Rare chance to see National Museum of Australia’s historic vehicles in action

24 July 2019

A hundred years of automotive history will be in action when a selection of iconic vehicles from the National Museum of Australia take to the track at Wakefield Park Raceway in Goulburn, New South Wales, on 17 August.

A Chequered Past will feature 12 amazing vehicles, including the 1967 Brabham Repco BT23A-1 V8 racing car, built and raced by Sir Jack Brabham.

In a Museum first, the Brabham will join 11 other cars from the Museum’s collection at Wakefield Park Raceway, in an unprecedented opportunity for the public to see them being driven around the track.

The vehicles will be on display at Wakefield Park from 10am until 3pm and will do laps individually and in groups.

Among the cars, some of which will be on public display for the first time, are the carefully conserved 1948 Daimler DE 36hp landaulette used by Queen Elizabeth II during her historic Royal Tour of Australia in 1954, the 1964 Bentley S3 saloon assigned to Sir Robert Menzies in 1966, and the 1918 Australian Six prototype.

National Museum Director, Dr Mathew Trinca, said ‘The National Museum’s historic vehicle collection is an intrinsic part of the Australian story and we are delighted to be able to share them in such an exciting way.

'This is the first time some of these cars have been on public display and it’s certainly the first time so many of our historic collection can be seen in one place,' Dr Trinca said.

'Even more thrilling is that all 12 vehicles will be in action and driven around the racetrack. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the fact that we maintain these vehicles in working order,' Dr Trinca said.

Heidi Pritchard, Manager, Lifelong Learning, said, ‘Motor vehicles are designed to move and have opened up the vast spaces of Australia for recreational activities, farming and industry.

'Although we are always pleased to put our vehicles on static display, seeing them doing what they were meant to do will be truly gratifying for those who are passionate about motoring,' Ms Pritchard said.

Curator Laina Hall said, 'A wonderful thing about having all these vehicles together is that they demonstrate the diversity of vehicles the Museum has. Each were collected, not as an example of type, but for the range of stories they have to tell about industry, adventure, advertising, technology, passion and Australia’s connections to the world.'

Dean Chapman, operations manager of Wakefield Park Raceway, said the event was quite different to their usual program and was a wonderful opportunity to engage new spectators.

'The National Museum holds great objects in their collections and we are thrilled that they want to bring these vehicles to our venue in Goulburn,' Mr Chapman said.

'There is already strong excitement among the local community about hosting this national event which will attract visitors from around the country.'

Car clubs are invited to take part in a ‘Show ‘n Shine' and members of the public are welcome to bring their own car treasures.

The vehicles on display and in action will be:

• 1918 Australian Six demonstration model
• 1923 5CV 'Type C' torpedo Citroen motor car, driven around Australia by Nevill Westwood in 1925
• Sundowner Bean 14hp car, 1925, driven by Francis Birtles on his record-breaking journey from London to Melbourne in 1927
• Model-T Ford truck, 1924–26, used to promote Aeroplane Jelly from 1978 to 1988
• 1926 Crossley Landaulette used for the Duke and Duchess of York 1927 Royal Tour of Australia
• 1948 Daimler DE 36hp landaulette used by Queen Elizabeth II during her 1954 Royal Tour of Australia
• 1958 Ceremonial Land Rover 'Special 88', used on Vice Regal occasions in Queensland during the 1960s and 1970s
• Model 48/215 Holden sedan, 1949, delivered the day before these Holdens were released for sale to the general public
• An immaculately maintained black 1959 Wolseley 1500 saloon sedan
• 1964 Bentley 'S' Series 3 black saloon motor car used by Sir Robert Menzies
• Brabham BT23A-1 Repco V8, 1967, built and raced by Formula One legend, Jack Brabham
• Holden Calais 2017 V sedan and accessories – manufactured at the GM Holden factory in Elizabeth, South Australia on 13 October 2017, a week prior to the plant's closure on 20 October 2017.

Media contact: Diana Streak, 02 6208 5091 | 0422 536 064 or media@nma.gov.au