Fernando Brandimarti

Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame at ReUnion 2010.

Fernando (Frank) Brandimarti, is passionate when it comes to trucks. The passion began when he was a child riding in his father's truck.

Arriving from Italy in 1951 with literally nothing, it took just three years to see him behind the wheels of his own Bedford tipper working on the Melbourne to Geelong road. When the opportunity arose to carry cars for Arnolds Transport he bought himself a secondhand Leyland car carrier. Due to economic circumstances, in 1965, he went to work for Hoare Brothers earthmoving. While still working for Hoare Brothers, he built his very first car carrier on a Leyland truck which he bought for $800. In the same year he married Shirley. By 1967, F&S Brandimarti Transport hit the road. Carrying cars for Sheilds and Friendlies Transport, it didn't take long before he was not only carrying cars but also general freight for Mayne Nichols Transport. On top of running a fleet of trucks, Frank began building car carriers for other operators. As demand for building car carriers was far greater than any aspect of his business, he ceased running trucks.

In 1987 Frank was joined by his son Mark and together they continued to build all types of trailers. Trading under the name Pacific Trailers since the early 1990s they have gained a reputation for the construction of uncomplicated, functional and reliable car carriers.

However, Frank's passion has always been for the truck. While today the carriers are more Mark's domain, Frank is still arriving daily to the original shed he built to unravel the mangled mess of another wrecked Kenworth. The delight on Frank's face when he shows anyone who calls by says it all; you can take the man out of the truck, but you can never take the truck out of the man.