Things to do in Invercargill when you like things with engines

A surfeit of automobiles exists In Invercargill

I am now nearly three weeks into this latest adventure of mine and I have reached a major destination goal - Invercargill.

I am sure that anyone who know me, and those who follow my Substack articles, will realise that I love both history and museums, and I also love anything that has wheels, especially if connected to an engine (although I am also very fond of push bikes). So, where better to go to than Invercargill where there are three (3) particular places I planned on visiting:

1. E Hayes & Sons where they have a number of automobiles, mainly motorcycles, scattered around a working hardware shop.

2. Motorcycle Mecca where they have more than 300 Motorcycles and the George Begg racing car collection

3. Richardsons Transport World, the largest private truck and car museum of its type in the world.

Bring it on is all I can say.

Invercargill Day 1: E.Hayes & Son

A leisurely walk into town and I was there. I have always loved Hardware Shops and even hoped of working in one, after retirement, but this was next tier. I would trade my right (or left) arm to work in this place - it’s got all the tools in the world, and it’s got motorcycles galore. This display was just inside the door, and it set the tone for the visit. I recall seeing those little vans often in Christchurch.

I have been known to spend a couple of hours in Mitre10 and Bunnings, but this place has more. A significant part of the display is the Burt Munro “World’s Fastest Indian” display, with all parts of Burt’s journey, including his tools and his forged engine parts.

There were many other bikes and a few racing cars, and it was completely free. I did have a coffee and cake in their very nice cafe, because I need to collect myself, and work out if they needed an older staff member. I jest, but there was a really nice, friendly, and helpful atmosphere inside the shop. Long may it continue.

Invercargill Day 2: Motorcycle Mecca

My dear brother Bruce (remember everybody needs a Bruce) advised that I would need a day in each of the Motorcycle Mecca and Richardson’s Transport. Well, he was not wrong about Motorcycle Mecca.

When I first went in, I got my tickets for both venues at a very reasonable $60. But I needed to use the toilet before I started my slow wander around. This really set up the day, the taps all worked automatically - it was great.

After this initial excitement I firstly went to the Britton display. I have long admired John Britton and lusted over the Britton displayed in Te Papa Museum. To see so many Britton bikes in the same place, and to read all the history, and to watch the videos was worth the price of admission itself. He was a remarkable man, and he died far too soon.

Then I looked at the George Begg collection. George Begg was also an automotive genius, but his passion was racing cars. There was a whole basement area devoted to his collection and some interesting videos. I didn’t capture it but there was an Austin Healy that Bruce McLaren raced in - not allowed to touch but it was awesome being within centimeters of where he sat and won races (Bruce Mclaren was a hero of mine and it was great just reliving that feeling). The collection ranges from Formula Ford through to F5000 and is also worth the admission price on its own.

So, then we were into the motorcycles, over 300 of them. I took photo after photo, but I only have room for a couple.

There were many bikes, many I have ridden, and many I have wanted to ride in the past, but there were many exotic machines including Brough Superiors, Vincents, Indians, Harleys, Triumphs, BSA’s, Velocette’s, etc., etc. They ranged from early 20th century through to 21st century, road bikes, racing bikes, sidecars, scramblers, scooters et al, and it was almost overwhelming. The following picture shows five Brough Superiors (The Rolls Royce of motorcycles) parked together and there are at least three others in the collection.

After 3.5 hours I emerged exhausted and wonderous. I am so glad I went and spent the time, not rushing, watching all the videos and revisiting my past. It was interesting seeing the grey brigade being the majority of the visitors.

Invercargill Day 3: Transport World

It was a cold and wet night in Invercargill, but I was awake and ready early for this much anticipated expedition. I was there just after it opened, along with some others from the grey brigade - a recurring theme of my travels in this neck of the woods.

After yesterday at the Motorcycle Mecca, I just had to go to the toilets and see the facilities. I was not disappointed.

After being really pleasantly greeted at reception and provided with a ‘map’, I set off with my first view being of the 1940 Dodge RX70 Airflow Texaco Tanker, thought to be the only working one left in the world. It’s a great picture but up close it is magnificent. Within the first 5 minutes I think I had received value for my entry fee.

Then came the step-by-step viewing of every vehicle in the huge building. Of particular interest to me were:

• the collection of 1950’s and 1960’s utility vehicles (small trucks)

• the Nissan GTR Skyline collection including an R32, R33, R34

• the Goodbye Pork Pie exhibition

• the Four-Square Model T Ford Delivery Van

• The Petrol Pump collection

• The Bill Richardson workshop recreation

There is not room to show all the images of my visit, but it was just amazing.

Summary

Mick Jagger may once have described Invercargill as the “arsehole of the world”. My view is completely opposite, and I want to acknowledge and thank Invercargill for the investment in such history.