Old School Trucks: Christchurch Ready Mix
Internationals ruled the roost along with Isuzus back in the early ’80s when I first began photographing Christchurch Ready Mix trucks
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An International S-line on tipper duties
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This VHZ model was typical of the Isuzus back in the mid-’80s
A later model EXZ Isuzu tractor unit and semi tipulator
A CWA45 Nissan Diesel on mixer duties, pictured when near-new back in 1990
Various other makes were tried over the years, including this Ford Cargo
The ’90s saw a rebranding and some of the older gear got given birthdays
Another International S-line looking resplendent after a re-paint
A later model S-Line aptly named ‘True Grit’
An International Acco on mixer duties pictured when near-new in 1997
This FL10 Volvo was a pre-loved purchase on tipper duties
A typical Isuzu mixer in the fleet back in the early 2000s
A CXZ Isuzu sporting aluminium bins
A later model EXZ Isuzu eight-wheeler
A few heads turned back in 2001 when this bright red Daewoo joined the transporter division
This Mack Vision was pictured hard at work back in 2012
The sand and shingle division now run under the Canterbury Aggregates banner
Nine-axle HPMV Freightliner Argosys have since joined the fray
A mighty CAT now takes care of the bulk of the transporter movements
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Internationals ruled the roost along with Isuzus back in the early ’80s when I first began photographing Christchurch Ready Mix trucks
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An International S-line on tipper duties
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|
|
|
This VHZ model was typical of the Isuzus back in the mid-’80s
|
|
|
|
A later model EXZ Isuzu tractor unit and semi tipulator
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|
|
|
A CWA45 Nissan Diesel on mixer duties, pictured when near-new back in 1990
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|
|
|
Various other makes were tried over the years, including this Ford Cargo
|
|
|
|
The ’90s saw a rebranding and some of the older gear got given birthdays
|
|
|
|
Another International S-line looking resplendent after a re-paint
|
|
|
|
A later model S-Line aptly named ‘True Grit’
|
|
|
|
An International Acco on mixer duties pictured when near-new in 1997
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|
|
|
This FL10 Volvo was a pre-loved purchase on tipper duties
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|
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A typical Isuzu mixer in the fleet back in the early 2000s
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A CXZ Isuzu sporting aluminium bins
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A later model EXZ Isuzu eight-wheeler
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A few heads turned back in 2001 when this bright red Daewoo joined the transporter division
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|
|
This Mack Vision was pictured hard at work back in 2012
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|
|
|
The sand and shingle division now run under the Canterbury Aggregates banner
|
|
|
|
Nine-axle HPMV Freightliner Argosys have since joined the fray
|
|
|
|
A mighty CAT now takes care of the bulk of the transporter movements
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Back in the 80s, the Christchurch Ready Mix yard was dominated by Internationals, mainly S-lines and Accos with Isuzus being the other preferred brand
As a young fella, it was a 24km round trip on the 10-speed push bike from where I lived on the east side of Christchurch to the Christchurch Ready Mix yard near the old Waimak River bridge in Belfast. Thankfully, there were other truck yards in the area, so motivation to jump on the bike was never a problem.
Back in the 80s, the Christchurch Ready Mix yard was dominated by Internationals, mainly S-lines and Accos with Isuzus being the other preferred brand. The dark green, yellow, and white trucks were a common sight in the greater Christchurch area, with their concrete mixers, bulk tipper trucks, and transporters.
The 90s saw a modernisation of the livery where the white stripe was removed and a smart new logo design went on the doors. Various makes and models have graced the fleet over the years, but perhaps the most interesting addition was a bright red South Korean sourced Daewoo, which was engaged in transporter duties. Very few of this make and model made it to our shores.
The fleet has continued to grow in size over the years, with the concrete division working in conjunction with the sand and shingle division running under the guise of Canterbury Aggregates.
In more recent years, the mixer fleet has continued to be dominated by the Isuzu brand with the aggregates division taking advantage of the HPMV rules and putting nine-axle Freightliner Argosys on the road, which have recently joined by C85 DAFs. Whatever the brand of truck, the dark green and yellow livery remains a common sight in and around the Garden City.
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