14-year-old Volvo FL7 remains like new

After 14 years in service, Wellman Hunt-Graham’s “L” reg Volvo FL7 truck, based in Dukinfield near Manchester, continues to perform and operate as efficiently as the day it was purchased.

As the heat exchanger manufacturer’s only vehicle, the 6x2 rigid truck has covered over 590,000 kms and has required no major part replacements or repairs. In fact, the vehicle still has its original clutch.

When Wellman Hunt-Graham originally took delivery of the 260bhp flat bed, its intentions were to keep the vehicle for just five years before replacing it for the reliability and modernity of a new vehicle. However, five years passed, then 10 and now over 14 and the vehicle remains the sole transporter for the company. Making continued trips throughout the UK, consistently carrying 16 tonnes, has had little effect on the vehicle performance.

Since new, the vehicle has always been serviced and maintained from the Volvo dealership from where it was purchased - Thomas Hardie Commercials of Stockport - who have carried out every routine service and day-to-day general repair.

Ron Leach, Thomas Hardie Commercials’ Depot Manager at Stockport, commented, “The vehicle has required very little work over the years. Indeed, since I can remember, the FL7 has always been kept in immaculate condition. It is a credit to Wellman and its driver.”

That ‘driver’ is Bob Bowen, who is the only person to have driven the vehicle for Wellman’s since 1993 and who has kept the vehicle in pristine condition ever since.

“The vehicle performs like new,” says the FL’s driver Bob Bowen. “It just goes to show how a reliable a truck can be if it is well looked after.”