Stanhope Boot & Shoe Manufacturers’ Isuzu FTR 800, affectionately known by its drivers as “the old one”, has been crowned the winner of Isuzu Motors South Africa’s (IMSAf) Legends of the Long Run competition after covering 2.27 million kilometres over 22 years of service.
The truck was selected from 23 entries received during the competition, which ran from June to the end of August 2026. Its impressive mileage and continued service stood out to the judging panel, highlighting the role of vehicle reliability and aftersales support in keeping businesses moving.
Over the past 22 years, the FTR 800 has supported Stanhope’s footwear distribution operations, including long-distance journeys between South Africa and Maputsoe in Lesotho. Although it is now used mainly for shorter trips, the truck remains in service, supported by a longstanding relationship with Isuzu and its dealer network.
As the winning entry, the FTR 800 will undergo a refurbishment at Isuzu Motors South Africa’s factory in Gqeberha, starting in November 2026. The work is projected to be completed in February or March 2027, after which Stanhope will receive the refurbished truck during a handover at the factory. The company will also receive an exclusive ISUZU gift hamper, and the truck is set to be displayed at the upcoming ISUZU Mobility Experience at the Red Star Raceway in Mpumalanga, which will launch the new-generation ISUZU N-Series.
Rudy le Roux, Chief Operating Officer of Stanhope Boot & Shoe Manufacturers, said the recognition was a significant milestone for the company and the team that has kept the truck operating for more than two decades.
“We are extremely proud and grateful to have won the Legends of the Long Run competition. This will give ‘the old one’ a new lease on life, with the hope of adding at least another million kilometres to the clock. It is also a great endorsement of our drivers and the effort they put into looking after the truck, as well as the long hours they spend behind the wheel. What a privilege this is for us.” said le Roux.
The refurbishment will celebrate the truck’s remarkable service history and the enduring partnership between Stanhope Boot & Shoe Manufacturers and Isuzu Motors South Africa.
“Legends of the Long Run celebrates the customers who put our trucks to work every day and the role these vehicles play in keeping their businesses moving. The Stanhope Boot & Shoe FTR 800 is a remarkable example of what long-term vehicle performance means in a real business environment. Covering 2.27 million kilometres over 22 years is a significant achievement, reflecting not only the truck’s longevity but also the commitment of the people who have maintained and operated it,” said Mpho Nkhumeleni, Department Executive: Commercial Vehicle Sales at Isuzu Motors South Africa.
He added: “For us, this competition is about recognising that journey and the partnerships we build with our customers, supported by our dealer network and aftersales service throughout the life of the vehicle.”
Established in Johannesburg in 1950, Stanhope Boot & Shoe Manufacturers has grown into an established footwear producer supplying major retail groups and customers across South Africa, while also serving regional markets. The company relocated to Pinetown in 1970 before moving its complete manufacturing operation to Lesotho in 2004.
For Stanhope, “the old one” represents more than two decades of service to the business. Its recognition as a Legend of the Long Run celebrates the truck, the people who have kept it on the road and the relationship that has supported its continued service.
Through Legends of the Long Run, Isuzu Motors South Africa celebrates the customers and vehicles that embody its commitment to being With You for the Long Run.
