Sunday, July 15, 2018

West Australian Motor Museum new wing


In March 2018 I took the opportunity to visit the newly expanded Motor Museum. An additional wing has been added to the rear of the museum, doubling its size. Some of the funds raised from the Classic Car Show this year will be used to rebuild the entrance with an atrium and better access.

Looking to the left in the original hall. Primarily English cars.

1948 Wolseley police car.

The Lightburn Zeta - roundly regarded as one of the worst cars ever built. Lightburn in Adelaide specialised in cement mixers and washing machines before launching out into the car industry with their 500cc two-stroke engined, fibreglass washing machine on wheels. To the right is a Lightburn washing machine.

1958 Lloyd Hartnett, restored and donated by my friend Ian Corrans.

This section is a somewhat random selection, with a Ford ambulance, Sinclair personal transporter, Bedford truck and Austin A40.

The veteran collection is dominated by several vehicles from the Markham collection. The 1898 Star  and 1905 De Dion Bouton were both important vehicles from the collection.

Model T Ford

Percy Markham's surviving sons, Barry (left) and Roger (centre) Markham receive begrudging recognition from the WA Museum for the family's extraordinary contribution to the state's heritage. It's been 40 years since the controversial sale of part of the Markham collection and the museum and state government still refuse to come clean on the issue.

1902 Oldsmobile and 1905 De Dion Bouton

Model T Ford

The Detroit Electric (right) was part of the Markham collection

Ford Model T in St Johns Ambulance livery



This interesting commercial vehicle was used as a railway luggage transporter. The driver would stand at the front and control the vehicle via the little handles on top.

As found display

Austin Seven

Bentley

Cadillac

Packard Straight 8

De Soto Airflow. This car was driven to Celebration of the Motorcar last year.

1927 Stanley Steamer. This is one of the Markham collection cars. It has recently been returned to display at the Motor Museum.

1932 Rockne. An unusual marque that was produced by Studebaker as a budget model.

1924 Vauxhall Tourer. This is one of the Markham collection cars. It needs a radiator rebuild.

1929 Triumph sportster

1924 Rolls-Royce light limousine. This was one of the Markham collection cars.

Walkway to the new wing

The major drawcard of the new wing is Daniel Ricciardo's 2014 Red Bull RB10 racer. Daniel has kindly loaned the Museum the car he won the 2014 Grand Prix in. 

1951 Byfield-Jaguar. The museum acquired several home built vehicles constructed by Cliff Byfield. This car was a custom built from Jaguar components.

1947 Byfield-Riley. This car utilizes Riley running gear. Cliff Byfield was 93 years old when he built this car!

This Byfield-Jaguar is as far removed from the previous car as its possible to be.

RAC display

Hudson

Holden Premier display. This collection of 11 Holden Premier models has been put up for auction.

Two replica vehicles that take us all the way back to the dawn of motoring - the 1886 Daimler motorcycle and 1888 Benz Patentwagen

I expect few visitors looking at these frail contraptions and the supermachines in the same hall make the connection.

A large section of the new wing is given over to racing

E-Type Jaguar

Volkswagen Beetle

Overview of the new wing

Motorcycle display

Holden 48/215

1946 Ford

Pack the picnic, love!

The Motor Museum at Whiteman Park is open daily from 10.00am–4.00pm
Adults $15.00, Child $10.00, Conc. $12.00, Family Pass $35.00
www.motormuseumofwa.asn.au/