Zaninelli's “White Angel”

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An Actros with wings.

The “White Angel” of the Zaninelli brothers is well-equipped in all domains. But it also carries a message for every driver.


It goes by the name of the “White Angel” – this name is embossed in the steel inlay above the front windscreen. The “White Angel” is Simone Zaninelli's Actros 1861; together with his sister Beatrice and brother Nicola, he runs the traditional family business Fratelli Zaninelli Autotrasporti based in Bussolengo, Verona.

The “White Angel” stood out among the dozens of tuned trucks which gathered at the “Week-End del Camionista” – the drivers' weekend as part of the Italian stage of the European Truck Race at the Circuito di Misano Adriatico. Accompanying the Actros were Beatrice Zaninelli and Gabriel Varbo, who has created the designs for all of the tractor units in the fleet from Verona.



“Don't drive faster than your guardian angel can fly!”

“I adopted the traditional style of the company – the azure-blue lines on a white background which continue on the semitrailer,” explains Gabriel. “The stainless steel elements on the roof, on the radiator grille and on the cab side wall additionally lend this Actros a powerful, personal flavour.” What's more, the accessories – the horns and the large headlamps on the roof, a second array of headlamps at the bottom and the stainless steel exhaust pipes on the side – give the truck an imposing character.

The rear, which is covered when the semitrailer is coupled, shows a picture of the sky which highlights the Mercedes star in the middle. Above it, two wings take off into the clouds, accompanied by a slogan which explains the logic behind the masterpiece. The saying is also a warning directed to drivers: “Don't drive faster than your guardian angel can fly!”


Angel wings with the warning “Don't drive faster than your guardian angel can fly!”


“An ideal opportunity to get to know other colleagues.”

Gabriel put together his unique design in the workshop of the company headed up by Nicola Zaninelli. Beatrice, meanwhile, looks after the administrational aspects and explains the company history: “It all began when our father got behind the wheel of a truck to collect milk. When we joined the company, we expanded the operations to include temperature-controlled transportation of fruit and veg. Today, we have 15 trucks, of which 14 are from Mercedes, plus we also have 19 semitrailers.”

Incidentally, it's not the first time that the “White Angel” has taken part in the meeting in Misano. Beatrice explains: “We were also here last year. It's a great chance to get to know colleagues from all across Italy and abroad, and to measure the personal designs of other trucks against our own.” And that's another reason why it probably won't be the last time that the company attends.


Beatrice Zaninelli and Gabriel Varbo, who created the “White Angel”.


Photos: Michele Latorre

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