Tag: vehicles

Posted on

Steam Traction Engine

Steam Traction Engine

This traction engine is outside the Pumphouse at MOTAT (Auckland’s Museum of Transport and Technology). Last weekend I finally went for a look around their exhibits. Growing up I went to a number of traction engine rallies back in England, so it brought back good memories seeing this huge machine. This one was originally built by J and H McLaren Engineers in England but spent its working life on farms down in Christchurch. The steam power that drives the wheels to move it along the road, can be diverted to provide power for ploughing, running machinery or crushing stone.

Posted on

Old house truck

Old house truck

House trucks are something I hadn’t seen before I came to New Zealand. This is one of the few places left in the world where house trucking can be a lifestyle choice with these types of simple home made trucks. Back in the UK or many other countries in Europe, strict laws and road safety standards wouldn’t let anything like this one the roads. That being said, this truck is very much retired. From what I could gather nobody lives in this truck anymore. However, I have seen trucks in a similar looking condition (maybe with working tired and windows) driving slowly along the road.

Posted on

Morris Ten-Six

Morris Ten-Six

This is a Morris Ten-Six from 1934. Having seen many classic British and American cars on the roads of New Zealand it was little surprise to come across such a fine sports car. It was parked up at the view point looking down to the Otira Viaduct in Arthur’s Pass National Park. Looking around at other cars on the road I had obviously stumbled across another classic car club out for a days drive. As I drove along I saw about a dozen different British cars from the early and mid 20th century, this was my favourite.

Posted on

Vintage Wooden Cart

Vintage Wooden Cart

Cardrona is a ski field just north of Queenstown. The nearby gold rush township was established in the 1860s. Some of the vintage buildings such as the Cardrona Hotel still remain. Opposite the hotel in the small car park I found a gathering of about a dozen Morris Minor classic cars as well as this old cart on the edge of the field. Judging by the look of the wood on the cart wheels and the grass underneath this has been stood here for a long time. With the land behind currently being sold for building new homes, I am uncertain this will remain here for much longer.