Transport World

Last updated

Transport World
FormationDecember 2015;8 years ago (2015-12)
FounderBill Richardson
Founded atDart Street, Invercargill, New Zealand
TypeTransport attraction
PurposeDisplay collection, attraction, education, events
Location
OwnersJocelyn and Scott O'Donnell
Parent organization
HWR Group
AffiliationsBill Richardson Transport World Classic Motorcycle Mecca
Website transportworld.nz
Bill Richardson Transport World
Bill Richardson Transport World front entrance exterior.jpg
Bill Richardson Transport World
Transport World
Former name
Bill Richardson Truck Museum
EstablishedDecember 2015;8 years ago (2015-12)
Location491 Tay Street, Invercargill, New Zealand
TypeTransport attraction
CollectionsVehicles, machinery, petrol pumps, transport memorabilia, wearable art, social history
FounderBill Richardson
DirectorJocelyn O'Donnell
CuratorGraeme Williams
OwnerJocelyn and Scott O'Donnell
Website transportworld.co.nz
Classic Motorcycle Mecca
Transport World
Former name
NZ Classic Motorcycles
Established23 November 2016 (2016-11-23) [1]
Location25 Tay Street, Invercargill, New Zealand
TypeMotorcycle collection
CollectionsApprox. 300 motorcycles and 80 motorcycle-related artworks
FounderTom Burgess
DirectorJocelyn O'Donnell
OwnerScott and Jocelyn O'Donnell
Website transportworld.nz

Transport World is an organisation that invests in New Zealand tourism, located in Invercargill. It is sectioned into four production branches: Bill Richardson Transport World, Classic Motorcycle Mecca, Lodges at Transport World, and Dig this Invercargill. Bill Richardson Transport World and Classic Motorcycle Mecca are transport displays, showcasing over 300 vintage vehicles as well as incorporating interactive activities. [2] The Lodges At Transport World are boutique apartment accommodations and Dig This Invercargill is an attraction that allows anyone to operate diggers and heavy construction equipment. The Bill Richardson Transport World and Classic Motorcycle Mecca sites both include a restaurant and café; The Grille Café is located at Bill Richardson Transport World, and the Meccaspresso Café at the Classic Motorcycle Mecca.

Contents

Bill Richardson Transport World

Bill Richardson Transport World is a 15,000 square metres (160,000 sq ft) complex of vehicles and transport-related objects. It also has a construction zone for children, a library with a focus on transport and manuals, and an events and conference centre. Bill Richardson Transport World also displays wearable arts and social history objects. Some highlights of their displays include three out of four of John Britten's bikes, including the V1000 Cardinal and a rare 1940 Dodge Airflow truck.

Background

Bill Richardson, a Southland businessman, first business was a transport company called Southern Transport. Under his guidance, it grew into the HWR Group. When he bought trucks for the business, he had to concede that sometimes he, in his words, "bought a truck more with our hearts than with our heads." Transport World's collection began in 1967 when Bill Richardson began collecting old trucks, which by the time of his death in 2005 had grown to 150 vehicles including both trucks and farm vehicles. [3] He also collected petrol pumps and other transport-related memorabilia such as signs and toy models. In 2015, Richardson's daughter Jocelyn and her husband Scott O'Donnell decided to open up the collection to the public. A new extension was built and in November 2015 Bill Richardson Transport World was opened.

Collections

Bill and his family collected many rare and unusual vehicles, along with popular classic vehicles. The collection spans from a 1904 Ford Ac car to a 2016 Dub Box caravan.

Collections focus on:

Vehicle highlights

Most of the vehicles in Bill Richardson Transport World are rare, unusual or significant.

Highlights include:

Exhibitions

The following exhibitions are on display at Bill Richardson Transport World:

Interactive elements

Bill Richardson Transport World has several interactive elements to its attraction:

Classic Motorcycle Mecca

Classic Motorcycle Mecca is a display of motorcycles showcased over two floors of a restored warehouse in Invercargill's CBD. Classic Motorcycle Mecca also displays motorcycle-related artwork.

Background

Classic Motorcycle Mecca's collection began in 2008 when Tom Sturgess purchased a 1965 Triumph Cub. By 2014 he had nearly 300 motorcycles and over 80 pieces of motorcycle-related art. [11] In 2016 Tom and Heather Sturgess, owners of NZ Classic Motorcycles, put their motorcycle collection up for sale. [12] Joc and Scott O'Donnell bought most of the bikes and art and moved the collection to two old restored warehouses in Invercargill's CBD. It opened in late 2016. [13]

Motorcycles

The motorcycles on display at Classic Motorcycle Mecca range in age from a 1902 Motosacoche to a one-of-a-kind 2007 Vincent Black Shadow.

Highlights include:

Artwork

Highlights include the La Motosacoche – Brevetée en Tous Pays Poster and numerous pieces from the early 20th century.

The Lodges At Transport World

The Lodges at Transport World are boutique accommodations for visitors, consisting of 6 two bedroom apartments. The Lodges were opened in mid-2017 and are managed by Graeme and Esther Bradford.

Dig This Invercargill

Dig This Invercargill is based on the successful Dig This Las Vegas attraction. It allows anyone to operate diggers and heavy construction equipment in a safe and controlled environment. It was expected to be opened in late 2017.

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References

  1. "Classic Motorcycle Mecca Officially Open!". transportworld.nz. 23 November 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  2. "Bill Richardson Transport World | Activity in Southland, New Zealand". www.newzealand.com. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  3. Richardson, Bill (1999). Clive Lind (ed.). Wheels & Deals. Invercargill: Craig Printing Co, Ltd. ISBN   047306278X.
  4. Clive Lind, ed. (2006). Trucks: A vintage collection. Invercargill: Craig Printing Co, Ltd. ISBN   0908629672.
  5. Strohl, Daniel (25 September 2011). "SIA Flashback – 1939 Dodge Airflow Truck: Streamlining Goes Heavy-Duty". Hemmings Blog. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  6. Lyons, Dan (11 March 2013). "Rear View Mirror: Dodge Airflow Tanker". timesunion. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  7. Clive Lind, ed. (2006). Trucks: A vintage collection. Invercargill: Craig Printing Co, Ltd. ISBN   0908629672.
  8. Clive Lind, ed. (2006). Trucks: A vintage collection. Invercargill: Craig Printing Co, Ltd. ISBN   0908629672.
  9. Transport World (18 May 2017). "George Begg race car zooms in". Transport World. Retrieved 25 May 2017.
  10. Nicholl, Dave (2 February 2017). "Pork Pie stars wrap tour and unveil movie exhibition at Transport World". Southland Times. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  11. Moore, Bill (17 February 2016). "Sturgess to close his 300-motorcycle Nelson collection". Stuff.co.nz. Fairfax. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
  12. Moore, Bill (17 May 2016). "Nelson's NZ Classic Motorcycles to move to Invercargill". Stuff. Fairfax. Retrieved 22 March 2017.
  13. Media Release (23 November 2016). "Classic Motorcycle Mecca officially open!". Scoop.co.nz. Retrieved 22 March 2016.

46°24′36.73″S168°22′50.7″E / 46.4102028°S 168.380750°E / -46.4102028; 168.380750