Thanks A Million: 83-Year-Old Peter and His Canter Just Keep on Going

Eighty-three year-old Peter Masseroni has notched up one million kilometres in a Fuso Canter. Neither Peter, nor his truck, are likely to stop any time soon.

"It’s too late for me to retire," says a smiling Mr Masseroni, who delivers firewood, sand, loam and other landscaping materials to various Adelaide suburbs for Newtons Building and Landscape Supplies, which he founded in 1979.

"I really enjoy it, for me it is a pastime. I drive six days a week and then go for a bike ride with my friend on Sundays," he says.

As for the Canter factory tipper, it is not likely to be retired soon either.

"The truck works like a charm," Mr Masseroni says. "It never breaks down."

In fact, the trusty Canter tipper has only ever had one non-consumable part replaced.

"All I have had to do is replace one clutch at around 500,000km, that is it," Mr Masseroni explains. "I have not touched the engine, the diff, nothing," he says.

Mr Masseroni, based in the Adelaide suburb of Campbelltown, takes pride in ensuring his truck is well maintained, and that it remains in excellent condition.

Never one to shy away from hard work, Mr Masseroni came to Australia from Italy in 1959 and started at the Holden Woodville plant before going to drive for Ready Mix. He then started his own business supplying concrete as well as building and landscaping material, before selling the business to current owner and friend Frank Ferella in 1996.

Mr Masseroni stayed on to drive for Newtons, which has grown throughout the years, and bought his current Canter in 1998. Mr Ferella says Mr Masseroni is the perfect employee.

"Peter’s work ethics are second to none – he is always on time and brings nothing but joy to the staff and customers," Mr Ferella says. "He puts smiles on everyone faces."

Fuso recently presented a special "one million km" plaque to Mr Masseroni during a special ceremony attended by his workmates, friends, family and representatives from Daimler Trucks Adelaide and Fuso head office.

This year, Fuso is also celebrating 50 years of Canter in Australia.

Fuso Truck and Bus Australia Director, Alex Müller, says there are many stories of Canter helping Australians get the job done throughout the last half century, but Peter’s is one of the very best.

"We would like to congratulate Peter on this exciting milestone and thank him for being such a good ambassador for Fuso," Mr Müller says.