We reprint the following missive from our resident adventurer, Brian Croot – truck pilot:
Hello Sam,
Mavoura and I thoroughly enjoyed the truck rally in Invercargill at Labor Weekend, and we would like to thank you for letting us take you Chev. The rally was a wonderful tribute to Bill Richardson and a fitting memorial. There were 240 trucks entered, with many from the North Island as far as Hamilton, Rotorua. Most of these came in a convoy through Nelson and the west Coast to Invercargill. 40 Truck enthusiasts from Australia also attended, making the numbers at the Sunday evening dinner over 400! Tim Shadbolt was the guest speaker and gave his usual promotion of Southland with much hilarity.
The extension to the truck museum was opened on Friday evening with drinks and supper and a tour of the museum. On Saturday we assembled at Southern Transport yard and set off on a tour of Southland, had a bbq lunch at Thornbury Vintage Machinery Museum then out to Oreti Park near Oreti Beach where all the trucks were parked in groups by make, and photographed. On Sunday morning all the trucks were parked on the three street’s which surround the museum and photos were taken from a very high crane. At 1pm the street parade began and the 240 trucks were joined by modern counterparts to make a 316 truck spectacle, and the dinner at Ascot Park Hotel brought the weekend to a close.
Two Paddocks was the only 1947 Chevrolet at the rally and we received many admiring and congratulatory comments about the appearance and standard of restoration. The Chev performed impeccably to and from Invercargill and throughout the rally.
Brian
Bill Richardson Truck Museum, 39 Inglewood Rd, Invercargill
Arguably, the largest private collection of its type in the world. Vehicles ranging from 1911 to 2003, there are over 170 trucks representing some 50 manufacturers.
Museum open by appointment.
EMAIL
[email protected]
PHONE
+64 3 449 2756
TWO PADDOCKS LTD.
PO Box 506
Alexandra 9340
Central Otago
New Zealand
Sale of Liquor License Ref: OF129
Licence No. 67/OFF/30/2022
Expires 24th August 2025