General News
4 March, 2024
Truck show rolls into town
The Historic Commercial Vehicle Club of Australia (HCVCA) Ballarat branch is hosting its 13th Clunes Historic Vehicle Show. An estimated 350 vintage trucks and cars will be on display at the Clunes Showgrounds this Sunday, with memorabilia, food...
The Historic Commercial Vehicle Club of Australia (HCVCA) Ballarat branch is hosting its 13th Clunes Historic Vehicle Show.
An estimated 350 vintage trucks and cars will be on display at the Clunes Showgrounds this Sunday, with memorabilia, food stalls and camping also available.
HCVCA Ballarat branch member Barry Dodson will participate in his 12th show in a row, showcasing his International trucks which are in pristine condition more than 50 years after coming out of the factory.
Mr Dodson said his love for trucking has always been a part of him.
“I have sort of been truck mad since I was five years old, I drove them for 52 years and it is great to be able to restore them,” he said.
“The [1971 International C1800] was the first truck I ever drove, so I always said that I would get one and restore it.
“It all takes time, you don’t just spend 15 hours a day on it, you might not even go near it for a fortnight or three weeks.”
After being a part of the show for 12 years, Mr Dodson said he is most fond of the friendly atmosphere of the event.
“You meet a lot of people, that’s the most important thing, you find out a lot of things from others and their vehicles,” he said.
“You can find parts that you haven’t got and someone else has or know where they are — you can sort of hunt down something and think you will never find it, then someone goes ‘I have got two of them in the shed’.”
Event founder and HCVCA Ballarat branch member Murray Pope said the celebratory event has something for everyone.
“It is a wonderful day out for the family, a lot of the trucks on show are the first trucks that some dads ever owned either on the farm or in business which adds a special connection to the event,” he said.
“To see the joy on people’s faces as they wander around looking at the restorations on show is great.”
The event will be held this Sunday, March 10 at the Clunes Showgrounds from 9 am to 4 pm. Entry is $10 with children under 16