How it started...

It started with childhood chats over meals with my parents on how cool it would be to have a place where we could display my father's restored motorcycles. Add in years and years of procrastination and hindsight, Tanks & Tailpipes was born on October 1, 2022.

A little shop came up for lease on the main street of the beautiful historic country town of Rylstone and we thought, why not?
It was a gamble to do something nobody else is doing, of course, there were and still are the usual critics and nasty naysayers which are truly difficult to tune out however the ones that inspire, encourage and support us, help us to continue and push on through.

The Bianchi was the chosen one to adorn the shop window. The rest of the set up I wanted to organically flow. Every piece that entered the door must have a story or be quality goods, values from my father that have been instilled in me.
A little supporter pre-opening drinks the day before open to personally thank my mother, husband, close friends and the next day it was go time.
The first day of trade was a very memorable one. A small crowd gathered out front. Genuine interest arose. A lot of people came to see what we had created.

Our first customer was local Barry with his classic 1959 FC Holden. Barry welcomed us to town, wished us well and has supported us ever since. Barry donated to us a green cast iron flag base that you'll see out the front of the shop (when open) holding the chequered flag. 

In the two years of trading, we have experienced local flooding which closed the roads to our shop in the first few months. Then came the local fires which sadly are a common part of life in the area. Early 2024 brought us consistent personal & health set backs along with the extreme economic downturn and cost of living pressures that we have all felt in all areas of employment, industry and life.

But we're still here...
Like Elton John sings
"I'm still standing better than I ever did,
Looking like a true survivor,
Feeling like a little kid..."

And for that we are grateful.
Tank you.



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