We’re gonna have a convoy……

Up to 80 classic commercial trucks are currently touring the North Island in an eye-catching display of historic engineering.

The vehicles - the oldest of which date back to the 1930’s are circumnavigating the North Island in an event organised by the Northern Classic Commercials Club and follows a similar event three years ago around the South Island which at its peak included over 100 old vehicles.

A contingent of 22 trucks travelled from Picton to Wellington on Sunday aided by a significant discount offered by Bluebridge Shipping, Northern Classic Commercial Club spokesman Vic Draper from Wellington said.

“Bluebridge has made it affordable for the South Island truckers to join the tour in Wellington. The normal return ferry fare for some of the trucks would be over $2000 and this on top of significant restoration and running costs would have made it impossible for many to join in.”

Restoration costs for the old vehicles vary from a few hundred dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars but it is an important part of New Zealand’s history that needs to be recognised and cherished said Mr Draper. “Many of these vehicles were involved in building roads and infrastructure around the country as well as supporting farming and carrying exports to ports. Basically they built the country and as such deserve to be restored and remembered.”

One of the more interesting vehicles is the 1967 Leyland Beaver Steer owned by Mike Houghton of Palmerston in Otago. Mike drove the Leyland from new for Williams Transport of Christchurch and for several months each year his job involved carrying up to 20 tonnes of Bluff oysters to Christchurch six nights per week.

“It was hard but rewarding work,” says Mike and when the opportunity to purchase the derelict truck from a North Canterbury farmer arose many years later he jumped at the opportunity. Mike spent two years and about $20,000 restoring the vehicle but does not have any regrets.

“If I had not rescued her she would be tin cans by now and my grandchildren would never be able to enjoy the distinctive sound of her 200 horse power Leyland 680 engine.“ Mike has been joined on the trip by Neil James from the UK who also restores old Leylands in their country of manufacture where the classic vehicle scene has been active for many years.

The trip concludes in Wellington on 25 October and sees the convoy overnight in Whanganui, New Plymouth, Cambridge, South Auckland, Whangamata, Whakatane, Gisborne, Havelock North and Fielding. Types of trucks on the trip range from the 1930’s through to 1980’s including such types as North American Macks, Kenworths and Internationals to European and British types such as Mercedes Benz, Scania, Bedford, Commer, ERF and Leylands.

Itinerary
Monday 11 October
Wellington to Whanganui via Bulls

Tuesday 12 October
Whanganui to New Plymouth via Hawera and Cape Egmont

Wednesday 13 October
New Plymouth to Cambridge via Pio Pio

Thursday 14 October
Cambridge to South Auckland via Maramarua.

Friday 15 October – Sunday 17 October
Some vehicles travel to Cape Rienga and back via Kaitaia
Other vehicles Auckland activities.

Sunday 17 October
South Auckland to Whangamata via Thames

Monday 18 October
Whangamata to Whakatane via Waihi and Rotorua

Tuesday 19 October
Activities around Whakatane

Wednesday 20 October
Whakatane to Gisborne via Opotiki and Wiohene Gorge

Thursday 21 October
Gisborne to Havelock North via Wairoa and Napier

Friday 22 October
Havelock North to Fielding via Manawatu Gorge

Saturday 23 October
Activities around Manawatu

Sunday 24 October
Fielding to Wellington via Masterton

Monday 25 October
South Island trucks return to Picton via Bluebridge ferry
ends