The Giant of the North

Our “truckShow” section continues its journey through Scandinavia, and Alexis, our photographer, never misses an opportunity to immortalise some incredible gems. Among his favourites, John “Papsen” Nielsen’s truck unquestionably falls into the MasterClass category. More than just a working tool, this extended Scania 770 S is the result of an exceptional project combining Danish and Dutch know-how, designed to swallow up the thousands of kilometres separating Denmark from northern Norway. Meet a passionate enthusiast whose life is closely linked to road transport.

At 54, John Nielsen, better known by the nickname “Papsen”, is a well-known figure among heavy truck enthusiasts in Denmark. Originally from Sæby, he grew up to the rhythm of engines and long journeys. His father spent his entire life behind the wheel, and it was naturally that this passion was passed down. Since 1989, John has travelled the roads of Europe and has never left international transport.

Today, he works for Steen M. Hansen, a family-owned company based in Vodskov, founded in 1988. Historically specialised in transporting flowers between the Netherlands and Sweden, the company now has around forty tractor units and nearly sixty employees. John is one of the ten drivers who make the rotations to northern Norway, where they deliver all kinds of goods before returning loaded with fish destined for the rest of Europe. A demanding job, in sometimes extreme weather conditions.

Before taking control of his current vehicle, John was already driving a Scania S660, but for only a few weeks now, he has inherited the most spectacular truck in the fleet: a Scania 770 S 6x4, nearly four years old. Originally built for the company’s owner, this truck represented his true dream vehicle. Even today, it remains a benchmark among many enthusiasts. And one look is enough to understand why. Its main distinctive feature is, of course, its extended cab, carried out in the Netherlands by specialist Vlastuin Truckopbouw, recognised throughout Europe for its high-end conversions.

The original cab of the Scania S-Highline was extended using polyester side panels perfectly integrated into the vehicle’s design. Behind the wings, an elegant extension houses several storage compartments whose lines naturally extend those of the cab and deflectors. The original cab structure was completely redesigned in order to maintain safety standards despite the extension. This is also part of Vlastuin’s signature: the trucks are modified, but they retain the manufacturer’s characteristics. The result provides impressive living space, while maintaining a harmonious silhouette. For John, it is precisely this unique design that gives the truck its identity: “There aren’t many like this one.”

The transformation of this Scania required nearly an entire year of work. The structural part of the cab was carried out between the Netherlands and Denmark, while the interior fitting was entirely designed in Denmark.

The leather finishes were entrusted to Karl Johan Buur, a renowned craftsman based in Vrå, whose work is unanimously praised within the customised truck community. The result is an especially luxurious interior where every detail radiates quality. The audio equipment remains deliberately discreet, with a few additional Alpine speakers, but what really impresses is elsewhere.

The interior of this Scania goes far beyond the usual comfort of a heavy truck. The additional space provided by the extended cab makes it possible to integrate numerous storage compartments as well as equipment rarely found in a transport vehicle. Among them, a real sink with a water supply, a detail that John particularly appreciates in his daily life during his long weeks spent on Scandinavian roads. This exceptional interior also allowed him to win first prize for the best interior at the prestigious Nordic Trophy 2022 in Sweden, an award that confirms the level of finish achieved on this project.

While the truck immediately catches the eye, the semi-trailer deserves just as much attention. It was built by Danish manufacturer Fyns Karrosseribyg (FKB) and was specially designed to meet the requirements of Scandinavian refrigerated transport.

The trailer is based on ROR axles supplied by Bevola, features a Zepro tail lift, a Carrier refrigeration unit, as well as several stainless-steel storage compartments manufactured by Box Nordic. But its real distinctive feature lies in its large opening side wall, developed with Norfrig Sverige AB systems.

Unlike a traditional refrigerated body, this wall consists of several modular doors that allow a very large side area to be opened without compromising the thermal performance of the body. This design offers remarkable versatility: loading can be carried out either from the rear or from the side, facilitating operations at certain loading docks or for specific goods, while retaining the qualities of a refrigerated vehicle. A particularly appreciated solution in Nordic countries where flexibility is essential.

When looking at the chassis, another piece of equipment quickly catches the eye. The truck is equipped with a traction sand spreader, a device very common in Nordic countries but almost non-existent in France. The principle is simple: a tank installed on the chassis contains sand or very fine gravel. From the cab, the driver can activate the system to instantly deposit a small amount of material directly in front of the drive wheels. The tyres immediately roll over this abrasive layer, considerably improving grip on ice or snow. Particularly effective for restarting on a slope, leaving an icy loading dock or preventing wheelspin, this system often allows an over-40-tonne combination to get moving again without having to install chains. A perfect illustration of how vehicles are adapted to the extreme conditions encountered daily in northern Europe.

For John, the customised truck is much more than simply a desire to stand out from the crowd. It is a deep passion, which brings as much pleasure to the driver as to the people he meets on the road. The reactions are also extremely positive. Curious people and enthusiasts regularly come to admire the vehicle and often ask to discover its impressive interior. Even after several decades spent on the roads, John continues to develop his ideas. “I always have projects,” he says with a smile.

Although no trip to the Truck Shows is planned this year, there is no doubt that this extended Scania 770 S will continue to make enthusiasts dream for a long time on the roads of Scandinavia, where it perfectly embodies Nordic know-how in terms of customisation and long-distance transport. Something for the French who are still hesitant to take the plunge to think about.

Text and Photos: AP Trade Vision