On the road towards Part 1: The trucks

Watch it, touch it, sit in it… maybe light the passion that just might result in the ride of your life in amazing industries doing business at the economy’s front end.

“This year’s event felt successful in every way,” said Allan Dippie. “The volunteers and vehicle enthusiast contributors were exceptional. The sun was shining. We had record numbers through the gate, and everyone had a wonderful time.

“Now, we have the challenge of bettering our efforts in 2025! But that’s a wonderful challenge to have.”

The further you look into Wheels at Wanaka, the more messages there are. I started by saying it’s becoming a pilgrimage of sorts. Why is that? What is it that this show delivers? Something we used to have, which we are now, in some way, denied? I think we all know the answer, really.

Long may it continue.

At the time of writing, promotions and event coordinator Annabel Roy didn’t have the final divvy-up of proceeds to the various beneficiary organisations. So watch this space – more good news is on the way.

We hope you enjoy this pictorial coverage.

TRUCK RESULTS

Veteran	1926 Chevrolet 30Cwt Pick-up, Sollys Freight 1978, Ed Solly
Pre-war	1924 MT Ford, Brian Cossey
Classic	1980 Ford 2418 (Mt Cook livery), ProTranz, Brayden McKenzie-Coleman
Small	1936 International C1, Des Gray Motors, Des Gray
British	1957 Karrier (BA Turner livery), Peter Turner Contracting, Peter Turner
American	2014 Kenworth T409 SAR, Riverview Contracting, Asha Lowes
European	1968 Mercedes-Benz L1428 (Mossburn Transport livery), Tom Roberts
Kenworth	1989 Kenworth K100E (Lakeview Farms livery), Tahmac Haulage, Robin Wildbore (Southpac sponsored)
Mack	1984 Mack Super-Liner, Satherley Logging, Bevan Satherley
International	1981 International 1910C Acco (Maxwell Bros livery), Graham Maxwell

Elite Excavation from Blenheim with a two-for-one deal: a 1983 International S-Line 350 – restored in the nick of time – and its load heading to Wheels at Wanaka 2023.

The Kenworth T904 of Skevington Contracting from Palmerston, just south of Oamaru, blasts up SH6 north of Cromwell loaded with the company’s Caterpillar 651B motor scraper.

Bringing the big gear in: BR Satherley Transport carts the huge Caterpillar 789 dump truck to the show.

One of the first two Kenworths to arrive on our shores in 1964. Owned by New Zealand Forest Products when new, the Kenworth heralded a new era in log haulage, able to cart 100 tonnes. In its restoration, Porter Group has done New Zealand’s trucking history a huge service.

McDonough Contracting in Mataura owns this sharp International 9800i, seen here piggybacking its older but equally sharp friend – the company’s C1200 International.

Fiveash Contracting in Christchurch showed off its P113m Scania.

Fresh from a recent birthday, Austin Transport from sunny Nelson owns this sharp 1988 Kenworth K100E, which you could say is now semi-retired. For the propeller-heads among you, it was new in the livery of Hamilton-based Tony Gailbraith Ltd.

West Coast Ag Contractors’ Dwayne Solly recently completed an extensive refurbishment on this 2011 Kenworth T659. The level of detail in the rebirth is outstanding.

When the CH Mack arrived in the early 1990s, its gorgeous lines made it a worthy successor to the R-model. Originally owned by LCL from Hamilton, this sharp 2001 example was in quite the sad state 12 months ago when Christchurch’s Cam Lill got hold of it and worked his restoration magic. God bless that fellow.

Daniel Warnock owns this 2007 Mack Trident, which he’s recently treated to a big birthday. It proudly takes its place in the Mack parade.

Ryal Bush’s 1996 T2700. The company bought the truck new and recently repurchased her for restoration to this magnificent state.

Bruce Robinson drove this 1996 454 MH Mack day cab from new for Clinton Waipahi Transport. Bruce has enjoyed a distinguished career in rural transport in the South Island and is today a shareholder at RTL. Via a stealth family operation, Bruce was reunited with his pride and joy in 2021.

Oxford Transport owned this 1980 R-model Mack new. It has been restored to showroom condition by Frews Transport.

Here’s a truck that’s been in Wanaka its whole life and even worked on sealing the last part of the Lindis Pass – Maungatua Contracting’s W-model ‘Kenny’.

What a classic. With Dynes Transport its whole life, this magnificently restored 1984 K124 Kenworth day cab was driven new by the legendary Alf Barnett.

The miracle child at Wanaka this year. ‘Do your worst, Cyclone Gabrielle; you won’t stop this super-dog getting to Wanaka!’ The crowd was full of admiration for Bevan Satherley, arriving from Napier in his 1984 V8 Mack Super- Liner, The Hulk.

Knighton Farms from Kiapoi has an impressive collection of trucks in its colours, including this 1970 International Acco 1820. What a little honey.

Mathew Hilhorst, driving the Pokuru Farms Ultra-Liner, waved the Mack V8 and truck industry flag with honour in the pull competition. He made three clean runs before additional chains under the sled stopped him just short.

The Guy Knowles unit. Looking at that, they’re not going to be too hard a sell, really.

A K220 in Release Red. This machine will find a home in the keep of McCarthy Transport Contractors.

The Dynes Transport K220 tanker has been out in the workforce for several months. There was no shortage of interest or questions.