Relics, classics and vintage trucks took over the Wauchope Showground for the annual Yesteryear Truck and Machinery Show.
With an impressive line-up including old Dodge, Mercedes-Benz, International and Diamond Reo trucks, plus newer models such as a 2014 25th anniversary Freightliner Coronado, the Yesteryear Truck and Machinery Show at Wauchope was always going to be a winner.
Among the other attractions on the weekend of July 11 and 12 were B-model Macks, 1960 Ford F600s, a 1972 Acco, a 1968 Bedford, Austins from the 1950s, some vintage Whites and an ex-Army Mack NR9.
Market stalls, food and drink outlets, and live music from Port Macquarie band Tools Of The Trade added to the festive atmosphere.
Kirby Maxwell organises the truck side of the event and had three of this own trucks on display — a Commer, a Sterling and his well-travelled 1970 Oshkosh.
“It’s getting bigger and better than ever,” Kirby says of the show.
“There’s some beautiful machinery, and they’ve come from Queensland, they’ve come up from down the south coast, and they’ve come from Gulgong out in the Riverina.”
Trucks also arrived from Penrith, and there was good Hunter Valley representation.
The star of the show was a 1943 NR10 Mack, recently brought back to running order by Richard Hollis of the Yesteryear Truck and Machinery Club.
“The motor wasn’t going, the injector pump needed a rebuild, and the water pump and radiator. I put 10 brake boosters on, used 72 air fittings on the brake systems, and she’s running pretty good,” he says.
He also repaired the mudguards, and straightened the bonnet, receiving help from locals who supplied parts, including lights, for the truck.
Not quite as old as the 1943 NR10 but more striking was Robert Hall’s 1964 Mack B61.
Robert bought the B model Mack around five years ago, taking two years and around $130,000 to restore it to its former glory.
Brian Riley was another to arrive with two Macks, although he also brought along a 1968 Bedford.
Brian’s company, B C Riley Haulage, is based at Yarraville, just outside of Kempsey. Although he runs interstate, buying and restoring trucks has become equally as important to him.
Along with his grandfather, Brian began restoring the 6354 Perkins-powered Bedford in the 1990s.
“I took over the restoration, and you see it today in its former glory,” he says.
The second oldest truck among the three was a 1980 Mk1 Super-Liner day cab, which Brian bought in 2010 and finished restoring it in January last year.
“I ran it full-time interstate,” he explains.
“It’s got a big cam 3400, 18-speed Eaton, with a 44 back end, road train rated to 120-tonne.”
Running long-haul in day cab would ring the alarm bells in today’s trucking environment, but not so with Brian.
“It’s called ‘go and buy a swag and start off’,” he laughs.
Pick up the August edition of Owner//Driver magazine for full coverage of the Yesteryear Truck and Machinery Show.
With an impressive line-up, the Yesteryear Truck and Machinery Show at Wauchope was always going to be a winner.Tag a…
Posted by Owner Driver on Monday, 3 August 2015
Photography: Greg Bush