This special appearance was the first public display of the recently launched Longhorn Express custom designed Western Star prime mover. The first of its kind in Australia, this is the third Longhorn Express prime mover and has been meticulously custom sprayed with iconic R.M. Williams imagery including the late Reginald Murray (RM) Williams himself.
R.M. Williams Chief Executive Officer, Hamish Turner said, “The R.M. Williams Longhorn Express has given us the unique ability to deliver our distinctive Australian style to the very people for whom this company was built. From Tom Price in WA to Muttaburra in Queensland and everywhere between, The Longhorn Express has taken isolation in its stride and provided a travelling R.M. Williams store to the people and places of rural Australia.
Since 2001, in excess of two million people have walked the floorboards of The Longhorn Express at bush concerts, festivals, rodeos and other major events across the nation. The instantly recognisable homestead-style store has provided shoppers with an authentic Australian shopping experience, anywhere, anytime – a tradition we plan to continue,” Mr Turner said.
Magic Millions Managing Director, Vin Cox commented, “The Longhorn Express has been a feature at the Magic Millions Sales in January for many years. This is the first time it has made an appearance as part of our winter National Sales, Australia’s biggest horse sale with over 2000 lots for sale, and we were delighted to welcome this legendary travelling R.M. Williams retail store to the Gold Coast.”
Having covered more than 300,000 kilometres, the equivalent of 12 times around Australia, The Longhorn Express has become an integral part of Australia’s bush culture and an iconic semblance of the R.M. Williams brand.
With a wide range of R.M. Williams items such as boots, men’s and women’s jeans, t-shirts, polos and shirts, accessories including belts, wallets and mosaic belt buckles as well as the R.M. Williams OUTBACK magazine; the Longhorn Express has something for everyone.
The 10 year association with Western Star has seen the truck and trailer become a highlight at every stop and while the R.M. Williams range is a major attraction so too is the truck itself.
The top-range 4864 FXB combines a stunning look and pure functionality in one vehicle. Once again, Western Star has summoned the leading forces in Australia’s transport industry to build a vehicle worthy of pulling the mobile homestead in its anniversary year. Due to its 838mm bumper to steer axle and 2768mm bumper to back of cab dimensions, the 4864FXB is the perfect choice to legally achieve maximum payload on 19 metre and 26 metre applications – be it a quad dog or a rolling ranch.
The all new ADR 80/03, 14.8 litre Detroit Diesel DD15 engine, is able to deliver a solid 560hp and combined with the Eaton Fuller 15-1/2’’ Solo VCT adjustment-free clutch and Eaton Fuller RTLO 20918B transmission, the Cayenne red 4864FBX will be more drivable than ever. Meritor’s MFS73 front axle and R-Series rear axle guarantee a smooth operation wherever the Longhorn Express may travel.
A Wabco 4S/4M ABS system will ensure peace of mind. The 4864FXB is running on 22.5’ inch Alcoa 10-stud aluminium disc wheels, featuring a sparkling Dura-Brite finish.
Western Star’s spacious 40’ inch Stratosphere Sleeper offers generous sleeping room. Followed by a trailer resembling a traditional homestead, the high-rise stand up cab with wood grain interior and additional insulation gives the driver the highest comfort levels.
To put the finishing touches on the top-of-the-range 4864FBX, Narva supplied a set of state-of-the-art driving lights, while Jost supplied the SLE 37 EW Pneumatic Slider Assembly to couple the iconic R.M. Williams Longhorn Express to the new prime mover. The stainless accessories and additional lights were expertly fitted by Blaze Industries while the interior cooling was supplied by heavy vehicle air conditioning specialists BRISKAIR in Brisbane, fitting a Viesa Internal 2, Evaporative Sleeper Cab Cooling System to ensure the driver is always well rested for those runs in the long paddock.
On the outside, PJ’s Custom Spray Painting worked closely with R.M. Williams CEO, Hamish Turner, and General Manager of Events, Terry Goodear, to ensure the finished vehicle represented the true values and vision of the iconic bush outfitter’s brand. The beautifully finished canvas depicts this vision showing the late Reginald Murray Williams, widely known as ‘RM’, and the traditional Longhorn logo. The result is stunning to say the least.
The Longhorn Express visited the Victorian township of Whittlesea the day the tragic bushfires plagued the state in 2009; and it’s been supportive in raising funds for the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame and Outback Heritage Centre, and the Royal Flying Doctors Service in the past decade. It has been a stage for bush concerts and made an appearance at Martin Place in Sydney’s CBD. In a nutshell, the R.M. Williams Longhorn Express has become a visible icon of the Australian way of life.