Tamworth's Powerhouse Motorcycle Museum & Roadrunner Rod & Custom Club: Classic Restos - Series 44

Fletch travels to Tamworth, the country music capital of Australia and home to the ‘Golden Guitar’ and finds there’s, even more, to see in Australian second largest inland city, like the Powerhouse Motorcycle Museum.

The museum boasts 60 motorcycles all in concours condition. The motorcycles are from a private collection of over 200, collected over 40 years and owned by Greg Mcguire owner of the Powerhouse Hotel, which sits adjacent to the museum.

The collection spans the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s with iconic brands like Harley-Davidson, Triumph, Ducati, Norton, Honda and Velocette, to name a few.

One example is a very rare, 1924 J Model Harley Davidson Postie bike, unlike the others in the collection, this one remains in its original condition still bearing the Royal Mail Insignia on the fuel tank. Greg pondered on whether to restore it, but decided it needed to keep it original to mark the heritage of the bike and role post WW1.

Other great exhibits include a 1972 Kawasaki 750, referred to as the ‘The Widow Maker’ because of the pure power of the motorcycle, and a 1969 Velocette Viper 350 which became famous racing at the Isle of Man TT, one of the world’s most dangerous and exciting motorcycle races where riding was all about ‘no guts, no glory’.

This museum is beautifully setout and the motorcycles presented in the highest quality, it’s a must-see if you’re passing through Tamworth or worthy of a special trip if you’re a motorcycle enthusiast.

Car & Motorcycle clubs span across Australia, and it’s no surprise to find one of the oldest Clubs in Australia right here in Tamworth. The Tamworth Roadrunner Rod & Custom Club established in 1963. While there are only 35 members, they are very active and support the local community. It’s a real family club with generations of families still members today. Fletch talks with stalwarts about their cars and the club, including Jason with his fully customised 1928 Ford A Model who says ‘you are only limited by your imagination and how deep your pockets are’. Scotty with his 1934 Dodge, modified now for 56 years, built back in the 60s and retained in the same family who were foundation members of the club. This Street Rod has been fully modified in every aspect and still turns heads today.

Finally, Fletch finds an example that he claims is “WOW”, Andrew with a customised 1932 Ford Tudor Delivery, it’s not the first car he has built, but the first rod and he hasn’t spared anything inside or out, finished in classic silver and red leather trim.

Vice President, Peter McCloud says the club has a fantastic mix of cars including Hot rods, T-Buckets, American Muscle, Australian Muscle Cars, even his own 94 Corvette. His advice is “Put a smile on your dial, join a club and meet some great people who share the same interest, you won’t regret it”. Good advice Peter.