Convoy coming – ‘copy that Rubber Duck’

‘AIN’T SHE A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT’: A line-up of about 70 “classic” trucks will roar into Gisborne on Sunday afternoon and stay overnight in the city during the Northern Classic Commercials North Island Long Lap 2018 rally. Local organiser Gerry Storey is pictured with his 1965 R190 International logger. The trucks will be on display on Monday at the railway yards in Awapuni Road. Picture by Paul Rickard

Participants in the Northern Classic Commercials North Island Long Lap 2018 classic truck “convoy” will stop over in Gisborne late on Sunday and go for a ride on Wa165 on Labour Weekend Monday.

The fleet of about 70 classic trucks will be parked up and on display at the rail yard in Awapuni Road from 8am to midday while their drivers ride on the steam train.

“A number of local classic trucks will join them in the park-up,” said Gisborne organiser Gerry Storey.

“The visitors will go for lunch at the Pacific Haulage depot in Aerodrome Road, have a free afternoon, then meet at the fishing club for dinner.”

Mr Storey said some of the visiting trucks were truly unique.

“Some are very rare and treated with pride and respect by their owners.

"They are a real credit to the folk involved in restoring them.”

The vehicles include most of the big names in trucking — Mack, International, Leyland. Bedford, Kenworth and Mercedes-Benz.

The owners started the classic run in 2006 out of a desire to share their love of trucks with like-minded people.

This year the run started in Whanganui and finishes in Featherston.

“Of the trucks participating, one has come from Australia, another from Riverton in the deep south, a dozen more from the South Island and the rest from around the North Island,” Mr Storey said.

“They head on their way on Tuesday and will stop off in Mahia for lunch.”