Heritage trucks back for Brisbane

Heritage Truck Association event to coincide with the Brisbane Truck Show as it returns to its traditional home at Rocklea

The Heritage Truck Association Australia (HTAA) has confirmed its big annual classic truck show will be held at its regular home of Rocklea Showgrounds in Brisbane on May 20 to 21.

In 2021, with COVID in full swing, the classic truck event was cancelled, only to be granted space at the Brisbane Truck Show to exhibit several of its prized members’ vehicles in a prominent location.

It turned out to be among the most popular exhibitions as members displayed 12 classics: a 1946 Ford Jailbar ‘Roxanne’ painstakingly restored by show partner NTI, a 1948 Chevrolet Loadmaster, a 1954 International AR110, a 1962 Mack H673 ST, a 1970 International Loadstar, a 1971 Mercedes Benz 1418 LS, a 1972 AEC Marshal, a 1973 Kenworth W924, a 1975 Bedford KMR/XT5, a 1975 International D1310, a 1978 International 3070B, and a 1986 Kenworth W925 SAR.

Michelle Wilkie with her dad Ken Wilkie and the 1946 Ford Jailbar

“It was certainly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our club to be an exhibitor at the 2021 Brisbane Truck Show,” says the HTAA’s Michelle Wilkie.

“The amount of interest from other exhibitors and the public in the heritage truck display was wonderful to see and gave another dimension to the show.

“Being a first-time exhibitor, the process was daunting at first but all went smoothly, from bump in to bump out and everything in between.”

A 1962 Mack, one of a number of HTAA members’ trucks, on show at Brisbane in 2021

However, with Rocklea being only 15 minutes from the Brisbane Entertainment and Exhibition Centre, the HTAA show is expected to entice visitors away the big Brisbane event.

Wilkie says the association is hoping to once again see the showground at capacity, filled with all different makes and models of trucks, tractors, cars, utes and machines.

Wilkie says the exceptional response to the exhibition reflects an increase in interest in historic trucks in recent years, a trend also mirrored by steady growth in the number of trucks on show at its events as well as HTAA membership.

“These historic trucks are a piece of our history and if not restored, we will lose those pieces of history,” she says.

An immaculate 1975 Bedford

“Some of these vehicles have been lovingly restored to their original glory and create a spectacular display. There is a pride and passion by all members in their vehicles.”

Held on the third weekend in May every year at Rocklea Showgrounds, the annual event has experienced strong growth in the volume of exhibitors showcasing their trucks, tractors, machinery and stationary engines.

At the last show in 2019, more than 200 trucks were on display and the showground was at full capacity, Wilkie says.

“On average we would see approximately 1,500 attendees through the gates each day,” she adds.

This Kenworth W924 looks as good as the day it rolled out of the showroom in 1973

With a motto ‘Keeping Old Wheels Turning’, the HTAA was founded in 2002 when an ad was placed in Brisbane’s Courier Mail seeking interested parties to attend an inaugural meeting where the idea was floated to form a new club to promote the preservation of heritage trucks and associated memorabilia.

The club kicked off with 13 foundation members and membership now sits at 498 financial members.

This well-cared-for ’71 Mercedes-Benz 1418 LS is certain to be on show at Rocklea in May

The first HTAA show was held on July 26, 2003 at Mt Gravatt Showgrounds, before moving to Beenleigh Showgrounds in 2006, and on to Rocklea Showgrounds in 2013. However, the 2022 event was moved to Beaudesert Showgrounds due to flooding.

The HTAA also stages club runs every month plus members attend other clubs’ events, including the Yesteryear Truck & Machinery Club at Wauchope, the Kingaroy & District Vintage Machinery Club, and Toowoomba & District Old Machinery Society.

For more info on the Heritage Truck Association Australia show at Rocklea, click here.

Photography: Greg Bush