HIGHFIELDS, QLD — A striking burgundy bus with wooden-framed windows and a gracefully curved roofline has been given new life at Highfields Pioneer Village, completing a remarkable journey that began nearly a century ago at a Nowra truck dealership.
The 1927 Chevrolet Capital bus, painstakingly restored by Volunteer Manager Ray Ashford OAM, was unveiled this week as the newest addition to the village’s heritage collection. But this is no ordinary vintage vehicle—it’s a time capsule on wheels, preserving stories from Australia’s early motoring era, the golden age of coachbuilding, and the birth of wine country tourism.
“This bus isn’t just a vehicle,” said Village Secretary Tegan Boden. “It’s a time capsule. It tells the story of Australia’s coachbuilding past, the birth of wine tourism in the Hunter Valley, and the dedication of people who keep history alive. From Holden’s coachbuilder days, to Pokolbin’s vineyard tours, to Mr. Ashford’s careful hands—it’s a piece of our national heritage.”
The vehicle began life in 1927 as a Chevrolet Capital truck, purchased from Barnes Garage in Nowra, New South Wales. For decades, the sturdy 4-cylinder chassis served its original purpose before finding its way to the Hunter Valley, where it was acquired by Kelly and Dave Nichols of Pokolbin Vintage Tours in 2000.
The Nichols harboured a vision to transform the truck into something special—a nostalgic vehicle that could transport visitors through the region’s world-famous vineyards in style. In 2000, they commissioned a complete conversion from truck to passenger bus, bringing together two specialists: Max Houston Vintage Motors, who undertook the body build using original Holden plans from the Adelaide firm’s legendary coachbuilding era (before Holden manufactured complete cars in 1948), and Ray Sherwell of Mudgeeraba, who built a reconditioned motor to power the reborn vehicle.
The result was extraordinary—a head-turning bus with authentic timber-framed construction, period-correct spoked wheels and running boards, and all the charm of 1920s motoring. For four years, the newly converted bus delighted tourists as they travelled through the vineyards of Pokolbin.
In 2004, the Nichols sold the bus to Richard Bradley of Calais Wines, where it became a beloved fixture for the next two decades. Visitors to the winery delighted in its presence, and the distinctive burgundy bus became synonymous with the Calais experience.
For five years, the bus sat idle and gradually deteriorated at Calais Wines. After Mr. Bradley’s passing in July 2025, the vehicle remained untouched until October 2025, when Ray Ashford OAM acquired it for Highfields Pioneer Village. By then, the bus was in poor mechanical condition—the engine was completely non-functional, the gearbox unresponsive, and the once-elegant timber interior had lost its lustre.
“It wasn’t working at all when we got it,” Ashford explained. “The engine and gearbox had to be completely disassembled and put back together. Every component was inspected, cleaned, repaired or replaced as needed. It was painstaking work—you can’t just order these parts online.”
The restoration went beyond mechanics. The timber body interior was carefully stripped and relacquered to restore its warm, vintage character, while the original windows and period features were preserved intact. Ashford’s team ensured every detail remained authentic to the bus’s 1920s origins and its 2000 conversion using those historic Holden plans.
Now fully operational, the 1927 Chevrolet Capital bus stands as a testament to Australian craftsmanship across multiple eras. From Barnes Garage in the 1920s, to the Nichols family’s decades of ownership and their vision to create something special, to the skilled work of Max Houston and Ray Sherwell, to its years serving Calais Wines, and finally to Ray Ashford’s dedication—every chapter of its story represents a piece of Australian heritage.
The bus is now on permanent display at Highfields Pioneer Village, where visitors can admire its craftsmanship, step inside the restored interior, and learn about its remarkable journey through interpretive displays. The Village Volunteers are hosting a Special heritage run day and guided tours on Monday Australia Day 26th Jan 2026, and the village will be inviting schools, car clubs, and history enthusiasts to book group visits in the coming months.
“This isn’t just about preserving a vehicle,” Boden added. “It’s about keeping alive the stories of the people who built it, converted it, operated it, and saved it. When visitors see this bus, they’re looking at nearly 100 years of Australian ingenuity and dedication.”
Fact Box:
Year/Model: 1927 Chevrolet Capital (converted from truck to bus)
Built by: Converted in Sydney using original Holden body plans
Pre-service work: Engine reconditioned by Ray Sherwell (Mudgeeraba) prior to Pokolbin tours
Ownership: Operated by Pokolbin Vintage Tours (Kelly & Dave Nichols, 2000), acquired by Calais Wines (2004)
Key maintenance: Engine rebuild by Max Houston Vintage Motors (2000)
2025 Restoration: Full engine and gearbox reconditioning by Ray Ashford OAM
Current home: Highfields Pioneer Village
For vintage vehicle enthusiasts, historians, and anyone who loves a good comeback story, the 1927 Chevrolet Capital Bus is a rolling reminder of the past’s endurance—and the people who refuse to let it fade away.
Highfields Pioneer Village invites the public to ride the restored bus on Australia Day Mon, 26th January 2026. Tickets are $5 Adults and $3 Children. For more information or to arrange group tours, visit www.highfieldspioneervillage.com.au
Submitted by: Jody Dodds
Treasurer
Highfields Pioneer Village
Ph 4693 6309
