(EP27) Bill Richardson's Transport World! Invercargill, New Zealand

Yes, the 'HubNut Goes Global' tour recommences! While in Invercargill (see episode 26), I took several hours to explore Bill Richardson's Transport World. It's an incredible museum, with a large collection of classic trucks, the odd bus, several tractors and some classic cars thrown into the mix for good measure. Three generations of Richardson's family have added their own spin over the years and it is still a family business. Enjoy! (oh, there's some bonus Motorcycle footage from Bill Richardson's Motorcycle Mecca at the end).
HubNut support and shop options can be found by visiting hubnut.org - Christmas deadlines fast approaching! Internal stickers back in stock soon.

[@howiesiesoosoo]

I was privileged to know Bill (RIP) when he was alive - I worked for Mack Trucks in Australia and visited him often as he was one of, if not the largest Mack operators in New Zealand. My visits included to his Invercargill premises and I saw first-hand the work of his team as they restored some of the rarest trucks available. I even saw them restoring an old Sterling from decades before Ford tried to resurrect the name here in Australia and New Zealand. It was remarkable to see the transformation of the famous Caltex Dodge that was in far from healthy condition when he acquired it. I was fortunate enough to travel the world whilst working in the truck industry and I can safely say I believe his museum in Invercargill is the best private truck museum anywhere on this planet. If you are a car or truck enthusiast and are visiting New Zealand, do not miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to see the best there is.

[@RichieRouge206]

I can’t get over the standard of museums over in New Zealand! They’re amazing places! A fabulous tour and a lovely town it is too!

[@johnwhelan9834]

What a great place,,crammed full of interesting vehicles, thanks for the walk round ian,,great stuff.

[@markfortin421]

WOW! What a stunning collection of trucks...something from all over the world , from the earliest to the latest. Thanks for the tour Ian, if I went I could spend days there...pack a lunch and go to heaven. ✌😄

[@sandyt4343]

Just spent a full day in this and it’s overwhelming to see so many of these rare machines. What a fantastic collection

[@flemmingsorensen5470]

The Texaco tanker is SWEEET 👍 What a cracking museum, loving especially the Volvo and Mercedes trucks, bring back memories!

[@neilforbes416]

You'll never find a straight Mercedes! They've all got Benz in them! LOL

[@flemmingsorensen5470]

Neil Forbes 😉👍

[@neilforbes416]

@@flemmingsorensen5470 Thought you'd like that one!

[@omepeet2006]

@@neilforbes416 Not all of them..! Those built between 1904 and 1926 are straight as.

[@neilforbes416]

@@omepeet2006 That's my standard joke about Mercedes cars, trucks and buses.

[@graemew7001]

One thing I've learned so far on this trip is that New Zealanders certainly know how to do a seriously interesting museum.

[@garynew9637]

You should see their aviation museums. World quality!

[@graemew7001]

@@garynew9637 I'm one for museums, always interesting to see what came before to see how we got to where we are today. I could spend a full holiday looking round the ones Ian's been to and the scrap yards, much more me than lying on a poxy beach.

[@zugbug1986]

@@graemew7001 Oh yes I would as well, scrapyards and motor museums beat sunbathing everytime.

[@graemew7001]

@@zugbug1986 There's not much they don't beat lol. I'm ginger so sunbathing isn't really recommend for me anyway, after all who wants to look like a tomato? 😂

[@schlookie]

@@garynew9637 Yup, agreed there. MOTAT in Auckland - complete with Short Sunderland, Short Solent, and Avro Lancaster amongst others. The Alpine fighter collection, Tauranga Airport - Classic Flyers, plus many many others. I don't think Hubnut is into planes though! Heaps of preserved steam railways in NZ too. The Waiouru Army museum is worth a look also.

[@gryfandjane]

So the world will end not with a bang nor a whimper, but with a Ptchooo... ;-) Another really amazing episode. That is truly a fine museum, and a bit overwhelming when you think about it. Thanks for the detailed walkthrough!

[@profrumpo]

Can't say I'm a truck or motorcycle person, but one can't fail to enjoy that tour with the highlight that quite superb Dodge Texaco tanker. A remarkable collection and Bill Richardson's daughter should be very proud of her achievement in displaying and expanding her late dads collection, he would be delighted.

[@Shane_Marsh]

Ian your truck and car knowledge is immense, your videos are superb and of a quality you just don't see anymore .

[@MrGarethDHughes]

Thank you very much for letting us see this wonderful musium. Very interesting. Full of greatness.

[@harpsi8]

Sublime museum tour, So well done, Your video coverage Ian. Throughly amazing collection. Got to praise Mr Bill Richardson's hard work. I really enjoyed it. Rich&2 carnivorous cats LA.CALIF USA.

