Kenworth Trucks marked its 50th anniversary in New Zealand with a gathering of more than 300 trucks at the Tauranga ASB Baypark Arena on Saturday 13 September.
Kenworth trucks from all around the country formed a display that drew a crowd of more than 6500 people in six hours, despite occasional heavy rain.
One of the first Kenworth trucks imported into New Zealand in 1964 was on display as well as one of the first two Kenworth trucks which was built at the Bayswater facility in Melbourne Australia.
“We had everything from milk tankers, a large contingency of logging trucks, and there were some old classic trucks, some freight trucks, tipping trucks and more,” says Kenworth NZ general sales manager Richard Smart.
Smart says operators had come from as far south as Invercargill , Winton and Tapanui and that every truck displayed came from a different part of the country.
In addition to the 300 Kenworth trucks spanning five decades, another 80 classic trucks from other brands were displayed as part of the Northern Classic Commercials long lap.
Prizes awarded on the day were all based on the people’s choice of favourites in the following categories:
1. Restored Kenworth: LW924, Wayne Osgood, Napier
2. Show favourite: W924AR, G Sheldrake Tokoroa
3. Conventional Kenworth: T409, Raymond Transport, Mt Manganui
4. Cab-over Kenworth: K200, Fred Burling, Masterton
5. Classic truck: L924, Ian Storey, Gisborne
The evening gala dinner was attended by more than 600 VIP customers who where entertained by the Topp Twins in character as Ken and Ken.
