Invercargill is home to the Bill Richardson Transport World which is now expanding its specialist offerings with the New Zealand Classic Motorcycle collection
Bill Richardson Transport World
New Zealand’s southern city Invercargill is building a reputation as a “must-do destination” for those interested in transport heritage. Invercargill is home to the Bill Richardson Transport World which is now expanding its specialist offerings with the New Zealand Classic Motorcycle collection. Less than 12 months ago, Bill Richardson Transport World – the largest private collection of its type in the world – opened its doors to the public. The Richardson legacy is about to be extended with the announcement that it will be bringing a collection of classic motorbikesВ to Invercargill. Originally housed in Nelson, the motorcycle collection will move south for a permanent new home in the centre of Invercargill. The Sturgess motorcycle collection will be featuring close to 300 motorcycles and motorcycle-focused art.
The collection ranges from a 1902 Peugeot motorcycle to a 21st Century Simms Corbin Custom and includes brands such as AJS, Ariel, BMW, Brough Superior, Harley Davidson, Henderson, Indian, Matchless, Rudge as well as little known brands such as the Schwinn and Zundapp.
Scott O’Donnell, director, Transport World, said, “We are pleased to be bringing this collection to Invercargill and believe it is a perfect complement to our existing Transport World experience and Invercargill, given its strong links to motorbikes.”
Invercargill also happens to be the home of Burt Munro, a New Zealand motorcycle racer, famous for setting a world speed record in 1967.
The Burt Munro Challenge
The Southland Motorcycle Club created the Burt Munro Challenge to honour Munro. The inaugural event was held in 2006, and it has since forged a name for itself as one of New Zealand’s major motorsport events. The next edition of the Burt Munro Challenge will be held from November 24 to 27, 2016, at Oreti Park, Dunns Road, Otatara, Invercargill.
Bill Richardson Transport World
Bill Richardson Transport World is the largest private collection of its type in the world. A prominent Invercargill businessman, the late Bill Richardson had a lifelong fascination with trucks which grew into a collection of vehicles. At the time of his passing in 2005, Bill had over 170 vehicles. Until recently the collection could only be viewed by private appointment but it has been open to the public since December 2015.
There are over 250 vehicles on display at Transport World and the collection continues to grow. New vehicles both restored and unrestored find their way to the museum, and today visitors can find a mix of trucks, rare vintage vehicles, racing cars, wearable fashion and children’s entertainment. The collection is a mixture of rare and internationally significant vehicles, as well as vehicles and pieces that hold a special connection to the family.
Rare vehicles at Bill Richardson Transport World include a Stewart 1 ton truck, the only one of its kind in the world. A fully restored Dodge Airflow Texaco Tanker, one of only three in the world, is a popular attraction along with a collection of Henry Ford’s early alphabet cars and VW Kombi vans.
