CONTENTS: ABOUT YESTERYEAR WORLD A Message from the Founder.................. 1 The Late George Gilltrap..................... 2 MOTORING HISTORY Genevieve. .............................3 Early Development in Motor Transport........ .4-5 Australian Motor Cars..................... 6-7 Four Famous Names - De Dion Bouton ........................8 -Ford ..............................9 - Rolls Royce .......................... 10 -Ferrari .............................. 11 Restoration. ............................ 12 EXHIBITS- TRANSPORT Veteran Cars. ........................ 13-1 7 Vintage Cars.......................... 18-21 Post Vintage. ........................22-23 ,. Motorcycles & Cycles·· · · · · · · · · · · .......24-25 Commercial Vehicles · · · · · · · · · · .........26-27 Farm Machinery · · · · · · · · · · · ·. · ...........28 Horse Drawn Vehicles . · ................29-30 Aviation ......... ; ....................31 Locomotives ............................31 EXHIBITS - HISTORICAL DISPLAYS Small Arms Collection · ....................32 Household Items .........................33 Other Displays (Telephone, etc.) .............33 Musical Items ...........................34 TWIN TOWNS PRINTERY, GOLD COAST. PHONE 36 1944. A MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDER • • • • The Foundation of this Museum is the fulfilment of a long cherished ambition. I was privileged to witness and take part in the transition from the use of animal power to mechanical for mankind's needs in transportation and agriculture. I felt that it would be a wonderful and worthwhile project to gather together and preserve for the enlightenment of future generations a living history of the changeover. Not in the hushed, cold 'cemetery-like' atmosphere of a city Museum, but as a living, breathing display where the exhibits are all mobile and in full running order, ready to take the road at any time. There was great public interest in these old cars and I found myself being called on to perform at all sorts of charitable functions with them, from conveying Santa to giving rides at Church Bazaars. Eventually I took the plunge of giving up my motor and machinery business to set up this privately operated Museum. · As all vehicles, buildings and equipment are owned by the Museum, it represents a very considerable investment. Public response has been very encouraging and we have greatly increased the display items and extended the Museum considerably since our opening in September 1959. A great professor once told me that without a study of the past there can be no progress in the future, so it is my hope that all those who visit the Museum may go away a little richer for the experience. I hope that as the years go by people will continue to find enjoyment in taking a look at this fascinating and important page in the history of Transport. In so doing they will ensure its continued existence and expansion', wherein lies my reward for faith in an ideal. 20th September, 1965. I. THE LATE GEORGE E. GILL TRAP Was born in Ireland, a member of a family of eight boys and two girls. He migrated to New Zealand at the age of 12 and a year later was working as a teamster on the Canterbury wheatfields and also taking his turn driving a bullock team hauling logs. It may have been during this time that his love of things mechanical grew and when 15 years old he had saved enough to buy the cheapest car then available. During the following years he went through as many cars as possible on his pocket range- none of which was of later vintage than 1914. In his spare time he got to know how to handle the farm tractor and soon became a very successful tractor demonstrator in the North Island of New Zealand. He served overseas during World War II in an airfield construction unit, then turned his hand to contracting, operating heavy machinery on farm and road development work in the. l?ush around Rotorua, New Zealand. In time he established the largest war surplus disposal business in New Zealand and in 1952 chartered a ship to bring back 300 tons of Jeeps and other equipment from the then Dutch New Guinea jungles. His great interest in mechanical things exte.nded to all vehicles and the first car he collected, an old Stanley Steam car, bought about 1939, was the start of the present Museum. From time to time people heard of his interest and gave him information on old cars which were available, and the collection grew, until in 1954 he opened a small Museum adjacent to his motor business in Rotorua. On an overseas trip in 1957, studying veteran car Museums in the United States and Europe, Mr. Gilltrap negotiated with Mr. Norman Reeves to purchase "Genevieve," the 1904 Darracq which has starred in the film, and was certainly the best known veteran car in the world. Before opening the Museum, George put a selection of the cars on display in the Brisbane City Hall, as a segment of the State's Centenary Celebrations. The