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Our social history through cars at MOTAT

A new exhibition opening at MOTAT is not just for petrol heads but for people interested in the cultural impact of cars on Kiwi society.

Accelerate: Driving New Zealand isn't just a  bunch of classic cars - this exhibition looks at the technologies, social impacts and culture associated with automobiles.

It includes great Kiwi stories of vehicles from days gone by as well as technological advancements in motoring.

There are some gems of cars on display including the 'Black Beauty' racing car which helped power New Zealand onto the world stage of A1 GP motor racing which will be on loan to MOTAT for the exhibition.

MOTAT's Daimler has a royal history. (Motat collection item: 1982.999)

1953 - 1954 Royal Tour of Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh. Green & Hahn Photography Limited. (17 Jan 1954). Ref: 08/090/014. Walsh Memorial Library, MOTAT. Unknown copyright.

‘Black Beauty’, which helped power NZ onto the world stage of A1 GP motor racing. (On loan from Giltrap Group; LI2018.01)

A modified Mazda RX7. (On loan from Akbar Bhamji; LI2018.02)

The 1965 Trekka is the only Kiwi designed car to be mass-produced in New Zealand. (MOTAT collection number 1982.991)

Roger Taylor driving a Trekka through a river in the 1970s. Reproduced courtesy of Todd Niall, trekka.co.nz

Roger Taylor driving a Trekka through a river in the 1970s. Reproduced courtesy of Todd Niall, trekka.co.nz

The images in this gallery are used with permission and are subject to copyright conditions.