Hawke Coachwork Explained

Hawke Coachwork
Successor:Coachwork International
Foundation:1952
Founder:Haddon Hawke
Leslie Hawke
Defunct:1983
Location City:Takanini
Location Country:New Zealand
Area Served:New Zealand
Products:Bus & coach bodies

Hawke Coachwork Limited was a New Zealand bus and coach body manufacturer.

Established in 1952 by brothers Haddon and Leslie Hawke, it was based on Great South Road, Takanini. It became a subsidiary of New Zealand Motor Corporation. In the late-1970s Australian bus manufacturer Pressed Metal Corporation acquired a minority stake in Hawke.[1]

In 1983 Hawke merged with New Zealand Motor Bodies to form Coachwork International. The Takanini plant was retained, specialising in building and repairing buses for city authorities.[2] As well as building bodies for New Zealand operators, Hawke completed buses for Singapore Bus Service.[3] [4]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Millar. Sean. Lynas. Ian. Leyland Buses in Australia & New Zealand. 1983. Millars Transport Books. Auckland. 9.
  2. CI Sizes up the Aussie Market Truck & Bus Transportation April 1987 pages 60-63
  3. SBS buys bus bodies Business Times 3 July 1980 page 2
  4. Contract awarded to New Zealand Motor Bodies Business Times 20 June 1981 page 5