Donny Maclean’s Restored 1979 Kenworth K123

Donny Maclean’s restored 1979 K123 cab-over was originally built for Finemores in Wagga Wagga, NSW but it was not able to be delivered to them because they went into receivership. So, it was taken back to Kenworth in Melbourne, where it was then sold to Dickie Frappelle, who bought it still in its original Finemores red and white colour scheme, changing it to gold and brown after a couple of years. Dickie worked it running general produce out of Shepparton back to Melbourne, putting the first couple of million kilometres on the clock before it blew up. After he passed on, the truck went to his son who then sold it to Donny. He doesn’t work the truck – it is purely a show truck that he has brought back, keeping it as original as he could.
Donny replaced the old motor with an 8-92 GM Detroit, which has done about 20,000 kilometres since its rebuild. He also replaced the previously installed 15-speed gearbox with a re-raced 9-speed running through a 3.7:1 diff ratio, on Hendrickson Walking Beam suspension, as this was the truck’s original specs.
Donny has kept the gold and brown external colour scheme started by Dickie 40-odd-years ago, and given it a refresh. The interior had to be completely replaced because the original was so worn out.
It had suffered some damage to the cab during its working life, including the whole left-hand side of the exhaust being ripped away from the cab, resulting in Donny needing to rebuild this side of the cab. In spite of having to fabricate and fibreglass parts of the cab, there are still many original features such as the tanks. Donny did manage to find an original set of the rare mirrors to replace those that had gone missing.
The bullbar is a period correct Kenworth bar but not the original – this one was fitted by Donny – it would not have left the factory with one like this. The truck would have been delivered to its new owner sporting a steel Bartholomew’s bar but since they never took delivery or worked it, the standard company bullbar was never fitted.
Donny loves how the truck has turned out and driving it around to shows. He says, “It’s just a really good old truck to drive”.