More than just the Indian. Loads of bikes and cars and great shopping to keep the other half happy whilst your browse
Home of Bert Munro's "World's Fastest Indian" and an extensive collection of other antique cars, trucks, motorcycles, and machinery. Also a comprehensive hardware store and wonderful employees who just want you to enjoy your visit. We spent several hours.
This store is amazing. More than just a hardware store. If you have watched "The worlds fastest Indian" movie then this is def worth a visit.
I was expecting to find a museum to Burt Munro but instead found a well laid out hardware store with a display of motor vehicles. At first glance there is not much of Burt Munro's history to be seen but once inside the store there is plenty. There is a cabinet full of old cylinder heads and broken pistons, each lined up with the speed they set (or broke at).There is a mock up of Burt's shed complete with tools and books. And there is of course, his famous record breaking Indian. For me the story of Burt Munro only came to light with the release of the Anthony Hopkins film about Burt and his record breaking motorbike so when I decided to take a holiday in New Zealand a pilgrimage to E Hayes & Son at Invercargill was a must. The staff at the store are very friendly, they will allow photos to be taken and are ready to try and answer any questions. Burt is buried in the Invercargill cemetery so my journey was complete when I stood beside his grave.
My wife and I are not motor bike fans, and found this store and it's fantastic "museum" by luck as we were walking from Victoria Park to the town centre. It is literally in the middle of a very active hardware store, and for us proved to be fascinating as we learned the story of the "fastest indian" and looked at all of the vintage motor cycles and other vehicles. They even had a small sitting area where you could watch the original Anthony Hopkins film about the fastest indian. In my view this is a must to spend 45 minutes looking round when you are in Invercargill
My partner, Jeff, and I were so surprised to find all these AMAZING motorcycles in Invercargill. We spent about 2 hours in the hardware store. The people there were so nice and helpful. We bought some clothes there too.
This is a must for anyone with an interest in anything mechanical. The Hayes family have put together a great display which takes you around their shop. Fantastic things in all directions. Ask the staff if they can start up the engine that Mr Hayes built out of all sorts of items. You will be amazed. Every aisle has something new to see and there is plenty for the ladies who may not be that interested in the mechanical items.
Appreciated the informality of the collection on show in a hardware shop. Was able to see up close and therefore get great photos
The best collection of hardware and engineering items probably anywhere in NZ, excellent displays of collectable cars, motorcycles and light motorised implements, also great kitchenware and camping/outdoors sections. Plenty of interest here for male and female. The 'Worlds Fastest Indian' is a feature. I have taken overseas visitors to E A Hayes & Sons and they have been really interested and have enjoyed the visit.
So very informative .there was so much more than a big range of motorbikes and I don't remember disliking anything.