National Motor Museum, Birdwood facts for kids
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| Established | 1964 |
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| Location |
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| Type | Automobile museum |
The National Motor Museum is an awesome place in the Adelaide Hills in Birdwood, South Australia. It's a museum all about cars, motorbikes, and other cool vehicles! It used to be known as "The Old Mill" or "Birdwood Mill" because of its first home.
Contents
History of the Museum
The National Motor Museum first opened its doors in 1964. It was started by two people, Jack Kaines and Len Vigar. Back then, it was called the Birdwood Mill Pioneer, Art and Motor Museum.
In 1970, a private company took over the museum. Later, in 1976, the South Australian Government bought it. Since 1982, it has been looked after by an organization called History SA.
The Bay to Birdwood Run
In 1980, a group called the Federation of Vintage Car Clubs (SA) asked Donald Chisholm, who was the museum's manager, to help start a special event. This event became the famous Bay to Birdwood classic car run.
Donald Chisholm helped organize it. He also suggested giving a special trophy for the "Concours d'Elegance" award. This trophy looks like the old Shearer Steam Car, which you can still see at the museum!
What You'll See at the Museum
The National Motor Museum is Australia's biggest motor museum. It has nearly 400 vehicles on display! You can see a huge and important collection of cars, motorcycles, and trucks. The museum is in a modern building right next to its original spot, "The Old Mill," on Shannon Street in Birdwood.
The Bay to Birdwood Finish Line
The museum is also the finish line for the yearly Bay to Birdwood run. In this event, owners drive their amazing vintage, veteran, and classic cars from the coast of Adelaide, through the hills, and all the way to the museum. When they arrive, there's a big festival, and awards are given out.
Amazing Vehicles on Display
Here are just some of the cool cars and motorbikes you might see at the museum:
- 1897 Peugeot Type 17 chassis
- 1899 Shearer Steam Carriage
- 1907 Rover 6hp
- 1909 Merryweather Fire Engine
- 1913 Renault Two Seater
- 1921 Ford Model T
- 1925 Rolls-Royce 20hp coupe
- 1926 Graham Brothers truck
- 1928 Ford Model A Tourer
- 1934 Ford V8 coupe utility (not restored)
- 1939 Diamond T Bus
- 1948 Hartnett prototype
- 1956 Land Rover Series 1 LWB Station Wagon (one of two used by the Leyland brothers in a film)
- 1958 Holden FC Special Station Sedan
- 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air sedan
- 1963 Lightburn Zeta Sports
- 1969 Holden Panel Van 'Midnight Express'
- 1971 Chrysler Valiant Charger R/T38 coupe racer
- 1974 Datsun 260Z
- 1977 Holden Torana A9X hatchback
- 1980 Telecom Australia Phone Car
- 1983 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ45 wagon
- 1998 Toyota Prius sedan
- 2000 Holden ECOmmodore sedan (VX) concept car
Motorbikes on Display
- 1904 Minerva
- 1910 Matchless
- 1920 Harley Davidson Sport Twin
- 1927 Indian Scout
- 1936 Brough-Superior Model SS80
- 1948 Vincent Series B Rapide
- 1960 Mazda Three Wheeler
- 1964 Honda Monkey CZ100
- 1972 Honda CB 750
See also
- List of automobile museums
