82yo creates custom classic

Sven ‘Svempa’ Bergendahl, is a legendary Swedish custom truck builder, and at 82 years old is finally thinking about slowing down. His latest spectacular show truck ‘Frostfire’ shows he’s lost none of his passion for creating amazing art on his Scania canvases.

Svempa’s latest jaw-dropping creation is based on a Scania V8, with deft touches everywhere you look, signature styling elements combined with attention to detail that go well beyond even the most highly customised customer trucks, of which there are literally thousands on the roads of Europe.

"I have the feeling that this could have been my last major piece," Svempa said at the reveal of his latest work.

“That doesn't mean that I'm definitely going to retire now, but this may be the last big show truck where all the work for customising the body, interior and engine is done by me. And that's why this truck has to leave everyone speechless.”

Frostfire was originally planned to celebrate the Scania V8 engine’s 50th anniversary in 2019, but the build ran late and then was delayed further by COVID-19.

Related reading:
Scania R 650 B-double: Review
Scania R 730 8x4: Review
Video: Scania V8s go head to head

Both Svempa and his long-time styling partner Jan Richter are absolute perfectionists, which meant no possibility of a compromise on the finishing date.

Svempa’s career in the world of show trucks began in 1967 when he converted a Chevrolet station wagon into a tow truck and thus founded his own company in the south of Stockholm.

“I listened to the police radio and always stood in the starting blocks to be the first at the scene of the accident,” he says.

From those humble beginnings, he worked his way up into the world of trucks and bought a second-hand Scania L76, which he also converted into a tow truck. That was the beginning of a long and successful career. Svempa soon discovered his very special vocation for converting and customising trucks. Since then, around 600 custom models and limited editions have left his workshop.

“I was a huge fan of American cars and the first to start styling trucks. That was my calling,” he confirmed.

Over the years he has been celebrated for his innovative and creative designs.

The two-year build for Frostfire, involved careful development work and great attention to detail.

Just getting the right shade of blue for the truck was anything but easy. For example, a visit to a paint factory in the Netherlands was necessary to determine the exact colour combination. The blue truck is complemented by orange and black accents and a pattern that mimics shattered ice. Initially, Svempa was not impressed by the matt finish, but has changed his mind over time.

The company that was entrusted with the implementation of Svempa’s design, required 1200 man hours, 150 litres of paint in seven different shades and 18 layers of clear lacquer. According to the company, this was the most demanding job in its 33-year career as a paint shop.

“This truck is going to be fantastic,” says Svempa happily. “Like many others in this business, I prefer the V8, its sound and the high-quality engine.

Svempa admits there’s a lot about the Scania V8 that reminds him of himself.

“We're both workhorses and we never give up. I'll keep working until one day I fall over – building vehicles is just so much fun,” he concluded.