Elderslie resident Dave West, by his own admission has ‘‘diesel in the brains’’.

The retiree spent 10 years restoring his 1940’s Diamond T which will take part in Haulin The Hume: Old Hume Highway Road Run on April 11 and April 12.

About 300 motor enthusiasts and their vintage commercial vehicles will take part in the convoy which departs from Hawkesbury, head south down the Northern Road and follows the Old Hume Highway to Yass.

All funds raised will raised will go to Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect).

The event is the largest road run of it’s type in Australia.

With the help of a few friends and a truck load of dedication — which he refers to as ‘‘a disease of the mind’’ — Mr West got the vehicle he will traverse the Hume Highway with back on the road.

‘‘When I bought it it was 95 percent there — it was a bit rusty and had a lot of hits,’’ he said.

‘‘But it was still working in 1998 I believe.

‘‘I did a bit here and there and tried to do some every night.

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‘‘I farmed some [tasks] out to other people — the painting was done by someone I know at Tahmoor Smash Repairs.

‘‘But it was just a matter of plodding along.’’

Mr West said his Diamond T would be 75 years old this year, but still was the object of admiration whenever it made a public appearance.

‘‘A lot of people blow there horns and take pictures,’’ he said.

‘‘There’s always a bit of yelling and yahooing.’’

Mr West regularly takes part in historic vehicle exhibitions, but he said he was looking forward to traversing the old highway.

‘‘The idea is to do a reenactment of going down the highway, well as much of the highway that’s left of it,’’ he said.