NTI’s Truck Restoration for MND finds a new owner

National Transport Insurance found an owner for its custom built 1946 Ford Jailbar “Roxanne” at the 2019 Brisbane Truck Show last weekend, upon raising $113,087.02 for Motor Neurone Disease medical research. 

Lucky ticket holder Michelle Wilkie of Munruben, Queensland, was named the winner on the last day of the Truck Show, where the truck was displayed for the duration of the event.

Earlier this year NTI announced 100% of ticket sales would go directly to Associate Professor Trent Woodruff at the University of Queensland for his project Manipulation of free fatty acid receptors to tame the immune response in MND via NTI’s official Research Grant and MND Research Institute of Australia.

NTI’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tony Clark says the team’s success at surpassing previous raffle sales signifies a commitment from NTI people, industry and community alike, to raising awareness and support for the terminal disease.

“Roxanne is the work of many hands and hundreds of man hours. It’s been a genuine labour of love, not only for our NTI project team, but also our external project partners. The quality of workmanship and funds raised could not have been achieved otherwise,” said Mr. Clark.

“To our project partners Royan Truck & Trailer Repairs, Annvid Auto Upholsterers & Marine Trimmers, PPG Paints, Hy-Way Truck Accessories, Battery World, Isuzu Trucks and TEKNO – we thank you for getting on board and backing our cause.”

The specifications of the rebuild are impressive in themselves says Mr. Clark, and as with ‘most things NTI’, each resto project is an opportunity to innovate and learn.

“We build with purpose. Each truck is unique and a work of art in its own right, but this time we took things a step further,” he said.

Roxanne is a hybrid of a 1946 Jailbar (body) and Isuzu N Series (donor vehicle), meaning the retro looking truck delivers a smooth ride with all the mod-cons one would expect in a newer model vehicle.

NTI’s Don Geer, who has managed all three of NTI’s resto projects says the truck strikes the perfect balance between old and new, with bespoke features that set it apart from anything else.

“This is the third truck we’ve completed now, the second to give away – but it doesn’t make it any easier to send them off!” he jokes.

“It’s all for a good cause though. It’s a gift that keeps giving; a legacy for our organisation, support for a disease impacting thousands of Australian’s, and an initiative that unites industry and community alike.”

“It’s a humbling experience. It’s a day job that has the potential to make the world of difference.”