do they look great, they perform just as well.

We don’t have too many dramas with the Kenworths and drivers like them,” he said.

The two latest Kenworths to join the fleet are a K200 Big Cab and a T909. Tony went to a bit of trouble with the new trucks.

“We wanted the trucks to stand out so we did a couple of different things to them. I am a firm believer in chrome rims and wraps, you pay a little extra but it works out better in the long term. It’s not that hard to keep the trucks clean, you wash them and they come up shiny. It’s just a lot less time polishing and you don’t spend time standing there with a buffer like the older trucks. We have our mechanic ask when we are going to put some more chrome on the older trucks,” he said.

The two new Kenworths’ sign writing was done by Bob Conway and the bling was added by Rob at RC Metalcraft in Albury.

“Rob decided to change the step brackets and on a wrapped tank it looks very neat. It is important to make sure that the whole thing remains functional. The rear mud guards look great and are highlighted by the tail light bar. Rob designs and manufactures all the stainless for the trucks plus the drop visors. Grant Nicholl from Shiney’s Truck Detailing at Wagga does the polishing for us, he has been looking after the trucks for a few years now and does a great job. With Shiney doing the polishing it makes it easier on the drivers.”

“I am very lucky that I have a great group of employees who work for us, most of the drivers have been with me for years. The drivers respect the trucks and it shows in the way they are presented. If you are going to drive one, you need to have pride in what you drive,” Tony affirmed.

At the Convoy for Kids in Canberra it was a chance for Tony and his drivers to give to a great cause and show off their rigs.

“It’s all for the kids and not anyone else, kids are suffering through cancer and we support the convoy to raise as much money as possible. It’s a great opportunity for people who don’t normally see trucks up close to have a good look. We go right through Canberra and there are people lined up waving, looking up at the shining rigs, it gives you a buzz, people looking and admiring.”

Rear Vision: where are they now?

Do you know where this truck is today, or have an update on its story? We would love to hear from its owners, drivers or anyone who helped build it.