Queensland Bush Children Appeal benefited by over $2,000 from the three­ day Autorama. By September, 1959 the new Museum building was ready and the first visitors had the opportunity to see and hear the exhibits in action - George had something unique in his Museum, in that demonstrations of the cars were given- an unheard of idea in the majority of Museums. As the Museum became talked about and a "must" for Gold Coast visitors dozens of celebrities and beauty queens rode on the Gold Coast in some of George's colourful old cars. George considered himself fortunate to be one of the few people who can make their hobby into a full-time business. He was dedicated to his unusual occupation and considered the Gold Coast the ideal spot for it. Every opportunity to help further interest in the area and aid its development was given his full support. He died of leukemia on March 19th, 1966 after a long battle with the illness. His family continue to operate the .,Museum he founded . G6R6VI6V6 1904 Darracq (Genevieve) Alexandre Darracq was a successful bicycle manufacturer who entered the. motor field to produce a reliable car with every modern feature of the day at a reasonable price. There is no doubt that he succeeded. using steering column gear change, foot accelerator, good brakes. pendant control pedals, shaft drive. sliding three· speed gearbox etc. and 55-60 km.p.h. speed. This car is "Genevieve" of the film fame and undoubtedly the most famous car in the world. Shipped to Darracq Motors Limited, London in March 1905, after 30 years work she was left abandoned and all records destroyed. In 1948 she was . discovered by Mr. Norman Reeves of Middlesex. who spent two years restoring her to · original condition. When J. Arthur Rank decided to produce a film of the theme of the London to Brighton old car run, it fell to the lot of this 1904 French Darracq to take the leading role. In the film "Genevieve" was driven by John Gregson. The film was one of the most successful comedies ever made and has been shown around the world several times. Mr. Gilltrap was introduced to "Genevieve's" owner during the London to Brighton old car run in 1957. A timidly made offer to purchase the car was quickly . brushed aside. Mr. Gilltrap returned to New Zealand and had almost forgotten the incident when he received a letter from Mr. Norman Reeves saying he had given the matter further thought and could possibly be interested in negotiating a deal. From there on it was not long till "Genevieve" was safely boxed up and sailing to New Zealand. Due to severe import restrictions in New Zealand she was only allowed in on a temporary permit and the Government's refusal to grant a permanent Import Licence for "Genevieve" helped influence the Gilltrap family's decision to move to Australia. "Genevieve" is kept fully registered and roadworthy because she is often called on to convey notable personalities visiting the Gold Coast. 3. EaPI)l clsvslopmsnts in motoP It is just over 100 short years since Gottlieb Daimler built the first commercialy successful four stroke compression before ignition engine. In that tiine it has transformed the face of the earth and the lives of those who live on it. The story of those first 25 years after 1872 is the story of men who stuck with a dream through ridicule and disappointment to be rewarded with great personal satisfaction and commercial success. Engine power was nothing new in 1872, of course. The steam engine had a long history of development, and the firm for which Daimler worked, Otto and Langen, was one of many selling gas explosion engines for commercial use, but complexity in the former case and sheer mechanical inefficiency in the latter rendered them impractical for future development. Mention must also be made of Viennese scientist, Seigfried Markus, who built four cars in the 1870s, one of which survives today. Its single cylinder 1570cc engine develops .75 b.h.p. at 500 r.p.m. and propelled Markus' crude vehicle at 8kmp.h. The engine was exceptionally advanced in carburation and its use of low tension magneto ignition but because Markus discontinued his experiments its significance in the development of the motor car is limited. Others, notably the Frenchman lenoir, were also working on the four stroke engine in the early 1880s. In 1885, however, Daimler's work led him to what is generally regarded as the ancestor of the modern internal combustion engine. It was relatively light, high speed (600-700 r.p.m.). used poppet valves and hot tube ignition and Daimler fitted one to a Boneshaker bicycle similar to the one on display at Yesteryear World. Not surprisingly it proved intractable. Another German, Karl Benz, is credited with producing the first light self propelled vehicle for sale to the general public. During the summer of 1885 he mounted a slow running horizontal unit in a three wheeled vehicle, the patent for which was granted in January 1886.