The Museum has collected a number of Veteran Vehicles, primarily through the generosity of local Australian donors.
The Veteran collection is defined as vehicles built between 1905 and 1918. This definition is taken from the Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens (FIVA).
This collection reflects the prosperity of car owners at the beginning of the twentieth century. At that time motor vehicles were only affordable by the wealthy. The veteran vehicle industry was dominated by a large number of highly skilled manufacturers that produced small numbers of vehicles.
The collection demonstrates an early opulence in Australian motoring, with many vehicles being built with expensive materials such as brass, nickel, wood and leather. The collection reflects the range of vehicles available, from the mass produced, to those with individually built bodies. This period also illustrates the rise of the Australian motor body building industry, particularly towards the end of the era.