ALBUM - Arthurs Pass in the 1970`s - 80`s.

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DescriptionThe Arthurs Pass road was opened to wheeled traffic in 1866 and the Otira Viaduct was first driven over in 1999. In 1970, when I was licensed to drive at the age of 15, the highway had to be forded twice over creeks between Arthur’s Pass and Klondyke corner. It was essential to top up the vehicle’s water and oil before motoring to Christchurch via the zig-zag road over the pass.

Dozens of dead possums always littered the road during the journey over the hill as we called it. There were no speed cameras and most of the road was tar sealed. On one occasion I abandoned my white car halfway up the zig zag during a snow storm because a snow chain slipped off the wheel, rupturing the brake oil pipe. Heavy snow covered the car that night. The next morning the road contractors clearing the pass completely demolished the side of my vehicle as they graded down the zig zag. In 2010, the highway with the Otira Viaduct is an excellent road. The only bad stretch between Arthur’s Pass and Klondyke was straightened by the NZ Transport Agency in 2016.Date of Photo1970`s - 80`sMap^[1]ContributorTony Kokshoorn

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Location (city or town)Arthurs PassEvent Arthurs Pass in the 1970`s.

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Category TagRoads

From Facebook

Date Created31st March 2022CommentsWayne Nicholson
My kids loved the fords and the waterfall at Reids on the Otira side before it was flumed over. A full service was the norm before tackling that drive back then. Its an easy 3 hour cruise now. I remember my dads old wooden spoked Essex taking over 8 hours for the 'adventure' ,that it was.

Robin Gibbens
Wayne Nicholson me to loved the fords as a kid

Ritchie Mathieson
There were as many dead possums as there were potholes

Mark Crook
They where a big beautiful car.

Paul Buchanan
My 1st car was a pa Vauxhall

Murray Dixon
Paul Buchanan don't I know it

Peter Oakley
On one occasion after having gone through one of the fords, I was followed through by a young lady driving a VW beetle. Part way across she floated down stream, fortunately the ford had a railing on the down stream side which she floated against. We shouted"don't open your door" and then put a rope on the VW and towed her out with nothing worse than minor paint damage.

Thomas Brown
Yes buck
Me and Wayne spent a lot of time pushing it around hayrights corner on Friday nights

Bruce Nimmo
I remember Hraham Bone driving into ones of these late at night, applying the brakes & sliding straight through on the ice in his Wolsley (I think)

Shay Shani
Bruce Nimmo Dad, I think you mean Graham Bone!

Stephen Laurenson
Remember those fords. Part of the attraction of that stretch of the road. -KK to Ap

Alison Armstrong
I've been through them a couple of times before..

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ALBUM - Arthurs Pass in the 1970`s - 80`s.

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