[@78a67h]

You are a walking encyclopedia on vehicles of all kinds. So amazing, I cannot stop watching again and again.

[@rexjaru]

Crikey! That’s one shiny floor! 25:04 They must have an army of dusters and polishers in attendance - that’s not a bad thing, they’ve got every reason to be proud of this collection.

[@PaulinesPastimes]

Thank goodness you found a typewriter, the suspense was killing me. Now we know where all the trucks, tractors and motor bikes in the world have gone to :-) Lovely things everywhere. Thank you. Cheers.

[@cockneyse]

It was the relief in Ian's voice that got me on here wanting to find a comment or add mine :-)

[@stevedane787]

Seeing the TS3 takes me back to my schooldays. The building was alongside a bit of an incline, with a tight 90 degree bend at the bottom, so a loaded Commer had to pull hard from virtually a dead stand. Get the revs up and the windows used to vibrate and the teacher became inaudible. Wonderful noise

[@davecooper3238]

I enjoyed the bikes add-on section. I remember the early 70s seeing a Benelli Sei ( 750cc 6 cylinder ) racing in the Isle of Man TT. I watched at The Bungalow. You could hear it coming for miles and then away up Hailwood Heights. It sounded glorious.

[@paultreadwell8612]

Even if you're not a motorbike fan, I think you would find the John Britten story really interesting.

[@nicklowe536]

Guy martin has a short bit on the bikes in one of his books which I want to say is when your dead your dead but I'm now wondering if its worms to catch. He got the chance to ride one of the bikes

[@charliemansonUK]

@@nicklowe536 Guy is a bloody awesome fella

[@griffspeed]

I was just going to comment the same thing! My jaw dropped when i saw the V1000 in the bonus footage... Im sure i read somewhere that there is a monument to the great man in Christchurch somewhere!

[@m1keheard]

What he said. A world beating bike made in a shed.

[@stevewilson8467]

Seeing Bruce Anstey with a V1000 behind the grandstand was the highlight of my TT a few years ago. Properly heroic guy on an iconic machine.

[@ianstewartorr8455]

Wow what a collection thanks hub nut for your wonderful videos i do Remember most of these vehicles of my 55 years

[@danwb6957]

Awesome collection and in my home town, My Grandfather drove similar trucks for South Roads in the 70s. True truck history from the deep south, Amazing!

[@noirodracing]

Superbe collection .Respect Mr Richardson et merci

[@davidbegg]

Really pleased you managed to get to Bill Richardson's Transport World. An incredible place with lots of mechanical treasures.

[@kiwistuckinuk]

16:33, I remember this being kept in back of sugar store when I worked at Stewarts Transport. Sat in it a couple of times, never drove it but followed it (being driven by Kevin Gardner I think) in my truck around the Festival Week procession one year. Used to be every January, not sure if they still have Festival week.

[@DalekBuilder]

That's a superb museum with some fantastic things on show. The ts3 diesel engine has a sound of its own. Reminds me of the napier deltic sound at certain points. Great Hubnut video.

[@nouvalari]

Damn..i was an apprentice and worked on those Commer engines!I even used the blower for a drag bike back in the day......memory stir here and thanks to you Ian!

[@simonhaycocks]

WOW!!!! What a fabulous museum. These kiwis sure know how to do it. As a truck driving car nut and ex motorcyclist this place really is nirvana! Shame its 11,753 miles away from me 😔

[@jeeaaenlourens1434]

Again a big variety museum, very impressive collection a joy to watch. Thanks a lot for sharing Ian!!

[@geoffnoyes520]

That's my old international C1 at 34:36, ! Rescued near Waverley 1985 or so and had a 'so so ' restoration by me based on a milk delivery cab, ( wooden with no doors). Brought from me by William Miller and expertly converted to the bread delivery style truck as delightfully displayed in this wonderful museum. My name is on the truck's information board as the one who rescued it. I would love to be re united with my old C1 but l don't think that will happen now, as i live in Feilding New Zealand, and don't have the finances for the travel. Good memories, and great to know it's now safe in a museum.

[@doncoleman4938]

Great to see so many with period correct number plates. Another enjoyable video.

[@barryphillips7327]

Truly a magnificent museum Ian,

[@olspanner]

An absolutely fabulous collection of vehicles. A credit to the man and an addition to my Bucket list.

[@jbz2079]

A great Museum there Ian, lots to see, I like the Ducati GT 750 you breezed past, Surely sexy motorcycle art? The best looking motorcycle ever, according to me a quite a few others.

