After more than two years of planning and construction, Invercargill's Bill Richardson Transport World will finally open to the public next week. Reporter Allison Beckham gets a sneak preview.
My guided tour of the new Bill Richardson Transport World took longer than expected - operations manager Sally McDonald kept getting interrupted as staff or contractors asked questions or sought advice about displays or vehicle placement.
In the cafe, which has been open for two weeks, diners wanted to shake her hand and pass on their compliments - their faces lit up with huge smiles.
''Awesome. This place is absolutely awesome,'' one man said.
''You have done a fantastic job,'' another added.
And that was even before they had seen the museum itself.
The doors remain closed, although Miss McDonald said people were forever trying to sneak a peek.
An invitation-only opening for about 130 guests was held last night and Miss McDonald promised the museum would be open to the public next weekend, during Invercargill's Burt Munro Motorcycle Challenge, which attracts competitors and spectators from all over New Zealand and beyond.
The doors might have to close again temporarily after that, though, she said.
It was hoped to open permanently before Christmas.
The museum had its beginnings in the late Bill Richardson's collection of trucks and motoring memorabilia built up over about 30 years.
He owned many rare vehicles, including the centrepiece 1939 Dodge Airflow Texaco tanker, believed to be one of only three in the world, and a 1914 Stewart truck believed to be the sole survivor.
In the 1980s, Mr Richardson, who founded the now transtasman HW Richardson Group, began allowing people to visit his ''shed'' next to the company headquarters in Inglewood Rd.
After his unexpected death 10 years ago, aged 65, his family, led by daughter Jocelyn O'Donnell, kept the museum going.
More vehicles in keeping with Bill's vision were added, including the significant vintage Ford collection owned by Northern Territory trucking magnate Jim Cooper, a good friend of Bill's, and interesting vehicles like classic Citroens favoured by Bill's grandson, Harrison O'Donnell, and the Volkswagen Kombi vans much loved by Jocelyn.
Two years ago the Richardson Group announced ambitious plans to expand ''Bill's shed'' and turn it into a world-class attraction, still focused on vehicles and transport memorabilia but designed to appeal to both genders and all ages.
The buildings were earthquake-strengthened and an additional 5000sqm of spaces constructed for displays and the cafe and shop.
On a mezzanine level are the conference facilities.
The cafe is testament to the attention to detail and style elements Mrs O'Donnell and Miss McDonald have injected into the entire project.
Diners can sit in a 1960s kitchen which looks just like your grandmother's, down to the Formica table and Bakelite radio.
Next door is the 1970s lounge - all browns and oranges - boasting original wallpaper, a vinyl couch and that ubiquitous Kiwi '70s classic, the macrame pot plant holder.
In the main part of cafe, diners can sit at tables made from the recycled floor of Invercargill's Dutch Hall, on chairs emblazoned with stencilled oil company logos.
Overhead are recycled car number plate light fittings made by transport world workshop staff.
The cost of the development has never been revealed, but Miss McDonald said yesterday it was ''lots''.
Without any marketing, about 5000 people a year were visiting ''Bill's shed''.
Visitor numbers now are expected to top 20,000 annually.
Miss McDonald said she and Mrs O'Donnell had achieved their vision, and the positive reaction was gratifying.
''It will be huge relief once it's finished. It's been a pretty full-on 18 months. But to see it come together is breathtaking [and] worth it.''
