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    Nostalgia Central
    Home»Television»Shows by Decade»1980s Television
    1980s Television Australia & NZ TV Kids TV Shows S 2 Mins Read

    Steel Riders

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    1 9 8 7 (New Zealand)
    8 x 30 minute episodes

    “Treachery, warfare and murder have stained the history of these emeralds with blood. Even their Hindu name means “stones of blood”. They are said to be deeply cursed, and whomsoever holds them, shall not keep them for long.”

    This children’s series from New Zealand featured stolen jewels, skateboards, home computers and BMX bikes.

    A new life begins in the big city for the country-raised Mitchell family until Sandra (Josie Vendramini), Mike (Fraser Stephen-Smith) and their widowed father become embroiled in the theft of emeralds – the “stones of blood” – when the kids inadvertently end up with the spoils of a $3 million jewel heist at Auckland Museum.

    Their father, Brian (Peter McCauley), is blamed and arrested for the theft – which was actually carried out by a cat burglar named Rita (Susan Trainor) and her brother Vern (Alex Van Dam) – but the children are determined to find the truth and save him.

    A mysterious biker dressed all in black and using a voice changer – the kids call him “The Spook” – is equally determined to stop them.

    Sandra and Mike enlist the help of a hacker – fellow student Lee (Penny Lowe) – and a gang of BMX-riding boys – Gary (Neha Belton), Broadside (Jason King), Jais (Willy Weatherall) and Sonny (Justin Kendall) – and local ragamuffin hanger-on, Split (Caine Mangakahina).

    In the final episode, it is revealed that the mysterious Spook is none other than the Mitchell’s neighbour, Mr Enderby (Don Selwyn), who is in cahoots with Councillor Coucy (Paul Gittins).

    Ex-motorcycle racer Phil Thorogood provided The Spook’s stunts.

    The eight-part series was later shortened to movie length for American video release as Young Detectives on Wheels.

    Sandra Mitchell
    Josie Vendramini
    Mike Mitchell
    Fraser Stephen-Smith
    Split
    Caine Mangakahia
    Gary Hohepa
    Neha Belton
    Sonny
    Justin Kendall
    Broadside
    Jason King
    Jais
    Willy Weatherall
    Lee
    Penny Lowe
    Rita
    Susan Trainor
    Vern
    Alex Van Dam
    Brian Mitchell
    Peter McCauley
    Inspector Hawley
    Ken Blackburn
    Auntie Kim
    Sarah Peirse
    Mr Enderby
    Don Selwyn
    DS Flett
    Marise Grant
    Councillor Coucy
    Paul Gittins

    Episodes

    Bloodstones | Robbers | Cops | Bad Company | Tracking | Hacking | Deadlock | Showdown

    Video



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