“Old School” to Be Enjoyed Without Moderation!

For Lars Erik Lie, a Norwegian truck driver, the story of his Scania R500 named MADDE is first and foremost a human adventure… and one that started with a beer.

Originally from Tomter, Norway, 34-year-old Lars Erik Lie has lived life on the road for more than ten years. Yet nothing initially destined him to become a truck driver. “I started in 2014 more or less by chance, because my father-in-law was already driving trucks. I’m originally a motorcycle mechanic. But I don’t regret that choice for a second. I think I’ll be driving trucks all my life.”

Today, Lars Erik works for the Norwegian company Nitteberg AS, which he joined in 2019. The company operates a fleet of around sixteen trucks, including several vehicles dedicated to events and summer gatherings.

On a daily basis, Lars Erik currently drives for DSV, mainly transporting timber and carrying out trailer transfers throughout the Østlandet region in eastern Norway.

The MADDE project began with a simple, almost casual proposal. Andreas Nitteberg, head of the company, contacted Lars Erik with an idea: to build a truck together. “Andreas called me to ask if we should start a truck project together. I said it could be fun. And that’s how it all started.”

The choice of design came about just as spontaneously and unexpectedly. Both enthusiasts share a fondness for Tuborg Classic beer. Very quickly, the brand’s iconic colors became the truck’s visual identity.

The result: a uniquely styled Scania R500 that, let’s be honest, immediately turns heads on Norwegian roads.

What immediately sets MADDE apart in the Scandinavian tuning scene is its bold aesthetic and out-of-the-ordinary character. In Norway, flat-roof Scania trucks remain rare, but MADDE takes this uniqueness even further with clean lines and an imposing silhouette. The truck stands out thanks to its smooth platform, its old-school look, and its massive chrome vertical exhausts rising over 4.15 meters high. The icing on the cake: this impressive 500-horsepower machine is equipped with a manual gearbox, a rarity these days, but true purists will appreciate it.

“In Norway, there aren’t many Scania trucks with a flat roof, and even fewer with vertical exhausts that tall. The colors, the style, and the roof make MADDE really stand out on the road.”

On the road as well as at events, MADDE leaves no one indifferent. The reaction from the public and professionals often exceeds the driver’s expectations. “Customers, colleagues, and the public smile from start to finish when they see the truck. Many want to look inside and ask lots of questions about how it was built and its style.”

MADDE has become far more than a work tool: it’s a true rolling ambassador of Scandinavian truck tuning.

Looking ahead, Lars Erik has no major modifications planned. The goal is clear: to keep MADDE in perfect condition for exhibitions and gatherings. He especially hopes to take part in the famous Løgstør Truck Show in Denmark, which he considers a benchmark event. “It’s probably the best show in my opinion. There’s a great atmosphere, lots of beautiful trucks, and really warm people.”

With MADDE, Lars Erik Lie proves that truck tuning goes far beyond simple aesthetic customization. It’s a meeting point between passion, creativity, and community spirit. One thing is certain: on Norwegian roads as well as in the parking lots of European truck shows, his Scania R500 perfectly embodies a culture where the truck becomes a true personal signature—and above all, a real calling card.

Text and photos: AP Trade Vision