The Hilux world record is now Aotearoa’s after more than 1400 Toyota Hiluxes descended upon a paddock just outside of Kingston, smashing a 15 year record previously held by South Africa.
Back in 2010, only a measly 495 Hiluxes gathered on the Atlantis Dunes outside of Cape Town, making Sunday’s attempt the largest congregation of the beloved 4WD ever.
Organisers said they were blown away by the attendance after people from the deep South to the furthest North all gathered to be a part of this momentous event.
The rugged and indestructible vehicle has been a stalwart of farmers and tradies in New Zealand since the 1970s.
GWD Toyota sales, marketing and events co-ordinator Rebecca Lynch said the turnout exceeded everyone’s expectations.
“It was pretty unbelievable, to be honest,” Ms Lynch said.
“It originally started as a cool concept and then it got to a ‘we’ll put it out there, see what kind of uptake we get’, then the uptake was just through the roof. It just went viral so fast.”
People came from all over the country with Hiluxes that were new, old and barely going.
The oldest Lux belonged to a man who said he bought the former farm truck, which had clearly seen better days, three years ago. The 1978 ute had been sitting in a woolshed for 20 years.
“We definitely got a few looks driving up here, but she still goes pretty all right. It was awesome to be involved.”
Photo Credit: Stuff
