Welcome to the AMHF Newsletter for March 2026.
Workshop Manuals
The AMHF currently holds over 700 motor vehicle workshop, OEM technical, specialist and glove box manuals in our collection. The manuals cover the majority of motor vehicles sold, manufactured or assembled in Australia from the early days of motoring.
A unique donation was recently made by Bruce Polain. It’s an original Coventry Climax FPF engine specification and tuning guide, issued by the manufacturer in around 1957. Torque wrench figures and valve timing instructions are included. An eight-page parts list with original GBP prices was also donated by Bruce.
This engine was produced in 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 2.7 litre formats and powered Jack Brabham and Jim Clark to four Formula One World Drivers’ and World Constructors’ Championships.
Copies of this document, and others, can be purchased from the AMHF. We are also interested in discussing any workshop manuals you would like to donate. In both instances, please email us at [email protected].
Automotive artefact donations
Our collections and library are built upon the generous donations of artefacts by motoring enthusiasts. As you would expect, we have a structured process for accepting donations into the collections and library. Our focus is on Australian and Australian related items. Right now, we are looking to fill gaps in our Australian magazine collection, especially:
- Motor Manual: any edition prior to 1982
- Wheels: May 1955, February 1956, April 1956, December 2008, August 2020, plus any Hot Up Guides and Wheels Road Tests 1976 to 1987
- Modern Motor/Motor: July 2009 and all editions of 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021, plus any Modern Motor Road Tests and Performance Cars compilations
- Street Machine: any editions
- Stuart Griffiths Road Tests: 1959 onwards, except 1965
- Australian Muscle Car: editions 1-9, 11, 12, 28, 29, 71, 79 and 82
- Any Australian Speedway, Rally and Drag Racing publications
- Any Australian automotive and motorcycle publications prior to 1950, such as The Australian Motorist, The Motor in Australia and Flying,and Motorlife Australia
Please contact us if you think you could assist us with a donation.
On Two Wheels
Our motorcycling collection curated by Phil Whitton. Housed in the Kel Carruthers room at the Australian Motor Heritage Foundation (at Sydney Motorsport Park), it includes thousands of magazines, including REVS, Two Wheels, AMCN and UK magazines, plus a wide variety of books covering biographies, brand names and technical subjects. Why not visit and chat with Phil? Contact us on this LINK.
More than a Collection
Apart from our extensive collections and library, our website hosts exclusive automotive stories from motoring journalists and historians including Peter Robinson, Dr Andrew Moore, Dave Williamson, Brian Caldersmith, Brian Goulding, Rod Chivas, Geoff Piggott, John O’Farrell and David Burrell.
Peter interviewed GM’s recently retired senior vice-president of design, Mike Simcoe. As the first Australian to sit in the design boss’s office at GM, Mike has unique insights into car design and its future. Peter Robinson’s stories are here.
In other stories, Rod Chivas takes you on a journey to the Lost Track of Dunedoo. Brian Goulding profiles Ken Miles. Brian Caldersmith reminisces about his friend Sir John Whitmore. John O’Farrell shares the background of his award-winning Holden Gemini wagon. Dr Andrew Moore explains his passion for his Renault R8 Gordini. Dave Williamson writes about Ron Dore, a quiet mechanic who worked on F1 cars in the 1950s. David Burrell spoke with David Bentley, who designed the Austin Tasman and Kimberley, and revealed many never before seen design sketches.
Follow this LINK to read them.
Automotive Heritage Economic Impact Survey (AHEIS)
During 2026 we are issuing a series of media releases which highlight the many outcomes of our groundbreaking 2024 Automotive Heritage Economic Impact Survey. These releases are separate to this Newsletter.
Our next media release will highlight the $1.3 billion spent annually by Australian motoring enthusiasts on heritage vehicle body repairs and panel restorations each year.
The first, sent recently, focused on the $1.4 billion spent on parts and accessories. You can read the full report here.
YouTube Interview with Racetrack Designer, Bob Barnard
Bob Barnard is a name familiar to many as the force behind three Australian motor racing circuits – the Adelaide Parklands F1 circuit, Phillip Island and Sydney Motorsport Park (formerly Eastern Creek). Bob now lives in Spain and is still active in circuit design and lending his expertise to resolve litigation matters.
Bob has been interviewed by AMHF volunteer Rod Chivas. Our audio/visual specialist, Peter Tomlinson, produced and edited the vision.
Supporters of the Foundation have benefited from early access to the interview on our special YouTube channel. The interview is now available to all enthusiasts, via this LINK.
Bob has also written a book called Seven Crazy Years (and that was just the start). Use this LINK to purchase it.
Becoming a Friend of the Foundation
The AMHF is operated entirely by volunteers. You can support our ongoing work by becoming a Friend of the Foundation, through financial donations, volunteering and financial support.
Financial Donations
The Foundation is a registered charity, with Deductible Gift Recipient status for the library. Gifts to our library over $2 are tax deductible. To find out more and how to donate please click on this LINK.
Volunteer
Our volunteers are involved in a wide variety of projects and activities including content creation for our media channels, research, special projects, curating rare automotive artefacts, fundraising, stakeholder engagement and events management. As a volunteer you benefit from the opportunity to discuss all things motoring with like-minded enthusiasts and access to the collections. To join us please use this LINK to contact us.
Supporter
As a financial Supporter your contribution will help with those expenses which are not covered by financial donations. Supporters received a range of benefits and discounts. To find out more, please click on this LINK.
Research Facilities
As a public library, the Australian Motor Heritage Foundation is open for personal research on most Wednesdays between 10am and 1pm. Bookings are required. Alternatively, we have specialists who can do the research for you, for a modest time-based fee. To discuss any research project and our fee structure, please contact us using this form.
Financial Supporters benefit from free research (time limited) and discounted fees.
Racing Car News
As a registered charity, one of the ways the Foundation 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 for over 20 copies. Contact us using this form.
Heritage Automotive Podcasts
AMHF Supporter Stephen Wells highlights a specific automotive topic in his popular “Motoring Weekly” podcast. Stephen’s interview of journalist and former Wheels magazine editor Peter Robinson is here.
The team at the Australian Motor Heritage Foundation
