HISTORIC CAR FEATURES

The traction limitations of single-axle drive in two- and multi-axle vehicles were well understood in the very early days of automotive development, so successive all-wheel-drive designs have always been availabl

Harold (‘Harry’) Arminius Miller was an American race engine and car designer and builder – most active in the 1920s and 1930s – who was by far the most influential person in this field in the USA. His designs led to all-conquering ‘Offy’ race winners in the post-War period and even influenced Ettore Bugatti.

Within the British Commonwealth, Royal visits are still a huge deal and the carriages chosen to transport the visitors are chosen very carefully. This 1951 Cadillac is a standout and was auctioned in Las Vegas by Barrett Jackson in September 2026.

One of the major regional car shows in NSW is the Newcastle Euro Motorfest. The 2026 event It took place on Sunday, June 21, at Newcastle Foreshore Park. Historic Vehicles was represented by local car club members, Helen and Ken C.

We’re sure it’s the same all over the world, in relatively remote areas: piles of ‘junk’ at the back of rural sheds, or in corners of barns. Sometimes that stuff is very interesting, but can be frustratingly difficult to identify.

The infamously banned 1981 Lotus 88 Formula One car featured a well documented twin-chassis design, but we’ve found another two-chassis car that deserves credit as well – particularly as it emerged back in 1906!

Prince Philip was no stranger to controversy, but he was also something of a pioneer in the alternative-energy field. For some months in 1982 his preferred mode of transport around London was in a prototype battery-electric Bedford CF ‘people mover’ van.

You only have to rub shoulders with some members of historic British car, bike and truck clubs to realise that the demise of this once great institution is most commonly attributed to disconnected management, intransigent unions and misguided government intervention. These reasons are obviously correct, but there was more to it than that.

Most fans of the Great Race don’t know that an Italian GP machine won at the fabled Brickyard, in 1939 and 1940. A Maserati 8CTF, going by the handle of the Boyle Special, beat the Yanks at their own game. A sister car later won twice at Pikes Peak.

A recent European court case has highlighted the shaky ground on which replica car makers set up shop. Some original vehicle makers (OEMs) don’t seem to mind their designs being replicated, while others forbid the practice. We try to sort out the liabilities.

Several European makers, including Mercedes-Benz, developed rear-engined cars in the 1930s, undoubtedly inspired by the work of Ferdinand Porsche and Tatra’s Hans Ledwinka, who also invented the backbone chassis.

Many car enthusiasts haven’t heard of this German car brand, but it was one of the innovators in the pre-WWII era. A unique museum, dedicated to some of the Stoewer brothers’ products, is evidence of one man’s passion to commemorate these automotive pioneers.

The Pontiac Super Chief is a rare beast these days, but this two-owner car may also be a one-off. Its original owner claimed that it was the only completely-built-up 1957 model brought into Australia.

In many lists of little-known automotive historical facts is a tidbit about the engineer who invented cruise control: he was actually blind. Yep, that seems pretty incredible, but that’s where the info about Ralph R Teetor begins and ends for most.

It could hardly have been better weather and we can’t think of a better site than Queanbeyan Park for the 50th Anniversary Terribly British Day car rally on 2nd November. 

Two-stroke engines have higher power-to-weight ratios than naturally aspirated four-stroke engines. Also, two-stroke engines have fewer moving parts and are lighter and cheaper to manufacture. Although the four-stroke eventually dominated, many car manufacturers used two-strokes in the 20th century.

Dubonnet suspension was a system of independent front suspension and steering, invented by André Dubonnet in 1929. It was initially exhibited in 1932, trialled by Enzo Ferrari on an Alfa Romeo P3 racing car and was then adopted by several makers, including General Motors, who fitted it to many of its American and European models.

The Track Opening Parade at the Goodwood Revival always celebrates something different, from classic motorcycles to Meyers’ Manx beach buggies and in 2025 the Motor Circuit hosted a collection of Volkswagen Type 2 Split Screens.

In late August, 2025, Historic Vehicles came across a NSW Creepy Crawly Rally event, held in the Southern Highlands. There were some very rare and interesting vehicles on this run.

Modern car makers tout the ‘hill-holder’ or ‘hill start assist’ as something relatively new, but its origins date back to the 1920s.

Insurance: perhaps the most uninteresting subject you will find on these hallowed pages. Many will call it a necessary evil; even closing their eyes in defiant belligerence as they enter their credit card details. But what are you buying exactly?

This Sydney-based facility is much more than a conventional historic vehicle restoration and maintenance business, because the expert staff work in conjunction with the Modern Classic Cars Foundation.

BMW’s 3 Series set a benchmark for driving pleasure in the mid-size class that has continued through 50 years and seven generations.

A 1961 Lotus Elite Series 2 with unprecedented provenance was auctioned by RM Sotheby’s in June 2025.

Ford Australia was established in 1925, expanding the Ford Motor Company’s global operations. A ‘History in the Making’ event was held in Melbourne in April 2025.

