Historic Racers - Australian Collection

[gary396]

Whilst missing all the UK weather last month on holiday in Australia I managed to squeeze in a visit to their National Motor Museum (at Birdwood near Adelaide). It is described as Australia's 'biggest motoring collection of 300 vintage, veteran, post war, classic and modern cars, commercial vehicles and 100 motorcycles'.

There were a few with some local racing history so I thought some photos may be of interest (mods please move if I've put this in the wrong forum). The first group are, in order shown (and as per the information provided locally):

1. 1990 Formula Brabham Shrike (V6 3.8 litre engine)
2. WM Holden Special (based on a 1952 prototype Cooper Bristol which was raced by Mike Hawthorn and Bernie Ecclestone)
3. 1964 Elfin Mono Type 100
4. 1971 Chrysler E38 Valiant Charger (one of the 'works' cars)
5. 1977 Holden LX Torana A9X Hatch (Group C Touring Car)
6. 1970 Holden ST Monaro 350 GTS (the 'Bathhurst model')

[gary396]

Moving away from the racing theme a bit:

1. 1960 Gogomobil Dart (fibreglass body, 392cc air cooled engine)
2. 1970 Lamborghini Miura P400S (spec as per its original order by owner Twiggy)
3. 1927 Bugatti Type 35B (described as an Argentinian 'reconstruction')
4. 1936 MG SA Saloon (6-cylinder, 2.3 litre engine)
5. Alfa Romeo Montreal
6. 1970 Alfa Romeo Junior Z 1.3 by Zagato

[gary396]

Last few:

1. 1949 MG TC
2. From the right '70 Ferrari 365 Daytona, '76 Porsche 911 Carrera 3, '65 Volvo P1800S, '65 Jaguar E-Type 4.2, '68 Aston Martin DBS6 and '74 Datsun 206Z (individual photos also taken and available)
3. 1971 Falcon GTHO Phase 3

I have more details of each of the cars if anyone is interested (plus lots more photos of course). Well worth a visit if you get the chance. The cars perhaps aren't displayed at their best as they are a bit 'crammed in' and difficult to get 'clean' photos but that's down to a lack of space for a relatively large collection.

Gary

[johngee]

Thanks for the photos Gary

Originally Posted by gary396

1960 Gogomobil Dart (fibreglass body, 392cc air cooled engine)

I think this has Roger Wills handwriting all over it!

[Peter Mallett]

I like the little Zagato Alfa.

[gary396]

Originally Posted by johngee

Thanks for the photos Gary



I think this has Roger Wills handwriting all over it!

It was certainly an interesting little thing and quite well turned out. Apparently, although it was designed and built in Australia the chassis and running gear were imported from Hans Glas in Germany who had designed a saloon version. They built about 700 of these Darts.

[gary396]

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

I like the little Zagato Alfa.

Yes, it was a very tidy example. Made in 1970 there were apparently just over 1100 made by Zagato and this one was imported to Australia from the USA in the 1980's (supposedly only one of four in Oz, where the conversion to RHD was done). The note on this one states that it has been raced Phillip Island historic events. There was one other Alfa on display on this particular stand: