Many of them are works in progress....

fundraiser for the club. The project was completed late in April and the trucks shifted into their new home over the next few weeks.

The level of integration of the truck enthusiasts into the club was recognised a couple of years ago with the change in name, which also reflects an approach that now covers all transport-related interests.

As Bob Mehrtens points out, the costs associated with running a vintage traction engine, or restoring a classic truck, can be considerable, but old farm tractors are much more accessible to newcomers, and activity in this area is growing.

The emphasis with the museum is very firmly on celebrating the transport history of the region, says Bruce Anderson: “Many of the trucks are painted in the colours of firms from the region. Even if the truck itself might not have worked for a company in its lifetime, if it’s the same model as ones that were actually run by the company then it’s great to have it decked out in their colours.”

Consequently, the display contains classic models from the earliest days of Temuka Transport, Ashburton’s Burnetts Motors, Fairlie’s Barwood Motors and Timaru’s Hilton Haulage. A completed restoration project dear to Bruce’s heart has been a 1972 Volvo

G88, a replica of the one he ran with North Otago Road Metal at the beginning of his driving career.

And while the overall theme is an association with transport companies in the South Canterbury region, in several cases the actual trucks have themselves had a varied and fascinating history.

Several of the vehicles are not owned by club members, but have been loaned by other individuals and organisations. Among this group – and a departure from the general theme of heavy transport vehicles – is an ERF fire engine, the first snorkel unit to be used by the Fire Service in Timaru.

At any given time, not all of the trucks on display are fully restored – many of them are works in progress or awaiting the start of the process.

And even though the new shed is able to accommodate more than 50 units, that’s not the complete pool of those owned by club members – and the plan is to periodically rotate vehicles in and out, thus keeping the display fresh for visitors.

There’s also been a hint that the future might include classic cars, while further down the track a tourist trail-type association with the PleasantPointMuseum&Railway has been mooted. T&D