Media Release
The National Automobile Museum of Tasmania located at 86 Cimitiere Street, Launceston is currently featuring "VIVA V8" as its latest theme display. This celebration of the V8 engine covers over 70 years of evolution and shows a wonderfully diverse range of cars powered by the iconic power plant.
The V8 engine was essentially born in 1902 when Leon Levavasseur took out the first patent on a V8 engine, but it was Cadillac who first put the V8 into mass production in 1914.
One of the most notable cars delivered new in Tasmania in 1929 was the Cadillac Imperial Limousine. Today this magnificent car is no less impressive and takes its place as a striking feature in the display. The car was purchased by the current owner’s family in 1955 from a Hobart car yard and has participated in numerous rallies since.
Equally as large but from a different era altogether the 1960 Pontiac Star Chief on display is an immaculate example. This Pontiac was purchased new by an Indian Chief in South Dakota and has travelled a mere 38,000 miles (61,000 km). This car is typical of American manufacturers` use of the V8 during the 1960s at a time when the Pontiac brand was at its peak with the introduction of the legendary GTO muscle cars.
The V8 engine was ideally suited to America, with a country so vast, petrol cheap and cars so big it was the logical power plant. The Ford Mustang stands as one of the true icons of motoring. The Boss 302 version, made famous on race tracks in Australia by Allan Moffat, was originally developed to contest the Trans Am racing series in the US. This stunning centre-piece to the exhibition has been recently bought from a motor museum in Illinois. This beautiful showpiece has an amazing history that has seen the car travel just 26,000 miles (41,600 km) since new.
In Australia the V8 rose to popularity in the 1960s in our own muscle cars. It was also typically found in up-market models from Ford Holden and Chrysler. The release of the VC Valiant in 1966 heralded the real beginning of the Battle of the big three. “VIVA V8” features a beautiful original example of the much loved VC Valiant V8.
Holden’s race bred muscle cars peaked in the 1970s with the release of the sensational A9X Torana. The A9X on display has been restored to the absolute pinnacle and has definite claims as Australia’s best original A9X Torana.
When classic cars are the topic, marques such as Morgan, Alfa Romeo and Daimler are synonymous. It is in contrast to the other cars featured in this display that these three sporting classics are featured. The Daimler SP 250 was powered by an absolute gem of an engine, a 2.5 litre V8 designed by Edward Turner who was better known for his design work on various Triumph Twin motorcycle engines and the Ariel Square Four.
The Morgan Plus 8 features the Rover V8 that started life as a Buick engine but was later developed by Rover to the point where it became Britain’s V8 of choice.
Alfa Romeo is not a marque we normally associate with the V8 but the stunning Montreal was produced in small numbers with a 90 degree Quad cam all alloy V8. The Montreal featured in the display is an immaculate example of this Italian classic.
“VIVA V8” is sure to bring back your memories and will take you on a wonderful journey spanning over seventy years of V8`s. Don’t miss it!
Now showing only at the National Automobile Museum of Tasmania. Further details contact Phil Costello on 6334 8888.