[@philiplindley7384]

I didn't realise that Kiwi's were such wonderful people until your trip over there, you obviously had previous knowledge.

[@Ribeirasacra]

25:45. Typewriters may populate museums in NZ. However, here in Spain they still populate offices, banks etc and sometimes you may be seen in action!

[@robertngreen6]

What an astonishing collection of trucks and so much more! I think you need a day or two to see everything here!

[@dquad]

Congratulations on finding the typewriter.

[@micheltebraake7915]

When I go to that museum, I need a week to see everything and to absorb it. Thank you Ian for taking us on this journey of discovery.

[@stevenjones19-m8i]

Hi Ian,what a great video,I like to see the old vintage trucks,cars,bikes,and left as original,it's quite a big museum to look around.

[@alanfunt4013]

Jay Leno would be impressed, what a collection!

[@christopherrodmell1694]

Ok so imagine if he happened to be on vacation in New Zealand , he came here to Invercargill and saw this building and thought yeah why not, and he didn’t believe the collection, and was incredibly jealous of the extremely rare Texaco tanker truck, like nah I could imagine if he’s seeing some types of vehicles that he hasn’t seen for a long time

[@grayfool]

Again you amaze us Ian. I think I could spend many months doing the NZ museum tour. Probably culminating in divorce proceedings. Thank you for saving me that. See, you have not only given us a huge amount of enjoyment but saved my marriage too. My hero!

[@RWBHere]

‘And who. doesn’t like a random bust?’ had me spraying coffee across the table. You made my day by showing that Brough Superior SS100 combination.Thanks, Ian. The scooter with sidecar is one thing, but I once saw a family travelling up Irby Hill in Lincolnshire, using a Lambrettta with matching sidecar and trailer. Mother and child in the sidecar. Huge cloud of blue smoke, but it made it without too much stress.

[@kennethhume8628]

Thank you for the additional footage of motorcycles , very much appreciated .😊👍👍👍

[@joseantonioquintanillaflor3458]

Recordados con romanticismo mecanico donde aprendi a reparlarlos como buen mecanico. Las mejores maquinas... incomparables en la historia del mundo automotriz. Gracias

[@ThePowerbloke]

Thank you once again for a great tour Ian. Nothing like the sound of a two stroke diesel, especially the TS3! Don't know about in the UK or New Zealand but the TS3 engines and the Commer trucks were/are commonly called 'Commer Knockers' here in Australia. I remember how confused I was when someone first tried to explain their configuration as three cylinders but six pistons didn't make sense at first. :-)

[@susanmclean1473]

Yep! Three cylinders, six pistons, six rockers, 12 con-rods, and one crankshaft! Marvelous motor! (Craig, borrowing his wife's computer, as mine went 'flooey' last week)

[@michaeld7409]

Full of interesting vehicles, and the unrestored ones...lovely!

[@neilwalsh4058]

Excellent tour with a massive tap in on the deep Hubnut well of facts.

[@MrTrundleon]

Great museum, thanks for taking me there! The Fargo brand of trucks were built and sold in Canada, as a division of Chrysler The American Dodge brand was nearly identical.

[@mattwalker4034]

Great museum! Fantastic cars and bikes. loads of sidecar action, popular in the 50's and 60's rare these days. Love a bit of motor history.

[@1066gaz]

Great video. Good to see your showing bikes more.

[@gord307]

Another amazing museum. Glad you found a typewriter! Thank you for the tour :-)

[@p24hrsmith]

Nice to see a bunch of old trucks preserved

[@rossr100]

Hey, my old home town! Excellent video, glad you got to the bike museum too.

[@bentullett6068]

Another interesting museum viewed. Need to now find a museum that just has the complete history of the typewriter.

[@emjayay]

www.typinglounge.com/typewriter-museums

[@spuriouspodge7416]

A supercharged 2 stroke Diesel? I didn't need an excuse to go find videos. What an awesome sounding engine the Commer TS3 is.

[@bombakdik]

As mentioned previously, and thankfully, you noticed it by yourself, is that the new camera doesn't like those reflecting lights inside buildings or showroom halls. Lovely museum! I LOVE that "early" Husqvarna cross on 33:35 where the gear selector is still on the right hand side of the engine block! Finally picking up where I stayed on your channel ;)

[@gosportjamie]

Brittens were the bikes to have in a variety of classes of motorcycle racing. They were devastatingly quick but you really needed to know how to ride them...

[@quintinmarsters1609]

What a beautiful collection. Have to put this on my bucket list.

