Welcome to the AMHF Newsletter for April 2026.
Our Remarkable Resources Now Online
The Australian Motor Heritage Foundation is proud to launch its new online archive database — a major step in sharing the remarkable resources held within our collection.
Our aim is simple: to preserve Australia’s motor heritage and make it accessible. By bringing the collection online, the database allows enthusiasts, historians, educators and researchers to discover the breadth of material held by AMHF.
The Chair of the AMHF, Hugh King said that:
This new database marks an important milestone for AMHF. It brings our collection into the digital era, strengthens our commitment to preserving Australia’s motor heritage, and makes these valuable resources easier than ever to discover and use.
Please access the database from the button found on the Collections page of the AMHF website, via this link. It will look like this:
At launch, the database includes more than 4,500 books, covering motoring history from the earliest days of the automobile through to the present. However, this is only the beginning. Many more books in the AMHF collection will be added in the coming months.
Each record provides key information about the resource and includes an option to contact AMHF for further details.
Over time, the database will expand to include the full scope of the collection, making it an increasingly valuable resource for the community. The collection includes books, magazines, race programmes and results, brochures, photographs, videos, workshop manuals and other research material.
The database has been built with ease of use in mind. Searching is quick and flexible.
The “Extend Search Criteria” button allows users to refine searches by adding additional terms or date ranges, while results can be sorted by column in ascending or descending order. This makes it easy to locate specific items or browse the collection in different ways. The system works smoothly across desktop, tablet and mobile devices.
Users can also move easily through the database. Records can be viewed one at a time and browsed sequentially using the Results arrows located at the top left of the screen.
As the database grows, additional features will enhance the experience. For example, many records currently display a placeholder image where book covers will be added over time. Another future addition is the “AMHF Review” section, which will allow our knowledgeable volunteers to contribute commentary and insights about items in the collection.
A major next stage of the project will be the inclusion of more than 8,000 Australian motoring magazines, an important body of material documenting the country’s automotive culture and industry. Once incorporated, these magazines will significantly expand the depth of the archive and the research possibilities it offers.
In the future, there will be many opportunities for enthusiasts from across the country to become involved in the project, such as preparing records, entering data and helping expand the archive. Importantly, some of this work can be done remotely.
Updates on new material and future developments will be shared through this newsletter and on the database front page.
Development of the database has been made possible by the generous assistance of Bill and Oleg at First Software Solutions, IT consultant Colin Seton at Hypermouse, and an AMHF team comprising Hugh King, Eli Solomon, Peter Tomlinson, Alison Wolf and Andrew Taurins.
Visits
The AMHF hosted visits by the Triumph Sports Owners Association and well-known motoring journalist Mike McCarthy. Mike spoke about his time as Technical Editor of Wheels, originator of Two Wheels and as a freelance automotive journalist.
Automotive magazine donations
Our collections and library are built upon the generous donations of artefacts by motoring enthusiasts.
Right now, we are looking to fill gaps in our Australian magazine collection, especially Speedway, Karting, Rally, Drag racing, Hot Rod, and any Australian automotive and motorcycle publications prior to 1950, such as The Australian Motorist, The Motor in Australia & Flying and Motorlife Australia.
Please contact us via this LINK if you think you could assist us with a donation.
Automotive Heritage Economic Impact Survey (AHEIS)
During 2026 we are issuing a series of media releases which highlight the many outcomes of our ground-breaking Automotive Heritage Economic Impact Survey. These releases are separate to this Newsletter. Our next media release will highlight the $1.9 billion economic impact of Australian motoring enthusiasts’ annual spend on mechanical repairs!
Previous releases have focused on the $2.7 billion spent on parts, accessories, heritage vehicle body repairs and panel restorations. You can read the full report at this page.
Becoming a Friend of the Foundation
You can support our ongoing work by becoming a Friend of the Foundation, through financial donations, volunteering and/or financial support.
Gifts to our library over $2 are tax deductible – please click here to donate. To Volunteer, contact us using this form. To find out about becoming a financial support, please click on this link.
Research Facilities
The AMHF is open for personal research on most Wednesdays between 10am and 1pm. Bookings are required. Alternatively, we have specialists who can undertake the research for you, for a modest time-based fee. Financial Supporters benefit from free research (time limited) and discounted fees. To discuss any research project and our fee structure, please contact us here.
Show Time
Some of the AMHF team recently assisted with the Sydney Harbour Concours on Cockatoo Island. Cars are transported to the island by barge, everything from a Rolls Royce Silver Ghost to an Austin 1800 ute and Toyota Celica GT. Car of the show was a 1936 Delage D6 70 cabriolet.
The Austin ute’s restoration was undertaken by 18-year-old Bronte Pagano. Bronte’s 1800 ran a close second in the Best Restoration award to Nick Grakini’s 1971 Toyota Celica GT, which boasted every accessory, document and tool.
The team at the Australian Motor Heritage Foundation