The poppet-valve internal combustion engine has dominated the automotive scene, but it wasn’t always the clear leader. Sleeve-valve engines were popular pre-WWII and reed valves, disc valves and rotary valves still have some applications.

Rolls-Royce’s Phantom is the ultimate blank canvas for bespoke bodywork commissions; the marque’s pinnacle product and its most famous nameplate.

During both 20th century World Wars, petrol and diesel were rationed in warring countries, so alternative fuels were developed. The most popular were gaseous fuels, made by on-board wood, coke or charcoal ‘gas-producers’, or supplied from coal-sourced town gas.

Since its inception in 2016 the Mildura Holden Motor Museum is now a thriving local attraction, which includes a cafe, kids activities and an in-store/on-line store full of rare and interesting products.

Thousands of motoring enthusiasts descended on the Melbourne Showgrounds in late-November for the 2024 Motors & Masterpieces automotive festival.

The USA’s Cannonball Run record was claimed in late-2024 by Chris Stowell, driving a tuned 2015 BMW 535 Diesel. This legendary – and illegal – unsanctioned speed record challenge involves a very fast drive across the country, from New York to LA.

For nostalgia buffs – most Historic Vehicles website visitors fit that description – the annual races at Bathurst’s Mount Panorama conjure up many memories of past glories. One of the most enduring is the reign of ‘Godzilla’, as it was named by Wheels Magazine.

Bruno Sacco, one of the best-known designers in automotive history, died in Sindelfingen on 19th September 2024, at the age of 90. Born in Italy with German citizenship, he was Chief Designer for Mercedes‑Benz cars from 1975 until his retirement in 1999.

We’ve been asked by many Historic Vehicles website followers about the viability of converting their classic cars to battery-electric power and we’re indebted to the Australian Electric Vehicle Association for input into the realities of BEV conversions. 

It’s 60 years since a Phantom III starred in Goldfinger. On 25th October, 2024, Rolls-Royce will open a new chapter in the ‘AU 1’ Phantom story, furthering the legacy of this extraordinary motor car, and Rolls-Royce’s connection to the James Bond film franchise.

Cars and station wagons with polished wood rear bodywork became affectionately known as ‘woodies’ in the USA in the 1930s, but the origin goes back to Europe’s ‘shooting brake’, some 100 years before then.

The following photos and words show some of New Zealand’s post-WWII vehicles at work in various occupations. Our HV contributor, Colin Miller, is checking through his extensive archive and has promised more historic info.

The iconic Vegemite spread has now been around for 100 years and has some historic motoring affiliation.

Yes, we know the title of this website indicates its ‘classic’ raison d’être, but the scarcity of true classics and their climbing prices puts many machines out of reach. Enter the Alfa Romeo Tipo 158 look-alike: the Tipo 184.

The Cobargo Classic Vehicle Rally was held in this NSW South Coast town in early November. As usual, HV’s Sapphire Coast representative, Mick W, was on hand to take happy snaps of the wide variety of cars, trucks and bikes on display.

In September 2023, some 300 Model A Fords descended on the historic NSW town of Gulgong, to celebrate the model’s 95th Aussie birthday. 

The 2023 Bega Machinery & Classic Vehicle Rally was held in October and Historic Vehicles’ NSW Sapphire Coast representative was there to take some happy snaps of the displays – mainly cars, but some interesting trucks, bikes and farm machinery as well.

On 31st August, 1967, the 33 Stradale made its debut at the Monza GP. On the same date and in the same place, some 56 years later, the latest 33 Stradale was launched.

The famed Rubicon Trail in the USA is the pinnacle off-road travel experience in the Jeep Jamboree calendar and the event had its 70th anniversary in 2023. We scored a drive across the Rubicon back in 1998, making this a 25th anniversary year for us.

Some of our Historic Vehicles website visitors were curious to know what vehicles Jim Gibson and Allan Whiting have owned as daily drives over the past 60-odd years, so here they are.

HK Engineering is the only company worldwide that is dedicated to the restoration and maintenance of Mercedes-Benz 300 SL cars. It also sells other makes of collectible cars.

The 19th Falcon GT Nationals event was held in Bathurst, NSW,  in May 2023. Some 430 cars were exhibited and we’re privileged to have the accompanying video of the occasion.

Cummins is synonymous with diesel engine power for trucks, earthmovers, boats, mining equipment and generators…but not passenger cars. That wasn’t Clessie Cummins’ fault, because he tried his damndest.

Surviving prototype cars are scarcer than hens’ teeth, so we were pleasantly surprised to be told of one that not only survived the past 60+ years, but was in regular use until relatively recently.

The annual National Motoring Heritage Day promotes and displays Australia’s strong motoring heritage.

When Porsche enlarged its range of post-2022 electric cars, from the Taycan and Macan to other models in the range, it was déjà vu for the German marque, because Ferdinand Porsche’s first design effort was an electric car, back in 1898.

