Classic truck convoy turns heads as it toots through Hawke's Bay

Scores of classic trucks and wagons tooted their way through Hawke's Bay today, as part of a two-week long convoy to raise the public perception of the transport industry.

The trucks, mostly restored classics, were taking part in the biennial Northern Classic Commercials Club's North Island Long Lap.

Longtime event supporter, Napier's Selwyn Hawthorne took part in the club's Long Lap in 2007 and although he no longer drives said he was delighted to meet up with participants as they travelled through Napier and Hastings.

"It's all for enjoyment, just a lot of guys who have a transport orientation and have restored a vehicle and get together and as many people do, kick tyres and tell lies - it's nostalgia at its best.

"This whole thing is to restore the good name and highlight the good things that the road transport industry does."

Trucks in Northern Classic Commercials North Island Long Lap park-up in Napier. Photo / Paul Taylor

Hawthorne pointed out that the club's very first Long Lap was vital in raising $12,000 to launch the Little Elms Charitable Trust (previously known as Trucking for HB Child Cancer Charitable Trust), which provides accommodation for families of patients at Hawke's Bay Hospital.

The convoy, including trucks dating back to 1937, left Hawke's Bay for Taihape this morning on its way to its final destination, Martinborough.

Event co-organiser Graeme Skou said 93 trucks entered the Hawke's Bay phase of the 3000km trip.

"So, at any one time we will have 60 or 70 trucks travelling, people sort of join in and drop off as we go.

"We do up old trucks and this is our opportunity to drive them around New Zealand. We have people here from Riverton in the South Island to Kaitaia in the north."

Skou said the reception convoy participants had received on the road had been amazing.

"The quality of these places we are visiting and the welcome they give us has been really appreciated."

Despite the age of the trucks, so far there had only been two break-downs.