National Museum of Australia to showcase 100 years of automotive history

A Chequered Past will see 12 vintage vehicles return to the track - some of which will be on public display for the first time.

Participating cars will include the 1967 Brabham Repco BT23A-1 V8 racing car, which was built and raced by Jack Brabham.

Other cars will include the 1948 Daimler DE 36hp landaulette used by Queen Elizabeth II during her historic royal tour of Australia in 1954, the 1964 Bentley S# saloon assigned to Sir Robert Menzies in 1966 and the 1918 Australian Six prototype.

The vehicles will be on display from 10am-3pm and will do laps both individually and in groups.

National Museum director Matthew Trinca said the historic vehicle collection was "an intrinsic part of the Australian story".

"This is the first some of these cars have been on public display and it's certainly the first time so many of our historic collection can be seen in one place," Dr Trinca said.

"Even more thrilling is that all 12 vehicles will be in action and driven around the racetrack. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the fact we maintain these vehicles in working order."

Curator Laina Hall said the collection would demonstrate the diversity of the museum's collection.

"Each were collected, not as an example of type, but for the range of stories they have to tell about industry, adventure, advertising, technology, passion and Australia's connections to the world," she said.

Car clubs are invited to take part in a Show 'n' Shine on the day and members of the public are welcome to bring their own car treasures.

The full list of featured cars is:

Brabham BT23A-1 Repco V8, 1967. Built and raced by Formula One legend, Jack Brabham.

The Sundowner Bean 14hp, 1925. Driven by Francis Birtles on his record-breaking journey from London to Melbourne in 1927.

Model-T Ford truck, 1924-26. Used to promote Aeroplane Jelly from 1978 to 1988.

Australian Six, 1918. Prototype demonstrator model designed by American Louis Chevrolet and Australian entrepreneur Frederick Gordon.

5CV 'Type C' torpedo Citroen, 1923. The first car driven around Australia by Nevill Westwood.

The 'Canberra' car, Crossley Landaulette, 1926. A rare coach-built vehicle imported to Australia that was used by the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth) during their 1927 royal tour.

DE 36hp Daimler Landaulette, 1948. Used by Queen Elizabeth II during the 1954 royal tour.

Model 48/215 Holden FX sedan, 1949. Delivered on the eve of 24 February 1949, the day before these Holdens were released for sale to the general public.

Ceremonial Land Rover 'Special 88', 1958. Used on Vice Regal occasions in Queensland during the 1960s and 1970s.

Wolseley 1500 saloon, 1959. Driven and meticulously looked after by one owner for over 50 years.

Bentley 'S' Series 3, 1964. One of four luxurious Bentleys purchased by the Australian government in 1964 for ceremonial and VIP use. The Bentley was assigned to Sir Robert Menzies on his retirement in 1966, until his death in 1978

Holden Calais V sedan, 2017. The Calais is one of the last motor vehicles produced by Holden in Australia.

For more information on the event or to book your ticket, click here.