Further work to Bert Hinkler's Armstrong Siddeley is underway, with the historic vehicle recently transported from the Hinkler Hall of Aviation to undergo restoration.
The car has been housed at Hinkler Hall since March 2018 as part of a major attraction at the museum.
It was previously restored to its current glory by the Bundaberg Vintage Vehicle Club, and now, the vehicle is going back for more work to its radiator so it can be utilised for special events in the region.
“We are currently putting the new radiator in which has just arrived from England and has been hand-built,” President Ian Jefferyes said.
“The number of radiators we had were all past their use by date so we decided the only solution was to get new one.
“While we have the vehicle with us we will be doing a check over and giving it an oil change and service.”
Ian said working on the vehicle again was a sentimental feeling for the club, and described the initial restoration project as a labour of love.
“We picked up the three-car-trailer-load of parts on Australia Day in 2015 and then handed the car over again in March in 2018,” he said.
“We initially thought the restoration would take 12 months but it ended up being three years in the making.
“It is part of our lives, we have put our heart and soul into it.”
Project Manager Frank Smith said apart from the tyres and wheels, all of the restoration work had been completed in Bundaberg.
“The club has been involved in the car for almost six years with more than 6,500 hours of their own time spent on the vehicle,” he said.
“Last time it was driven was in 2018, it travelled along Bourbong Street and was then driven to the museum to be put on display.
“Once the new radiator is put in, by Monday at the latest, it will be going back to the museum once more.”
Council's Arts, Culture and Events portfolio spokesperson Cr John Learmonth praised the efforts of the Bundaberg Vintage Vehicle Club and said the Armstrong Siddeley had a strong connection to the region and Queensland.
“A street procession in Queen Street, Brisbane was held on the 6 March 1928 in honour of Bert’s solo flight from England to Australia,” he said.
“Bert rode in the Armstrong Siddeley during this procession and was loaned the vehicle to use during his three-day stay.
“The restoration of the Armstrong Siddeley is an amazing achievement with hours of painstaking work completed and we thank the Bundaberg Vintage Vehicle Club for the amazing job.”
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