Larsen’s Truck Sales is now the proud owner of a beautifully restored 1987 Peterbilt 379 to match the truck that has been the centrepiece of its logo for several years.
When Melbourne used truck dealer David Larsen launched his own business four years ago, he knew he needed a logo. David had always been a fan of American workhorses, and on a trip to the States he saw a particular Peterbilt prime mover that caught his eye.
He snapped a photo of the bright blue truck and from that photo came the logo that now stands proud on Larsen’s Truck Sales in Dandenong.
As the four years have gone by Larsen’s Trucks has brought through the yard just about every truck you can imagine, from car-licence trays to the largest prime movers.
But there was one truck he didn’t have: one to match his logo. He’s got it now; a 1987 Peterbilt 379, imported from Los Angeles.
“We’ve now got a replica for our logo,” says David, proudly. “It’s a shiny bomb.”
David is a no-nonsense guy, honest and to the point, and is modestly dismissive of the quite extraordinary restoration work done to the truck.
His “shiny bomb” is a thing of beauty, and was lovingly rebuilt by David’s good mate Andrew Steffensen, of Transmatt Detailing.
“We striped it right back, did the whole truck up: engine, transmission, painted and detailed,” says David.
The striking metallic blue Peterbilt is a single drive, has a 3406 Caterpillar engine and an 18-speed Eaton transmission.
It made its public debut at the Alexandra Truck Show last year, where it wooed the crowd. The polished chrome trimmings glint in the sun and the interior is testament to a long-gone era, with the retro controls inducing memories of the 70s, before the advent of air-conditioning, AdBlue or any Euro emissions standards. And out on the road it goes. It really goes.
A FAMILY AFFAIR
When David says he’s got trucking in his blood, he means it. His grandfather and father both had trucks. David has worked in trucking for 30 years. He started off as a diesel mechanic for Melbourne-based Detroit Diesel and worked his way up to running one of the biggest used truck dealerships in the country before going out alone.
He says he knew the time was right. “The previous company I worked for had dealerships all round the country and I was never home. I went on holiday with my kids, came back and knew it was over. When you know it’s time, it’s time.”
Two of David’s sons, Jake and Brad, aged 23 and 21 respectively, work at the business, along with Larsen’s daughter Taylah.
The team also includes Darren McColl and John Defries, who have both worked with Larsen long term, and just about count as family.
The kids have inherited their dad’s enthusiasm and devotion to trucks, which David reckon is no surprise.
“As a kid you want to play with trucks and cars, it’s natural. You’ve got to make a job fun,” he says.
The fun had at work is evident, with a pool table, bar and an enviable collection of classic cars decorating the showroom.
An Americana feel prevails, right down to a model Elvis shimmying atop the stairs.
According to David, the tight family connection ultimately translates to better accountability and customer service.
Customers know that the buck stops with David, but having his kids as the next conduit down means you’ve always got a direct line to the top.
“I want to empower them to do the job. When someone rings here it doesn’t matter who they talk to, they will always get treated with the same respect a customer deserves because they’re actually talking to my heart. My kids have my heart and my back,” he says.
MORE THAN JUST SELLING TRUCKS
No one would argue that buying a used truck is a big investment for anyone, and that you don’t always get the outcome you’re after. You want to make sure you drive away in the right vehicle.
For David it’s not just about selling someone a truck, it’s about selling them the right truck, and that’s where the point of difference is.
“The first thing we’ll ask you is ‘what are you looking to do?’ And not everyone knows what they want straight away. If you don’t know exactly what you need you can very well go away with the wrong truck,” he says.
David draws upon his extensive knowledge of the trucking industry to help customers chose the right truck.
“It’s that knowledge and service that our customers appreciate. It’s about making sure the truck we sell our customers suits the application. I don’t want any customer coming back and saying, ‘David, you sold me the wrong truck.’ It’s very important to me to make sure it’s right,” he says.
David is the first to admit things don’t always go to plan with used trucks, but it’s the way you handle issues that might arise that counts.
Operators looking to enter the market might only have a small budget. Being a small, family-run business means customers can have confidence their issues will be taken seriously and fixed.
“From a customer’s point of view they get to deal with me, the owner. With bigger places you don’t necessarily get that. Here, if things go wrong you’re dealing with the owner and the owner’s two sons. The buck stops with me here,” David says.
It’s also about understanding that not everyone has $250,000 to spend on a new rig, and that first-time buyers deserve as much attention as the big fish.
“Our vision is to make sure if you buy a truck off us the experience is a good one. That’s why we make sure all whatever your budget the truck you purchase is the right truck and presented in the best possible manner,” he says.
THE BUSINESS EXPANDS
There are plans afoot for the shiny bomb. It’s heading across the road to new premises where Taylah will be opening a chrome accessories shop.
The new venture has got the family excited. David is always looking at the horizon for new opportunities to expand and grow the family business.
“I turned 50 this year. The idea was always to pass it to the kids. I’m happy to let go. That’s the difference between a good manager and a bad manager. Being a control freak doesn’t work. We’re here to build a long-term business,” he says.
If the lessons passed on to the kids by David are anything to go by, Larsen’s Truck Sales will around serving the needs of truckies for a long time yet.