[@meirionevans5137]

Glad you enjoyed it, even the toilets are worth seeing! The TS3 was also known as Rootes Blower engine, my dad drove a Commer like the red ts3, what a howler! Rolls Royce used the same blower on one of their 30's cars. The story of Bill's son is very sad and this building is a nice tribute to them both. Glad you're on the up again, this vid was better for the waiting I think.

[@jeremyfine1464]

Roots Blower on a Rootes engine.

[@deanstevenson6527]

jeremy fine Wade blower RO30E, based on the Rootes design. 208 cubic inches per revolution or sumsuch. Sounds awesome.

[@simonredfern2584]

I just did search rootes ts3, you are quite right i do not regret it at all! What a fantastic collection,thanks mr hubnut, exellent!

[@vtecpreludevtec]

Farmer down the road when I was a kid had a commer knocker,LOUD🇳🇿

[@CaptHollister]

Thank you for the bonus motorcycles. I did as you suggested, when you suggested it.mI paused this video and went looking for videos of Rootes' TS3 engines. What a wonderful noise.

[@craiglogistics2092]

Another addition to my ever lengthening bucket-list, Ian, you really are spoiling us with these wonderful places, I think I might have to start a go-fund-me page or something

[@Mariazellerbahn]

9:08 The Austin Mastiff used what is known as the G-cab. Earliest uses of the G cab were Austin and Morris later badged as BMC befor becoming Leylands. Scammell also used the cab with an extended bonnet.

[@m3hnl]

wonderful museum. excellent footage. thank you ian.happy days

[@kennethhume8628]

What a fantastic museum of lorries Ian , seriously enjoyable video , wish I was there too . Thank goodness they had a typewriter for you .

[@timbimjim514]

Thanks Ian. Just got back from another shite day at the office. Listening to your dulcet tones talking about vintage motors was the best part of my miserable day. 😂

[@Andrew.bergin]

what an amazing place. Why can't uk museums be this interesting, something for every type of petrol head.

[@Tsass0]

Do they have an Typewriters - that is the key - have a typewriter, know how to do a good display

[@frothe42]

Another smashing video! I feel these museum tours that I am right there with you, giving an explanation of what you are seeing. So much, so varied, it FEELS interesting. And, to be honest, a part of history.

[@jamesgovett2501]

What a fantastic collection of trucks, cars & motorcycles! I might have to scoot across from Melbourne to check these fantastic museums out! I thank you so much for your in depth narration, l also love old motorcycles and appreciate the coverage at the end, just a little bit of trivial info is that Benelli sei 6 cylinder bike was available in 750 & 900 cc’d and the engine was actually a copy of the Honda CB500 four with basically 2 extra cylinders added & predated Honda’s own CBX 6 cylinder, it was very expensive l remember in the day & they did not sell too many here.

[@poonmig]

That Leyland Lorry, in Southern livery, is what we had in England as a Scammell Crusader Ian. Thanks for a brilliant video, and take care.

[@rydermike33]

Wow! What a great place. Any collection that starts with a Lotus Cortina has got to be good hasn't it. Love the Bedford O Series bus.

[@andrewbradbury4433]

We visited in 2018, this museum is fantastic, so well done. While in Invercargill visit Classic Motorcycle Mecca which I think is also part of the Bill Richardson collection. Also E. Hayes shop to see the World's Fastest Indian. So much to see in one town. The only downside is that it is a long way from the UK!

[@garyhardwick8489]

Top video Ian. My dad would get excited at some of those trucks,especially the Ford D-series and the Thames Trader,both of which he drove as a young man. Keep up the good work.

[@rayg9069]

The Commer with the 318 badge is most likely home to a General Motors 6V53 two stroke diesel. The rootes motor was known as the knocker, the GM was the screamer. 3000 rpm of diesel 2 stroke action, sounds like an F1 engine at full noise. I'm working on one at a military museum at present out of a M113 variant, instant ear bleed. Good times.

[@kuroneko7613]

Wow i love everything I saw in this video, I’m really amazed I never saw such a gorgeous collection ever before. 💯 happy 😃🙏👍☮️☕️. Geronimo in Los Ángels, Ca

[@volvo480]

This place is HUGE! Never thought a sparsely populated area of NZ would house such a large collection of vehicles. Then again, space there isn't at a premium like it's down here I guess. Thanks for the entertaining video, perfectly timed between dinner and the time I have to put the children to bed :)

[@jonathonbrambell8047]

Mighty corner of disapointment . Its that the new triangle of doom lol 🤣🤣 cracking stuff ian 👍👍

[@millomweb]

No - the triangle of doom is between the wipers while the corner of disappointment is area not swept by wipers.

[@jonathonbrambell8047]

@@millomweb either is bad lol 🤣🤣

[@NZ78503]

What a great legacy for future generations.We carted hay on S Bedfords and TS3 Commers.(Knockers).

