Welcome to the AMHF Newsletter for June 2026.
AMHF Collection Spotlight: Recalling the Redex Trials
The 1953, 1954 and 1955 Redex Reliability Trials were epic tests of endurance that captured Australia’s imagination. Ordinary production cars were sent across brutal outback roads, river crossings, dust, mud and thousands of punishing kilometres.
Such was the excitement of the ’round Australia events that newspapers ran front page stories. Many column inches were written, with every angle covered. Almost daily Movietone and Cinesound newsreel updates were shown in cinemas, in those pre-TV days.
The AMHF has a small trove of newspaper clippings and other artefacts about the trials and we are keen to expand our collection of this important automotive and cultural event. If you have any Redex Trial memorabilia you would like to donate the AMHF, please contact via this link.
Also, we would very much value donations related to the subsequent Ampol, Mobilgas and Repco around Australia trials.
Celebrating 1966: A BIG year for Australian car buyers!
It is the 60th anniversary of one of those rare years in the Australian market when Chrysler, GMH, Datsun and Ford all unveiled brand new sheet metal on their family cars. Buyers were offered more choices than ever before. There was choice of brands, styling, models, engines and options.
The HR Holden and VC Valiant were major re-styles of existing models. The Datsun Cedric and XR Falcon were all new shapes. Each car was important in its own way.
For Holden, the HR was its hoped for come back after the less than successful HD and declining market share. Over at Chrysler Australia, the VC was the first Valiant to be largely styled by the company’s small local design team.
Datsun’s Cedric’s lines came from Pininfarina’s studios. Its release marks the start of Datsun’s rise to success in Australia, and was quickly followed by the smaller 1000 and mid-sized 1600 models.
At the top of the importance ranking was the “Mustang-bred” Falcon. This car established the dimensional and packaging template for the Australian family car that endured until the last Commodore rolled off the production line in 2017. And it democratised the V8. Previously, only expensive American cars, the pricey V8 Valiant and a few UK/European exotics gave Australians access to a V8. Suddenly, in 1966, you could have V8 performance in your run-of-the-mill Falcon for a modest price premium over a six. The power race had started!
The AMHF website showcases the design to driveway story of the XR Falcon, including a rare US image of the styling prototype. To read, follow this link.
Recent visits
The AMHF welcomed members of the Thoroughbred Sports Cars Club and representatives of the Gnoo Blas Car Club from Orange, NSW.
AMHF Collection Spotlight: First and Finals
The AMHF has one of the most extensive collections of Australia motor magazines in the country, including many rare first and final editions.
First editions are an invaluable and celebratory starting point because they contain the original vision, editorial goals, and hopes and dreams of the editor and founders for their new publication. On the other hand, last editions are invariably unannounced. All too often a magazine is suddenly gone, with little explanation. At the AMHF we endeavour to collect first and finals as they bookend the story behind the stories.
The AMHF is open for in-person research most Wednesdays between 10am and 1pm. Bookings are required. To discuss any research project and our fee structure, please contact us using this link.
Historic race car details
Recently accepted into the AMHF collection is a wealth of CAMS (now Motorsport Australia) documentation, including historic logbook applications, forms, reports and eligibility correspondence detailing background information and the history of many race cars across Australia. The generous donation was made by Terry McGrath from WA and will be of interest to the researchers and the current owners of historic race cars.
Become 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. To donate please click on this LINK. To Volunteer please use this LINK to contact us. To find out about becoming a financial supporter, please click on this LINK.
Race programs on sale
The AMHF has received a generous donation of duplicate race programs, many from the Australian Grand Prix, so that we may sell them to fund our ongoing operations. Please follow this link to see availability and prices, which includes postage.
Racing Car News
As a registered charity, one of the ways the AMHF raises money is through the sales of surplus books and magazines. The most popular magazine by far is Racing Car News. If you have a gap in your RCN collection, we may have it for sale. Individual copies are priced at $6. Discounts apply for financial Supporters and orders over 20 copies. Contact us using this LINK.
Database operational
The AMHF’s new online archive database, which has been operational since March, is opening up our collections to enthusiasts, historians, media, educators and researchers. Currently, over 4,500 automotive book titles are available, and work is progressing on preparing magazines titles and photos for loading onto the database. Built for all devices the database can be easily accessed using this link.
The team at the Australian Motor Heritage Foundation
