A Passion Never Parked: Keeping History Alive with Isuzu

For most people, retirement is about slowing down.

For Rob Sibson, it has meant doubling down on the things that matter most; time outdoors, hands-on work, and a lifelong passion for a place that helped shape who he is.

Set against the rolling hills of the Scenic Rim, just a few kilometres outside Rathdowney in rural Queensland, Glenapp railway siding is a quiet reminder of Australia’s rail history.

It’s also where Rob can usually be found, tending the grounds, maintaining the heritage signal box, and keeping the story of the place alive.

“I just don’t want the place to die,” Rob says.

“It’s paradise. I just have a passion for this place like no other.”

Supporting that passion is Rob’s eye-catching Isuzu NPR 65-190 Crew Cab, a truck that now plays a very different role to the workhorses he drove during a long career on the road, but one that is no less important.

A lifetime around trucks

Rob’s relationship with trucks began decades ago. A former owner-driver and furniture carrier, he has driven just about everything over the years, from Japanese light trucks through to European rigids.

Reliability, drivability and support were never abstract concepts, they were the difference between keeping promises to customers or sitting on the side of the road.

“I’ve had a lot of trucks over my life,” he says.

“Good ones, average ones, and a few that taught me important lessons. But my history with Isuzu has been phenomenal.”

That relationship started in the 1980s, when Rob returned to Australia after living overseas and opened a furniture business alongside his wife.

One Isuzu became two, then three, each step reflecting a growing operation and a need for dependable transport.

“I used to run to Sydney, pick up our own furniture and deliver up and down the coast,” he says.

“I never worried about who I carried for. I represented the people I carried for, and the truck had to do the job, every time.”

Today, Rob is no longer running freight schedules, but his standards haven’t changed.

A truck for life

Rob’s current Isuzu NPR 65-190 Crew Cab is technically his daily driver, but in practice, it’s much more than that.

“I drive it everywhere,” he laughs.

“Shopping centres, airport runs, out here to Glenapp every weekend. If people don’t like riding in a truck, they can take another car, but this is what I drive. I just love it!”

The NPR’s versatility was a big part of the appeal. Rated at either 4,500 kg or 6,500 kg Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM), the truck sits in a sweet spot for owners with the truck able to be specified as either a car driver (4,500 kg GVM) or light truck licence (6,500 kg) variant. For Rob, it meant flexibility.

“I wanted something that could do everything.

“Carry gear, tow when I need to, but still be comfortable enough to live with day to day.”

Power comes from Isuzu’s 5.2-litre 4HK1-TCC engine, delivering 140 kW and 513 Nm of torque. Paired with Isuzu’s six-speed Automated Manual Transmission (AMT), it is a combination Rob rates highly.

“The transmission in this truck is just awesome,” he said.

“I love that I can manually control it properly. Put it in manual mode, it’ll hold a gear on the hills, and it stays there. You don’t lose momentum, and if you know what you’re doing, you’re always in control.”

That control matters on the rolling roads between the Gold Coast and the Scenic Rim, particularly through the ranges where loaded vehicles can quickly feel out of their depth.

“I’ve taken it up Toowoomba Range with a trailer on, gear in the back, and it just holds its own,” Rob says.

“Exhaust brake on, not riding the brakes all the way down. That’s the sort of thing that makes a real difference in a truck.”

Built to Rob’s vision

Like many experienced operators, Rob knew exactly what he wanted from his truck.

Rather than opting for an off-the-shelf body, he worked closely with trusted trades to design a setup that suited his needs and reflected his personality.

“I didn’t want a wide body,” he explained.

“I wanted to see my tyres in the mirrors. I wanted it to look right.”

From custom bodywork and paint through to powder-coated aluminium wheels, auxiliary fuel capacity and airbag suspension enhancements, the NPR has been carefully tailored.

It’s a reflection of a lifetime spent around trucks and an understanding that small details add up to a better driving experience.

“It took time to get it right, but if you take your time, you get what you want,” Rob stated.

“The truck itself is standard, but I’ve added what I wanted. Ride comfort, pulling power, turning circle, it’s all there.”

Despite its size, the NPR’s manoeuvrability continues to surprise him.

“It’s got a better turning circle than most vehicles,” he says.

“You can get it into places people don’t expect a truck to fit.”

Keeping history alive at Glenapp

For Rob, the truck is also an enabler.

Every Friday, without fail, he loads supplies and heads out to Glenapp, where he spends the weekend maintaining the historic site that he and his late brother, Dennis, began restoring years ago.

The Glenapp signal box, decommissioned in the early 2000s, is now one of the few remaining examples of its kind in Australia. Thanks to Rob’s dedication, it stands in immaculate condition, surrounded by carefully maintained grounds.

“This isn’t about money,” he says. “There’s not one cent involved. It’s passion. You can’t buy that.”

The NPR carries everything Rob needs: tools, fuel, maintenance equipment, and sometimes a place to rest.

“It’s a crew cab, so I sleep in the back of it sometimes,” he says.

“I’ll sit here in the afternoon breeze, look out over the valley, and just take it all in.”

Support that matters

While the truck itself ticks all the boxes, Rob is quick to point out that ownership is about more than the product.

Ongoing support has played a major role in his loyalty to the Isuzu brand.

“I get my truck serviced at Gold Coast Isuzu and I don’t go anywhere else,” he says.

“Even if somewhere else might be a bit cheaper, I want people who know what they’re doing.”

With a six-year warranty and roadside assistance as part of the Isuzu Care package, plus access to genuine parts nationwide, Rob has peace of mind that fits his approach to ownership.

“If you look after the vehicle, it’ll look after you,” he said.

“I change my oil more regularly than I need to, but that’s just me. I’ll have the filters changed… I keep on top of it.

“I don’t want to be stuck on the side of the road.”

On the rare occasion something has gone wrong, the response has reinforced that confidence.

“I had a turbo pipe come off once and got stuck on the highway,” Rob recalls.

“I rang the dealership, and they were there within the hour. Fixed it, got me going, didn’t charge me. That’s service. You can’t beat that.”

More than a truck

Now officially retired, Rob has no plans to slow down. His Isuzu NPR continues to be part of his everyday life, quietly supporting a project driven entirely by heart.

“I’m not getting paid to say this,” he says. “This is just me, from the heart. This truck is the best I’ve ever had. It does everything I ask of it.”

As the sun drops behind the hills at Glenapp, the signal box stands proud, the grounds neatly kept, and Rob’s Isuzu parked nearby, ready for the next trip.

For him, it is not about accolades or recognition. It is about turning up, week after week, with the right tools to do what matters.

“I’ll be here until the day I fall off the perch,” Rob says with a smile.

“And this truck will be with me the whole way.”

ends