Classic Motorcycle Mecca opens in Invercargill
Earlier this year Tom Sturgis announced he was disposing of the Nelson Classic Motorcycle Collection (featured in OBA 53) due to ill health. Tom was looking for a buyer to take on his world class collection of over 300 Veteran, Vintage and Classic machines. The trustees of the Bill Richardson Transport World, in Invercargill, took the bold step of buying the whole collection as they saw it as a perfect match to their extensive truck and car collection. With this year’s Burt Munro Challenge being the target opening date an amazing amount of work has been undertaken to open on time. 300 motorcycles, sidecars and 3 wheelers, staging, works of art and memorabilia were transported to Invercargill; involving 15 trips in a specially converted car transporter. Meanwhile a large shop and a night club, in the heart of Invercargill’s CBD on Tay Street, were stripped out and refurbished to take the collection.
I think the collection now looks even better than it did in Nelson. It is now on two floors, staging has been limited to two levels (machines are easier to see), the old exposed brickwork, wood panelling and wooden floorboards add character, there is plenty of natural light and the artwork sets it all off. Dave Roberts has come down from Nelson with the collection to be the curator. Once the mad rush of opening and the Burt Munro Challenge has died down, the trustees intend to extend the facilities so more motorcycles can be put on display. A lot of thought has gone into making it family friendly and wheelchair accessible with an excellent café in the entrance area, and ramps and a lift to ease access. Entry is $20NZ for an adult and there are discounts for children, seniors, students and families. Discounted tickets for entry into both collections can also be purchased. Guy Martin’s involvement with the opening of the Classic Motorcycle Mecca and competing at the Burt Munro Challenge has generated a lot of national media interest and excellent publicity. To have the Classic Motorcycle Mecca and Bill Richardson Transport World collections, as well as the World’s Fastest Indian and other vehicles displayed at E Hayes and Sons, gives Invercargill a massive advantage in attracting visitors to the region.