[@MGBetts1]

Enjoyed this collection - commercials very much part of the HubNut/Practical Classics scene as far as I'm concerned. I did check the Rootes TS3 engine sound, both out of a vehicle and powering a vehicle - great stuff! 👍🏻

[@thepofmeister]

That’s a snazzy museum! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@CauliflowerMcPugg]

Hooray! A typewriter. Another great museum and another visit I need to do.

[@Perkelenaattori]

Excellent video as usual. This reminds me of the Deutsches Museum verkehrszentrum I visited in Munich which I visited a few years ago. It was also full of old trucks and buses.

[@kevinwhelan8126]

Oh phew I was starting to despair! What a fantastic place to visit - shame to have discounted it because of absence of a typewriter lol! I can see that road trip happening soon now, many thanks Ian. Loved the pivot on the mounting behind the wiper blade on the Citroen enabling it to mould to the curve of the windscreen - you’ve taught me well! Once again pleasure as always😀

[@HowardLeVert]

Now, take six of those TS-3s, strap them together in a triangular formation and you have a Napier 'Deltic' engine :) A fascinating video and tour, Ian - thank you. Perhaps have another nice break now?

[@tonyridal8499]

I came to the comments to mention the deltic... But you beat me to it! I've got a pipe dream of powering a bus with one... Well that or a merlin...

[@HowardLeVert]

Having driven one of the locos, I can tell you that even on just one engine they accelerate like a scolded cat...!

[@emjayay]

@@HowardLeVert Or a scalded cat.

[@HowardLeVert]

​@@emjayay Why would you want to pour boiling water on a cat?

[@paulbennell3313]

Yes, Commer TS-3's do sound amazing!

[@deanstevenson6527]

Paul Bennell ; In Dunedin, 1993, I aquired my Heavy Trade Licence driving a TS3. Thanks Mr Ralston. I used the Rootes Wade blower on a slant six.

[@Stevie671]

Wow, Invercargill's secret! The collection is tasty and I want to see the paint jobs up close.Outstanding.

[@davidneale5821]

A fantastic museum 😀 Thankyou for sharing Ian.

[@paultaylor9652]

Lovely Jubbly, as I'll never be able to travel to New Zealand, thanks for another great video Mr HubNut, good to see your improving day by day.

[@kbradley1994]

Great video - didn't realise NZ had so many top notch museums.

[@mendhamsmusicmoviesmovemen8075]

Nice museum again, Ian. I agree with Graeme wholeheartedly!

[@leahsheffield3349]

Another superb video. Hope you're feeling better, remember to take care of the important stuff - drink tea, eat cake and take time to smell the roses. ☺

[@BlitzkriegBev]

Glad you enjoyed our wonderful city :)

[@Flymochairman1]

A really excellent tour of a fantastic museum. Cheers!

[@chrisbartrum3201]

There was a lorry poem knocking around when I was a kid in the sixties... something like, 'Foden with a load-on, Scammel like a camel, Commer like a bomber and a big fat ERF.' I've tried finding it, to no avail, but did end up a trucker for a bit though!

[@wolfieScog]

Thanks so much for another educational, informative and fascinating video. Some great vehicles there! The Rootes TS3 overview was very interesting, I had no idea that was how they worked - I’d always assumed they were a much more conventional set up. I remember the noise from my childhood, our local heating oil delivery service ran these on Commers, the noise to a 5 year old was truly ear splitting and terrifying 😱.

[@brownstar69]

Another great video! I think the late T2 is the version made in Brazil with a W watercooled 1.4l Audi engine. They were imported to the UK with an oversized, fake spare wheel to cover the radiator grill.

[@2628mike]

Thanks for putting this video together great insight into Bills collection and it should intice people to visit thhis venue

[@martinpook5707]

I have to agree with Graeme W, lots of very interesting museums, really enjoyed this one, thank you.

[@tentotwo8290]

Thanks, amazing place! Everything seems very touchable, not many ropes. Great content 👍

[@chrisskelhorn5727]

Great stuff! That museum looked awesome! I'd love to have a burble about in quite a few of those exhibits, including that Scarab! :-) Well done Ian! :-)

[@johnnorth9355]

Thanks for sharing Ian - an amazing collection. Your voice tends to suggest you are still recovering so please do take it easy and make as much time for just yourself as you need. If money is an issue let us know - I'm sure we will respond but do not feel you have to keep ploughing on before your are ready. All the best.

[@HubNut]

Thanks. This was recorded a couple of weeks ago, so I didn't know it at the time, but the wobble was approaching...