The Daltons family have been keeping New Zealand growing now for just over 75 years. Based out of the company’s state-of-the-art manufacturing plant on the southern boundary of Matamata, you will find a 2006 International 9900i Eagle – our first Million Mile Club inductee for this month. Recognised in-house as fleet No. 4, the big 9900i is now closing in on 2,000,000km, so it is most definitely a worthy nominee for the club.

DALTN4 was purchased new by the family from a young Intertruck Distributors, which was importing the 9900i model completely built-up from the Fort Wayne assembly plant in Indiana, USA. DALTN4 is a little different in that it was factory-fitted with a Caterpillar C15 at 550hp, this at a time when the Cummins Signature Gen II was hot property. From there the spec is reasonably standard with an Eaton Fuller Roadranger 20918B (the factory original as well) connected to a set of 46,000lb Meritor rear axles riding on IROS suspension.

DALTN4 has enjoyed a one-owner life, which has obviously helped preserve her appearance and overall condition. Approximately seven years ago, she did receive a birthday spruce-up back at Intertruck Distributors. The Intertruck team went through from front to back, addressing any obvious wear and tear along the way. A new coat of paint was applied as well as Daltons’modernised sign writing and stripes, this in keeping with the rest of the fleet. An in-frame rebuild of the C15 was also completed at this time.

Daltons transport manager Peter Crawford mentions how DALTN4 does not currently have a regular driver, and is now called into service as and when required. But with its extra-long American-style hood it makes it one of those cool trucks to get behind the wheel of and simply go for a drive, he says.