The Tarrant automobile was the first motor car built in
Victoria, Australia
Victoria is a state in southeastern Australia. It is the second-smallest state with a land area of , the second most populated state (after New South Wales) with a population of over 6.5 million, and the most densely populated state in ...
and the first petrol engine motor car built in Australia.
History
Colonel Harley Tarrant built his first car in 1901. After a small number of motor vehicles were built, it became apparent that it was uneconomic to build indigenous vehicles, in the face of overseas technology. Tarrant assumed the responsibility for distribution of
Ford
Ford commonly refers to:
* Ford Motor Company, an automobile manufacturer founded by Henry Ford
* Ford (crossing), a shallow crossing on a river
Ford may also refer to:
Ford Motor Company
* Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company
* Ford F ...
automobiles in Victoria in 1908, and production of Tarrants ceased.
The Tarrant automobile was a 2 cylinder vehicle and contained only 2 seats; the driver and the passenger.
About 16 cars were built between 1900 and 1907.
Legacy
The last surviving Tarrant was acquired by the
Royal Automobile Club of Victoria
The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) is a motoring club and mutual organisation. It offers various services to members, including insurance and roadside assistance.
It has about 30,000 ordinary club members who have access to the li ...
in 2002.
[
In 1984 the car was featured on a ]postage stamp
A postage stamp is a small piece of paper issued by a post office, postal administration, or other authorized vendors to customers who pay postage (the cost involved in moving, insuring, or registering mail), who then affix the stamp to the f ...
, part of a series of five depicting early Australian automobiles, issued by Australia Postbr>
See also
*Automotive industry in Australia
A substantial car industry was created in Australia in the 20th century through the opening of Australian plants by international manufacturers. The first major carmaker was Ford Australia and the first Australian-designed mass production car ...
References
{{reflist
External links
Australian Dictionary of Biography entry for Colonel Harley Tarrant
Cars of Australia
1901 establishments in Australia
1908 disestablishments in Australia