What an untapped wealth of masterful makers and incredible collectors there is to be found in the Gympie Region.
Here’s one that we are fortunate to be able to include in the Gympie Rotary HERITAGE MAKERS FAIR program, in collaboration with Mike Munday, founder of Gympie’s iconic Roadside Relics – an absolute must for all who appreciate our automotive and motorcycle history and heritage. Visit Roadside Relics Open Day, open both event days, as part of the Heritage Makers Fair.
The collection, compiled over the last 41 years, is gobsmacking – antique and vintage motoring and garage memorabilia ranging from the 1900s to the 1970s – antique fuel bowsers, signage, oil bottles and drums … plus antique and vintage motorcycles, cars, even a hearse… with coffin.
It began when Mike purchased a 1927 Chevrolet Capitol for $50 at the age of 13, all the strawberry-picking money he received over the Christmas school holidays. The following year, he purchased a 1950 BSA Bantam motorcycle – his collection kept growing from there.
Eventually, his hobby turned into a business as he continued to collect vintage motoring items. “It was very much a hobby-based business when there were very, very few people who collected petrol bowsers – they were seen to be total nutters,” Mike said, “People would think, ‘well why on earth would you collect a petrol bowser or old signs?’. Since then, he has supplied items internationally as props for film, television and advertisements, decor for hotels and restaurants, made deals with wealthy collectors, and even sold antique BP items back to BP.
Remember Kylie Minogue in ‘The Delinquents’? That motorcycle was supplied by Roadside Relics. Other movies that have borrowed/ bought/ even blown up Roadside Relic gear include: “House of Wax” (Paris Hilton); an Elvis movie, shot on the Gold Coast; “San Andreas” starring The Rock, primarily filmed in Australia – there were a few modern petrol pumps that were blown up in the movie – so not returned after filming.
“One of the most satisfying things is the finds.” Mike says, “if someone’s got a 1929 Buick and they’re after a 1929 Buick enamel sign, the challenge is trying to find it and then satisfying them with a discovery.”
The incredible collection includes some rarities, historical gems:
– a UK Brough Superior motorcycle, dubbed the “Rolls-Royce” of motorcycles – only about 1000 exist worldwide. T. E. Lawrence (“Lawrence of Arabia”) owned eight of these motorcycles and died from injuries sustained when he crashed number seven – the eighth was on order. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brough_Superior).
– an AJS (AJ Stephens) car – the AJS motorcycle company moved briefly into manufacturing cars in 1929-1931, producing only around 1300 cars (www.ajs-car-club.com), selling for £230. Until recently, it was thought there were only 41 of these still existing world-wide, but Mike’s, here in Gympie, is now listed at #42.
– an extremely rare 1923 “Invincible Jap” motorcycle and sidecar – perhaps the best known of pre-World War II Australian-constructed motorcycles. Constructed with mainly of British parts, only a few hundred were produced, between 1922-1925 in Melbourne – they were sold all over the country to a strongly patriotic marketing campaign with the slogan “It’s all British, built in Australia by Australians!” (www.mcnews.com.au/the-australian-made-invincible-jap)
– the Indian Board Track Racer, an important part of motorcycle history – in an era of board track racing, over a century ago, early motorcycles would careen around an angled wooden track at high speeds with minimal protections – the Indian Board Track Racer, capable of both intense speed and superior handling, ruled the wooden motordrome. It was the bike of choice for many of these daredevil drivers. (https://www.slashgear.com/1527944/indian-board-track-racer-important-to-motorcycle-history)
Roadside Relics has one!
So many treasures. Don’t miss the opportunity to see the showcase in full! Valuable items and vehicles are kept off-site, but will be on display over the Gympie Rotary HERITAGE MAKERS FAIR weekend.
WHERE – Roadside Relics Showroom, 265 Brisbane Road
WHEN – Roadside Relics will open it’s doors for a special viewing Saturday July 5, 8.30am – 5pm and Sunday July 6, 8.30am – 3pm as part of the HERITAGE MAKERS FAIR ticket
FAIR TICKETS – www.trybooking.com/CYKKU
$15pp, 15 and under FREE
Tickets include entry into the:
– Gympie Rotary HERITAGE MAKERS FAIR, Gympie Showgrounds
– Vintage, Rare to Late Model Tractor & Historic Small Engines Expo
– Roadside Relics Fair Open Day, both event days
