Originally captured on colour 16mm film, this home movie is from the George Gilltrap collection. George Edward Gilltrap (born Giltrap, 1911-1966) was a vintage car enthusiast who established Gilltrap’s Motor Museum in Rotorua before relocating with his family from New Zealand to Australia in 1959 where he established Gilltrap’s Gold Coast Auto Museum.
This footage is notable for documenting the construction of George Gilltrap’s showroom, offices and workshops on Old Taupo Road in Rotorua.
Men removing corrugated iron fencing from outside building.
Men standing near a truck with signage saying “Rotorua Well Drilling Company”, close ups of bore being drilled, footage of hot water escaping from geothermal borehole.
Signage stating the building is being constructed for G.E. Gilltrap and listing contractors, architects and that it will be distributing David Brown tractors and Hillman and De Soto cars and trucks.
Building site surrounded by corrugated iron fencing.
Men mixing and pouring concrete at construction site.
Men welding awning structure for façade of building.