Gundy’s Way | Custom K220
Words and Photography by Rod Simmonds.
Bright yellow paint might get Will Gundesen’s new Kenworth K220 noticed, but it is the detail, specification and quiet personal touches that make this Foodstuffs line-haul unit something special.
Built for hard-working supermarket freight, the K220 is double-shifted on Wairarapa, Wellington and occasional Auckland runs.
There have been plenty of new Kenworth K220s hitting the road recently, but one just stands out a little more than most. Being painted in Foodstuffs’ bright yellow certainly helps, but the attention to detail and subtle customisation sets this one apart.
Will Gundesen runs a small fleet under contract to Foodstuffs Palmerston North, covering the lower half of New Zealand’s North Island and line-haul work through to Auckland. Based in the Manawatū, Palmerston North is well placed for supermarket distribution, with freight running south towards Wellington, east into the Wairarapa and north on the long haul to Auckland. Now, 20 years later, Will runs five units with eight drivers, with Will jumping in whenever needed to keep the supermarket shelves filled.
The custom KW emblem grille is one of the subtle details that helps set Will Gundesen’s Foodstuffs Kenworth K220 apart.
Kenworth Fleet
A special Kenworth fleet has always been Will’s plan, and with a great run in the past with an XF DAF and Freightliner Argosy, the Kenworth influence has grown to K108s, Fat Cab K200s and now this special K220. A sole Volvo 700 XXL cab was bought for a specific run, and in his man shed sits a legendary 2.9-metre Aerodyne Fat Cab, retiring gracefully beside some classic V8-powered cars.
And if that wasn’t enough, Will also has a Kenworth T400 tipper on ad hoc local work. This little Kenworth model was the very first truck Will drove back when he started with Linfox.
The custom Kenworth K220 combines Foodstuffs’ bold yellow livery with stainless detailing and subtle personal touches.
The K220 is predominantly double-shifted, running to the Wairarapa in the mornings and doing double runs to the Wellington depot at night, with the odd run to Auckland. That work mixes lower North Island regional running with busy depot-to-depot freight, so the truck needs to be comfortable, durable and able to keep up with a demanding supermarket schedule.
Behind it, the dedicated Freighter trailer is a 15.1-metre model with 28/26-pallet capacity and a quad-reefer setup, ideal for chilled and frozen grocery freight.
With the standard New Zealand-spec Cummins X15 at 615hp and 18-speed Road Ranger, it will be clocking up the kilometres for many years to come.
The custom KW emblem grille is one of the subtle details that helps set Will Gundesen’s Foodstuffs K220 apart.
Latest Masterpiece
But back to the long-awaited K220. Will had plenty of ideas for his latest masterpiece, and once it arrived in New Zealand it went to Marsh Engineering Ltd in Tauranga, in the Bay of Plenty, for all the bling.
Bradley Marsh had a list longer than the trailer of Will’s wishes, along with the odd change as things progressed. Like all the gear they work on, it is finished to the highest standard and is a real testament to bringing the vision to reality.
Extras? Well, there are so many. Stainless steel steps, custom rear bumper, one-off KW emblem cut into the grille, vents, cab extender light bar, exhausts, side skirts and plenty more.
All painted parts, including the bumper, tanks, chassis covers and the front of the cab, are covered with paint protection film as well. There is even an engine cover at the back of the cab that no one has spotted yet without being told.
And lights. Lots of lights, but not over the top. It is a head-turner day or night and a real credit to Will.
Will Gundesen’s bright yellow Kenworth K220 stands out on Foodstuffs line-haul work across New Zealand’s lower North Island.
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