Fletch's Trip to Invercargill NZ: Classic Restos - Series 52

Travelling to New Zealand in February for the 4-day 2023 Americana event, Fletch took the opportunity to travel to Invercargill. Before heading off, Fletch gives an insight into the production of a Classic Restos episode for the Americana event. Crucial to the production team in New Zealand is one particular person, his skilled driver Darcy May.

Darcy has covered Americana with Fletch for many years and has come to understand his wants and needs, and it requires local knowledge, patience and preciseness, as Fletch elaborates. Behind his  1999 Suzuki Bighorn 4WD Turbo Diesel, Darcy delivers all of the above in spades with a few humorous adventures. Together they make a formidable team, as captured in the several episodes devoted to the 2023 Americana event.

Following the event, Fletch decided to carve out time for himself in Invercargill, nestled in the deep south of New Zealand. As you would expect, even in his own time, Fletch hunts out the best automotive destinations to review for anyone who might find themselves in that part of the world.

His first recommendation is Bill Richardson's Transport World, an amazing museum of world standards that Fletch claims rivals any museum he has visited in the USA, which speaks volumes about its excellence.

For those who share Fletch's affinity for the legendary Burt Munro, a visit to Ehayes Hardware is a must as the location houses the 1920 Indian Motorcycle featured in the 2005 Roger Donaldson movie 'The Fastest Indian', starring Anthony Hopkins—the shelves alongside the motorcycle feature personal Burt Munroe memorabilia and genuine motorcycle parts. The display also includes the 1953 Chev Bel Air featured in the film.

Another outstanding museum that has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment is the New Motorcycle Mecca Centre. Three floors showcase an array of motorcycles from around the world, including American, British and  European models. Naturally, an area is dedicated to Burt Munro, a folk hero in these parts.

A visit to Arche Beach in Invercargill would not be complete without exploring where 'The Fastest Indian' was filmed. It is where the road ends, but it has a mystical quality allowing visitors to relive the magic of the movie.

Fletch rounds out the episode with a Facetime interview featuring John Munro, Burt Munro's 90-year-old son, who has become a long-time friend of Fletch. Their conversation delved into the personal possessions of Burt Munro that they had recently examined together.

If there was ever a time to re-watch 'The Fastest Indian', then the time is now.