Final instalment from the Hunter Valley Vintage Truck Muster

Above: a very tidy and fresh-looking Mack R-model. Below: perhaps not to everyone's taste but this eye-catching Pete from the Moss collection is certainly a latter-day classic.

Above: If I recall correctly, this C-model Inter was originally owned by Vic Pike in Victoria but now resides in NSW. She is being followed by Bruce Gunter's Commer C7 Mk III Interim model. These trucks were only built between 1957 and 1958. Bruce is an upholsterer by trade and the interior of this truck is, as you can imagine, rather marvellous. Below: the Volvo F7 is becoming a popular truck in the Australian historic scene. This is Paul Harrison's eight-legger and one of several trucks he brought to support the Muster. The Bedford ML on her back is a local truck that was for sale for several years until bought by another local.

Above: another classic Volvo, an F86 this time. The Hunter Valley Classic Commercial Vehicle Club is at the forefront of an effort to record the history of Volvo trucks in Australia. A worthwhile project so if you have an old Volvo, or know of one, get in touch! Below: still a familiar sight on Australian roads - the Denning coach.

Above: one of the more popular vintage vehicles at the lighter end of the scale is the ubiquitous Chev 4. Below: Andrew Blacklock, one of the organisers of the Muster, owns the Leyland Atlantean double-decker in partnership with Keiran Jefferies. The odd looking beastie next to it is also in local fleet colours but I have yet to discover its story.

Above: one of the better-known fleets in the Hunter region, Smith's, operated a number of older trucks for some time. The Scammell Routeman II at far right is owned by Andrew Blacklock and was only retired from regular beer deliveries several years ago. Andrew also owns (with Paul Campbell) the AEC Monarch in the middle. The G-cabbed Leyland and the 1419 Merc are still owned by Smith's. The LAD-cabbed Albion is owned by Keiran Jefferies. Below: this Cummins-powered Atkinson Mk III is a very tidy unit. If you want to learn about Atkinsons in Australia, look for a copy of the superb "Atkinson Down Under" by Peter Lynch.

AEC Monarch comes 'home'

Andrew Blacklock and Paul Campbell, Scammell Routeman Mk II and Leyland Leopard owners respectively, bought this Monarch at auction in early May. Not seen for more than a decade, the AEC was previously owned by Smith's Transport - well-known beer haulers in the Newcastle area and former owners of AB's Scammell. Many of you may remember AB's coverage of the Scammell's last working day a couple of years ago.

The guys got the Monarch home the following week with Jeffrey Smith doing the honours of returning the truck to her rightful place alongside AB's Scammell in Smith's yard. The trip was not without a couple of minor headaches though. When they first tried to start it they discovered someone had snapped off the fuel return line at the auction viewing. Paul got that fixed and fitted a new set of batteries while AB bled it up. She fired up and ran well with most of the lights working and all electrics looking happy.

Once on the road the Monarch was singing along until just short of the shed when the fuel filter and lift pump gauze blocked. A clean, a nbew filter and a temporary fuel tank got her back 'home'. Over the next week, Paul and AB gave her a general tidy up in time for her to take her place in the Smith's line-up (with the Scammell, Albion and Leyland Reiver) at the Hunter Valley Truck Muster.

Above: Smith's for Service. The AEC among friends.

Since then the guys, both Hunter Valley Classic Commercial Vehicle Club members, have been chipping away at the AEC as time permits. Earlier this month they managed a good clean-up of the chassis and underbody and are over the moon with Hamilton Chrome's re-chroming efforts on the truck's front wheel dress rings (the photo says it all - stunning).

As mentioned above, the Smith's fleet is well known in the Newcastle area. Soon after the truck returned to its former home, Darrell Smith, now in his eighties, arrived home holiday and was asked to open the roller door while the family watched. He was very surprised and pleased to see the AEC on the other side of the door and could not believe that it had all been kept a secret for over a month!

Successful shows over the weekend

Three major classic commercial shows were held over the weekend - one relatively new and the others well-established. The Hunter Valley Classic Commercial Club's Truck Muster - I think the last one was five years ago - was a great success and based on the text messages I was getting from Andrew Blacklock over the weekend, the organisers were beside themselves.

Similarly, the Heritage Truck Association held their regular Beenleigh weekend and pulled off a great show as always. Fine weather prevailed and the photos show this to great effect! Cam McFadyen will be writing a report on Beenleigh for ACC.

Over in Western Australia, the town of Bridgetown put on its bi-annual 'old time' show (I forget the official title) and there's a couple of nice surprises to feature there including what must surely be this year's best restoration. In the meantime, here's some pics to keep you excited.

Above: one of the highlights of the HVCCVC's Truck Muster was the line-up of Smith's Transport trucks - all now retired. From left to right: Andrew Blacklock's Scammell Routeman Mk II, Smith's Leyland Reiver, Andrew Blacklock and Paul Campbell's AEC Monarch and Keiran Jefferies' Albion. A lot of local history there. Below: Paul Harrison's rather impressive Volvo F717. Andrew Blacklock photos.

Above: Beenleigh is renowned for its large numbers of Macks in attendance but the range of smaller gear has to be seen to be believed. Here's a Dodge Power Wagon, Commer Superpoise and what looks like an Austin Loadstar fire truck. Perfect weather too. Cam McFadyen photo. Below: this Mack B85 is now owned by Des Hockley and is seen at the Bridgetown show. Mack only built just over 70 of this particular model of B85 and, IIRC, two came down here and she arrived in Australia substantially longer. As can be seen from the V in the roobar, she is a former Ridolfo truck (V for Vince Ridolfo). I first met her when previous owner Malcolm Macwatt bought her (I bought my old B61T off Mal). At the time she was pulling a float down in Esperance, Western Australia. She's Cummins-powered and sits on 24-inch rims. She certainly made my B look small! Barry Kitto photo.

It was a MAD, MAD, MAD Day

The Motorist Appeciation Day in Swansea, New South Wales on February 1 was a resounding success held under sunny skies. The Hunter Valley Classic Commercial Vehicle Club as usual had a good turn out as can be seen from this photo from Andrew Blacklock. Glen Richards' two AECs are parked either side of what looks like a former fire brigade ACCO. In the background is Keiran Jefferies' 1965 Albion Chieftain My Scotstoun Lass.

Two double deckers - Leyland and AEC

Andrew Blacklock took his Leyland Atlantean (co-owned with Keiran Jefferies) out for a maintenance run a couple of weeks ago and came across this former Hong Kong AEC in Cessnock. They make quite the pair.