Museum Metadata Exchange

Names

Name PrimaryClassic Vehicles collection

IDs

ID LocalNMM 8

ID UriOffline Only

Descriptions

Brief DescriptionThis collection includes a wide variety of post Second World War vehicles from British, American and Australian manufacturers. This was the age of the family car, when car ownership increased significantly, and many families acquired a second car.

SignificanceThis collection is representative of a period of peak production in the British and American vehicle manufacturing industries and the emergence of an Australian industry. American cars of the period can be characterised by their large size and engine capacity, while the British cars of the period tended to be smaller in size and engine capacity, but with higher power to weight ratios. The collection reveals the period's propensity for materials such as steel, the extensive and elaborate adornment of surfaces with chrome and wood veneer, and the emergence of new materials such as plastic. In 1948 Holden released the first 'All-Australian' car, the 48-215. In general, Australian vehicle manufacturers of this period tended to mirror their American counterparts, albeit on a slightly more prudent scale. [np] These vehicles represent to many enthusiasts the 'golden age' of motoring when environmental, resource and social considerations such as pollution, fuel consumption and traffic jams were not fundamental issues. It was the heyday, when motoring was fun, exhilarating and liberating.

AccessA National Motor Museum collection. Access to collection items held in Museum Stores is by appointment only.

Subjects

aptCars

scotCars; Road vehicles

localEnvironmental Impact; Manufacturing; Materials; Motorcars; Social Aspirations

pontMotor cars

person_orgNational Motor Museum, South Australia

Coverage Spatial

TextBritain; United States of America; Australia

Coverage Temporal

From1941

To1985

Related Collections

Dates

Date Record Updated2012-05-30 23:40

Date Created in MME2011-03-04 13:47