Vintage Car Club award ‘great honour’ for store
AN Invercargill store has been recognised by the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (VCCNZ) for its long history of preserving and displaying vintage vehicles.
E Hayes and Sons was the recipient of the award which acknowledges the efforts by the company both in the preservation and display of vintage vehicles, and the support given to the Southland branch of the club for more than 60 years.
Only eight have been been bestowed by VCCNZ since 2004.
The business is the custodian of a private collection of more than 100 classic, vintage and modern motorcycles, automobiles, engines, equipment and memorabilia known as the E Hayes Motorworks Collection.
The collection’s centrepiece is Burt Munro's authentic, original and legendary 1920 Indian Scout motorcycle, the ‘‘Munro Special’’ — known as ‘‘The World's Fastest Indian’’.
This is the bike on which Burt Munro set his speed record of 184.087mph at the Bonneville Salt Flats in the United States on August 26, 1967.
Managing director Neville Hayes said his family always had a passionate interest in vintage cars and motorcycles.
“It began with my grandfather Irving Hayes, who started the business in Invercargill almost 90 years ago. That interest was continued by my father Norman and passed on to me,” he said.
“To be recognised in this way by the club is a great honour for us all and we are very proud to receive it.”
The collection is on permanent display throughout the store and is available for all visitors to view free of charge during shop opening hours.