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A Stunning Collection At Southward Car Museum

In Paraparaumu, just north of Wellington (New Zealand) you'll find the Southward Car Museum, which houses a simply stunning collection of almost 400 motor vehicles, over 150 motorcycles, and three aircraft! The collection, originally started by Sir Len Southward has been built up over several decades and now features an amazing variety of vehicles representing New Zealand's automotive past, with a generous sprinkling of internationally famous vehicles as well.


If you're in the Wellington (New Zealand) region, this museum is simply a must see attraction, particulalr if you have any interest in motor vehicles -- don't miss it.  Photo: © Historical Aviation Film Unit

The Southward Car Museum, a must-visit destination for automobile enthusiasts, was founded by Sir Len Southward in 1979 and has since grown into one of the largest privately owned car collections in the world. Visitors can explore the museum's extensive exhibition halls, with different sections dedicated to a different type of vehicle or era in motoring history.

One of the standout features of the Museum is its collection of rare and exotic vehicles. The museum is home to numerous one-of-a-kind cars, including a 1930 Duesenberg Model J, a 1924 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, and a 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Phaeton. The museum also has an extensive collection of classic American cars, including several Chevrolet Corvettes, a Ford Thunderbird, and a 1960 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz Convertible.


One of the one-off vehicles at the Museum, a wedding car and bridal party trailer, from Reno, Nevada.   Photo: © Historical Aviation Film Unit


In addition to its impressive collection of vehicles, the Museum also features a range of interactive displays and exhibits so that visitors can learn about the history of motoring and the evolution of car design through a series of informative panels and multimedia displays. The museum also hosts regular events, including car shows, swap meets, and vintage rallies, making it a popular destination for car enthusiasts from around the world.

John Bellamore (Assistant Manager) from Southward's, and Tony Haycock (former editor of New Zealand's Classic Driver magazine), take a walk around the museum and discuss some of the vehicles.


For more details about the museum see: http://www.southwardcarmuseum.co.nz

The iconic 1955 Mercedes Benz 300 SL 'Gull Wing' -- one of the world's first supercars.   Photo: © Historical Aviation Film Unit



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