On a 2023 visit to the Apple Isle we came across many interesting vehicles, including some in the most unexpected places. Here are the highlights.

In 2017, on the 20th anniversary of Japanese movie star Toshiro Mifune’s death in 1997, an exhibition entitled The World Famous Mifune was held at Tokyu Department store in Shibuya, Tokyo. Star exhibit was Mifune’s beloved MG TD.

Old car freaks, who are also Netflix series watchers, have asked us what is the make and model of the latest Addams Family vehicle. In a departure from previous movies, it’s a 1938 Pontiac, but with extensive modifications.

The ‘X’ configuration attracted a number of engine designers, including – most notably – Henry Ford. We’ve chosen X-8 initiatives with some automotive applications for this report, but all of them were fated to fail.

The Goulburn Car and Motorcycle Show was the sixth such annual event, held at Wakefield Park Raceway in November 2022. The Show was proudly supported by the Rotary Club of Goulburn, in NSW.

A Commercial Trip in Central Queensland and the Northern Territory, reprinted from The Australian Buick Bulletin, December 1916 issue.

The decision of Chicago, Illinois-based car dealer and accessories vendor Stanley H ‘Wacky’ Arnolt to market his own series of imported sports cars in the early 1950s had far-reaching consequences that affected important players in the automotive industry.

We ventured along to cover the above event at this hamlet on the NSW South Coast, in October 2022. A couple of the Shannons’ crew  – Sheena and Neville – were there to support the event, and were busy all day at the tent, fielding enquiries from many car owners. 

Barry Sainsbury was the second and last manufacturer of the Aussie designed and built Mazengarb overhead valve conversion kit for the post-War Morris Minor’s side-valve engine.

To the old maxim that there are only two certainties in life: death and taxes, there’s a third element: fuel prices continue to rise. Right from the early days of the motor vehicle came inventions that claimed to reduce the size of the hole in motorists’ pockets.

The annual Shannons’ sponsored classic car show was organised by the Council of Motor Clubs and hosted at the Eastern Creek Motorsport Park by the Australian Racing Drivers Club. 

The tiny Daimler Motor Car of 1892 looks even smaller, standing beside two magnificent Mercedes-Benz 770 ‘Grand Mercedes’ WO7 models from the 1930s. However, it fits in this picture perfectly, because, like them, it was the prestige vehicle of its time.

Vicki W is a blue-blood Ford groupie. As a young girl she loved going to the Castlereagh Drag Races in western Sydney. That led to a lifetime of Ford V8 ownership.

Those of you of a certain age who visited or originated in the UK will be familiar with the chain of shoe shops called Lilley & Skinner which were a common sight in the High Streets of most towns. This shoe business was started in 1835 by one Thomas Lilley.

The 21-month crime spree by legendary US villains Bonnie and Clyde – Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow and their gang – in the early 1930s, is the stuff of legends and has inspired two major movies. Their preferred getaway car was Henry Ford’s then-new V8.

Here’s a poem written about the release of the first Holden in 1948. Ron Williams wrote it for the 48 215 50th Anniversary when he attended the celebrations at Lang Lang, Fishermen’s Bend and Albert Park.

Eagers Automotive Limited is the leading automotive retail group in Australia and New Zealand, with a long and proud history of more than 100 years, including an attempt on the Australian land speed record.

In 2013, Rolls-Royce was looking for an appropriate way to introduce the new Wraith that the company billed as the most powerful, dynamic motor car in Rolls-Royce Motor Car’s 109-year history. R-R chose the timing to coincide with the centenary of the 1913 Alpine Trial.

Automotive innovations don’t always meet the test of time. Here is what we hope will be a growing collection of yesterday’s good ideas. Please send in any others you come across.

“A company is like a human being: as long as it goes in for sports, it is fit, well-trained, full of enthusiasm and performance,” so said Robert Lutz, BMW AG board member, back in 1972. Thus was christened the youngest subsidiary of BMW AG at the time, BMW Motorsport GmbH. 

The world’s most expensive car in 2022 was a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR that was reportedly sold from the company’s Stuttgart museum stock for a staggering 135 million euros (US$142 million).

In 1887, Russell Stewart Begg was born in Columbus, Ohio, in the USA and grew up in the horse-and-buggy and bicycle era. He went on to have an important influence on early automotive engineering and was pivotal in the development of the original Holden.

There was never an official Ford Speedster, based on the ubiquitous Model T, but various forms of ‘Speedsters’ were produced by ‘hot rodders’ in the post-Word War I period, as alternatives to the much more expensive Stutz and Mercer performance two-seaters.

The Longford Circuit was a temporary motor racing course laid out on public roads at Longford, 23 kilometres south-west of Launceston in Tasmania, Australia.

There are contesting claims as to the origin of the first ‘ute’ and some people reckon it’s an Aussie invention.