Author: Jeremy Welsh

I am looking for Old New Zealand Toys & Models to display at Vintage Barn.

I want to create a comprehensive display of New Zealand’s own manufactured toys. Our domestic toy history is nearly 100 years old. We have toys made here of lead, aluminium, wood, steel, plastic & more.

Who could forget iconic names such as Fun Ho, Jumbo, Tiger Toys, Tonka, Hercules, Micro & Lincoln. Only Fun Ho is still made in NZ. We even had working steam engines made here in Kiwi Land. I have accumulated many which are now on display at Vintage Barn. There are so many more out there to find, little known names such as Yee Ha & Ducky Toys for example. Can you help with information, brochures, newspaper articles? I will galdly scan these & return.

This search will also conclude in a comprehensive identification book available to all collectors & historians alike. This of course may be many years away.

Can you help me?

If you have any New Zealand made items to sell, information on NZ made items to sell or loan, please let me know.

Victor Truck information is required to complete the restoration of our 1920s Victor Truck. Very few of these were made. We need information on this truck & any other Victors trucks known. Victor trucks were made in St Louis, Missouri, USA from 1923 – 1928. They ranged from 1.25 – 6 ton. The lighter models used Hercules engines, while the heavier models used continentals. Our Victor started its working life in Wellington NZ. In 1946 it was moved to Taranaki & made into a hedgecutter. It was abandoned in 1968. Ian Harrison rescued it in 1974 & restored it. Unfortunately someone had already removed the radiator. One has been fabricated using photos as a guide. Can you help us with any info about this rare truck?

Case RI Tractor parts & information are required to complete the restoration of our 1939/40 Case RI tractor. Very few of these were made. We need front wheels (pressed type as per photo) & hubs.
We need a manual & parts book & many other small parts. Our RI was obtained from MOTAT in Auckland NZ in March 1994. Any Case R or very early Case SEX/S should have the same wheels & many parts are the same. Can you help us?

Do we need or want vintage displays at Vintage Swap Meets?

I believe we have enough vintage shows each year to not need any display vehicles at vintage swap meets.
Vintage displays do add to the event but where sites are all gone, we potentially are missing out on more Swap Meet action where displays are placed.

In the case of the McLeans Island Vintage Swap Meet in October, there is no spare space for anyone to bring some vintage items unless booked 6 months before (space permitting). Due to the sites being hard to get, most stall holders keep on to their sites each year whether they have much to sell or not for fear of missing out in future years. I believe if the display area was reserved for drop in stall holders (vintage related only), we may see some new items/parts appear like the good old days.

What do you think?