Stephen Corstorphan
Inducted into the Shell Rimula Wall of Fame at Reunion 2015.
Stephen (Podge) Corstorphan started his love affair with trucks from the time that he was born. He was the only two year old child with his own 1942 K5 International customized tray truck in the backyard of the family home in Vermont, Victoria.
His working career started at the age of 16 as an apprentice diesel mechanic with the former Gas & Fuel in Dandenong. He completed his apprenticeship and moved to K & S Freighters in Footscray, working for a number of years as a diesel mechanic on their impressive transport fleet.
Every weekend was spent working at The Yard in Ringwood with his father Jim at the family business, J Corstorphan Pty Ltd, repairing and restoring vehicles, specialising in anything branded International.
Stephen made the decision to join the family business full time in 1997 and together with his father the direction of the business slowly turned towards full restorations and together they have meticulously restored many vehicles for clients over the years, with one of their favourites being able to participate with others in the painting of the Rottinoff for the Transport Hall of Fame. Completed at the new relocated premises in Lilydale, the Rottinoff had a farewell party that even Dame Nellie Melba would have been pleased to attend.
Full restorations of their own private fleet include a 1957 Diamond T 630 with a GM V6 53 motor, a 1960 International R200 and a 1969 Ford 750 prime mover, known as The Siblings. These vehicles attend local and interstate truck shows and are a testament to the long hours incorporated into each restoration which brings the old trucks back to life in our modern world.
Other restorations completed for the Livermore family, Linfox and Cootes family take pride of place on the photo wall located in the workshop. Tracing the history of the truck and its origins also assist in making the restoration complete.
After the death of Jim in 2013, Stephen has taken over the running of the family business, J Corstorphan Pty Ltd and continues to restore vehicles with his brother Brian assisting, as well as doing mechanical repair work.
Stephen enjoys showing and sharing his knowledge with his young son Aaron, another budding apprentice who is destined to follow in his fathers and grandfathers footsteps.