Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue 414 i Deals On Wheels Australia

There is an air of relief as organisers of the Spirit of the Hume Truck Display assemble for a photograph. They pose near Alan Taylor’s 1975 International TranStar 4070, glad for the mild February weather and pleased a good variety of trucks have made the journey to Broadford, Victoria. “For a first-up event, I think it’s going really well,” says Alan, who is president of the Historic Commercial Vehicle Club of Australia (HCVC). The two-day display has attracted almost 90 vehicles, including about 70 trucks. “I like the theme: Spirit of the Hume,” Alan says. “We’re right on the Hume here, and Broadford is one of the towns that you originally went through when you were running up and down the Hume.” Broadford was bypassed from the Hume Highway in…

Sure, it was a blunt question. Maybe even antagonistic. Still, the occasion and the opportunity were too good to ignore, especially with one of Hino’s most senior Japanese executives seated among the mass of media and local Hino executives gathered for the much-anticipated launch of the new 500 Series wide-cab models. “Do you feel you get enough support in terms of product development from Hino in Japan to be anything other than the perennial bridesmaid to Isuzu?” It was a question directed at Hino Motor Sales Australia (HMSA) chairman and chief executive officer Steve Lotter. To his considerable credit, the response was immediate and to the point. “Would we like more product from Japan? Of course we would,” he declared. However, as Lotter was just as quick to emphasise, Hino…

If the Brisbane Truck Show is the largest trucking event in the Australasia region, New Zealand’s premier transport and heavy equipment showcase, known simply as The Expo, could easily rank as number two. Held every four years at the picturesque valley setting of the Mystery Creek Events Centre, The Expo is unique in many ways. It not only showcases the latest in road transport equipment, but it also attracts a large number of enthusiasts, displaying a large collection of classic and vintage trucks, as well as a show and shine competition on The Expo’s final day. This year’s event took place over three days from March 2 to 4, with most major truck manufacturers having a presence, the Volvo Group and Hino being notable exceptions. What was surprising was the…

Aussies love their antique and classic trucks, but so too do their antipodean brothers across ‘the ditch’, judging by the turnout at The Expo at Mystery Creek near Hamilton. On show were a mix of old Internationals, Whites, Macks, Leylands, a 1962 Bedford fire engine, and much more. The International brand was well represented, with one of the oldest on show being a 1929 International S24 with a Lycoming 4-cylinder side-valve engine. There was also a sprinkling of R190s, a couple of old Loadstars, and a 1947 International KB1 boasting a 73hp Green Diamond 214-cubic-inch engine. The KB1 underwent a complete rebuild between 2011 and 2014 “down to the last nut and bolt”. A light blue 1960 Leyland Beaver attracted plenty of attention. The Beaver was first registered in 1961…