Calling all petrol heads

Do you love cars? The sleek lines, revving engine and the smell of an oily rag? Well have we got a blog post for you! Drawn from the collections at the North and West Auckland Research Centres, we have vintage cars galore plus images of car rallies all set in the landscapes of the North Shore and West Auckland.

The introduction of cars 100 years ago revolutionised the way people lived, worked and spent their leisure time. Suddenly getting from A to B was much quicker and more efficient, opening up opportunities for people to take outings and trips. Like all  places around the world, the introduction of the car also brought a radical change in the landscape and the way towns were laid out and operated and some not so pleasant side effects, such as pollution.

Keen to find out more? Check out this great visual history of the car in NZ and browse through the heritage resources at Auckland Libraries.

Pre-1920s cars:

Ref: Frank Morris, international buggy, location unknown, c. 1910s, West Auckland Research Centre, Auckland Libraries, FMO-0729-00066-G 

Ref: Photographer unknown, pre-1920 touring Daimler, Park Road, Titirangi, c. 1920s, West Auckland Research Centre, Auckland Libraries, JTD-10M-02768

Ref: CF Bell, open top vehicle, location unknown, c. 1920s, North Auckland Research Centre, Auckland Libraries, D_TR_0008_0

Golden oldies:

Ref: Photographer unknown, vintage car, West Coast Road, Waitakeres Ranges, 1920s, West Auckland Research Centre, JTD-04J-05806-1

Ref: Photographs unknown, Ford automobile, East Coast Road, c. 1929/1930, North Auckland Research Centre, Auckland Libraries, T1223

Speed demons:

Ref: Photographer unknown, vintage car, Chelsea Estate Birkenhead, 1970s, North Auckland Research Centre, B0027

Ref: Frank Morris, international buggy, motor car races, Muriwai Beach, 1922, West Auckland Research Centre, Auckland Libraries, JTD-01K-04472-1

Car rallies:

Ref: Photographer unknown, vintage cars at rally on Chelsea Estate, Birkenhead, 1970s, North Auckland Research Centre, Auckland Libraries, B0025

Freedom of the car:

Ref: Photographer unknown, camp at Muriwai, 1922, Waitakeres, West Auckland Research Centre, Auckland Libraries, JTD-01K-04467

Ref: Photographer unknown, cars on Mountain Road on their way to rotary club picnic, Henderson valley, 1922, Waitakeres, West Auckland Research Centre, Auckland Libraries, JTD-14J-04370

Ref: JT Diamond, beach at south end, Piha, c. 1955, WestAuckland Research Centre, Auckland Libraries, JTD-04E-00050

Ref: Photographer unknown, cars and tents at Piha camping ground, Waitakeres, c. 1930s,West Auckland Research Centre, Auckland Libraries, JTD-04K-04740

Author: Natasha Barrett (NB)