National Motor Museum

National Motor Museum

Our museums goal is to tell the story of ordinary Australian motoring. We are a social history museum with a dynamic exhibition and events program. A scenic drive through the Adelaide hills leads to the small town of Birdwood. Our 3,500 sq metres of pavilions display a collection and interpretation that appeals to the general public as well as enthusiasts.
The National Motor Museum is a Museum of the History Trust of South Australia.

Address: 
Shannon Street, Birdwood, SA
Tel: 
0885685006
Hours: 
9.00am - 5.00pm 7 days a week except Christmas day
Admission: 
General $9.00, Concession $7.00, Child $4.00 (5-15), Under 5's free, Family (2 adults plus unlimited children) $24.00
Facilities: 
Wheelchair accessible, one wheelchair available for public use, shop, tours, brochure, reference library and research available, multiple indoor and outdoor BBQ facilities, adventure playground.
Collection: 
The National Motor Museum has the largest collection of motor vehicles of any Museum in the Southern hemisphere. The collection is comprised of cars, trucks, motorcycles and auto mobilia. The National Motor Museum has an extensive research library.

Items

Motor Vehicles

Holden 48-215

Holden 48-215
Creator:
General Motors, Holden Australia
Description:
This is the first Holden to roll off the assembly line at Fisherman's Bend, Victoria in 1948. Greeted by the Prime Minister. Chiffley. The Holden was the realisation of the dreams and the hard work of 50 years of Australian car manufacturers.
Date:
1948
Item Id Number:
Eng 1001

Fisherman's Bend,

Motorcycles

Favourite Motorcycle

Favourite Motorcycle
Creator:
Smith Bros, Peterborough, SA
Description:
This Australian-made motorcycle was supplied to a grazier in Yongala but never registered. The favourite has had it's original paint finish. It is powered by 500cc Abingdon King Dick engine.
Date:
1914
Item Id Number:
HT2001.517B

Peterborough, Yongala, South Australia

Motor Vehicles

Shearer Steam Carriage

Shearer Steam Carriage
Creator:
Shearer Farm Machinery, SA
Description:
The Shearer is the oldest operating Australian-made car. This steam operating vehicle was created by the farm machinery family, the shearers.
Date:
1899
Item Id Number:
HT2001.408B

Mannum, Adelaide, South Australia

Motor Vehicle Manufacturing

Employee Pass

Creator:
Holden Motor Body Builders Ltd.
Description:
This pressed aluminium employees pass was used by car body builders to check out tools at Holden's Motor Body Building plant in Woodville. Holden built the bodies for imported car chassis.
Item Id Number:
HT2001.363B

Woodville, South Australia

Motor Vehicles

Datsun 260 Z

Creator:
Nissan Motor Co Ltd. Japan
Description:
This Datsun was driven by Don Dunstan, premier of South Australia from 1974 until his death.
Date:
1974
Item Id Number:
HT2001.483B

Adelaide, Yokohama, Japan