Western Star Returns for Round Two

Something pretty special has just rolled into the Truck Centre showroom – and for those who know their rigs, this one will spark some serious nostalgia.

Back in 2017, our very own Mike Dean, Truck Centre’s owner and managing director, picked up one of Star Trucks' original Western Star beauties from Dale Reeves down in Nelson. At the time, Dale was the Western Star dealer and Mike was running his trucking business, hauling refrigerated meats for Harvey Farms and Inghams. This truck wasn’t just another workhorse – it was a personal restoration project and a bit of a passion project for Mike.

Mike poured hours of sweat and pride into restoring the rig, adding that signature bling and comfort to make it a true head-turner on the road. The transformation was so good that Dale couldn’t resist – in 2021, he jumped at the chance to buy the truck back from Mike. While it was tough to let it go, Mike stayed closely connected with Dale over the years, and now they’ve teamed up again to continue the restoration journey for this Western Star beauty.

So she’s back in our yard, ready for stage two!

We’ve got big plans for this white stunner – and trust us, you’ll want to keep an eye on it:

• Stainless wheel flares
• Upgraded LED headlights
• Custom fuel tank skirts
• A full interior makeover

This next chapter of the build is going to take around six months, and we’ll be sharing every step with you right here. From chrome to comfort, this truck is all about bringing out the best of Western Star’s legacy – Kiwi-style.

Stay tuned, because we’re only just getting started.

Helping all our truckers out there to take pride in their ride!

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