Unique tanker ready for truck parade
A one-of-a-kind Texaco tanker will take part in the annual Southland truck parade through the streets of Invercargill during the long weekend.
The 1940 Dodge Airflow is believed to be the only driveable example in existence, with only two other restored examples known to exist, and is considered the crown jewel of Bill Richardson Transport World.
‘‘We do really think of it as our signature vehicle, and its design really inspired the art deco design of the building and a lot of our branding,’’ Transport World tourism operations manager Hannah Whyte said.
The tanker, affectionately known as Tex, will be taking part in the parade in celebration of the release of the Transport World children’s book The Story Of Tex, The 1940 Dodge Airflow Tanker, which tells the story of Bill Richardson and the four-year-long restoration of the tanker.
The truck has never been paraded in New Zealand and, because of its rarity and its importance to the museum’s col- lection, Whyte said it is highly unlikely the truck would ever be driven on the road again.
‘‘We never say never but it is quite a treat to get it out. It really is pretty special,’’ Whyte said.
Event organiser Mark Purdue said the event is expected to draw about 150 trucks, coming from as far afield as Christchurch and Timaru to be part of the parade.
NZ Fire and Emergency is also expected to have several vehicles in the parade.
‘‘The number of people that actually get out and support it is just unreal,’’ Purdue said.
‘‘The transport companies get right behind it and some of them spend some huge hours on cleaning their rigs. If you drive around the transport companies on Saturday, you see the whole family out there cleaning the rigs, with even the kids helping to polish the wheels,’’ he said.
The parade will start at 1pm on Sunday, with the trucks parading along Bond St, Tweed St and Lindisfarne St, and concluding on Otepuni Ave, near Inglewood Rd.