GILBERT’S MOTOR MUSEUM
ALL ROADS LEAD TO STRATHALBYN
MUSEUM HOURS:
WED TO SUN 10am to 4pm
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 10am to 4pm
(Closed Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day)
ENTRY: $10
Concession: $8
Under 16, accompanied by an adult: Free
Groups of 20 or more (pre-booked): $8 pp
You’ll love Gilbert’s Motor Museum.
Think motoring history, motorcycles, vintage, classic, muscle cars and more on show for all to see and enjoy in our beautiful town of Strathalbyn, South Australia.
ALL ROADS LEAD TO STRATHALBYN.
South Australia and Strathalbyn have a huge motoring history.
Strathalbyn is centrally located between the city of Adelaide, Victor Harbor, Murray Bridge and The Bend Motorsport Park at Tailem Bend. Being only a 45-minute drive from Adelaide, along the South Eastern Freeway and scenic country roads, it is the perfect destination for a drive, whether it be in the family car or your prized classic, whether it be alone or with a car club.
Gilbert’s Motor Museum is an initiative of the Strathalbyn Tourism Association, a non-profit group which is dedicated to promoting tourism in the area through events and sponsorship of local community groups.
The Museum is located within the historic building owned and used by the Gilbert family since the early 1900’s until the closing of Gilbert Motors in December 2018.
During that time Gilbert Motors manufactured Treblig bicycles and motorcycles, sold home appliances, motor vehicles including Buick and Holden and farm machinery and had vehicle repair and bodywork facilities.
Now vehicles on display include some of those sold new from the premises and veteran, vintage, classic and motor sports vehicles. Many of them are bound to bring back youthful memories to our visitors.
Of particular interest is the display of racing vehicles from Rowley Park Speedway, which is curated by the South Australian Vintage Speedcar Association.
We strive to ensure the cars and items on display have a story that brings them to life and hope our constantly changing exhibitions will touch everybody who visits Gilbert’s Motor Museum.
HOME OF THE GLEN DIX COLLECTION
Our patron, the legendary Glen Dix amassed a fascinating collection of memorabilia over his decades of involvement in motor sport. The collection is displayed throughout the Museum and in the Glen Dix OAM Library.
MAKING IT HAPPEN
Gilbert’s Motor Museum was conceived by the Strathalbyn Tourism Association and made possible with the efforts of volunteers and support of sponsors.
In 2018 the Gilbert family announced it would be closing Gilbert Motors after 117 years of trading at 34 High Street. As a former garage and petrol station, the premises would have been difficult to remediate and re-purpose for other business uses, so the Gilberts supported the STA’s concept of a motor museum and made the premises available to us. As 34 High Street had always been known to the locals simply as “Gilbert’s” if was only fitting that the Museum retain that name.
With the commitment and dedication of a core group of hard-working volunteers and the generosity and skills of local tradespeople, we began to transform the property.
In August 2019, we were able to open the front showroom to promote the fledgling museum and plead our need for more vehicles, money and volunteers (not necessarily in that order).
Since then Gilbert’s Motor Museum has gone from strength to strength and grown into the exciting and diverse collection of vehicles and associated displays of motoring history and memorabilia that we are proud to present today.
OUR PATRON – GLEN DIX
Glen Dix is revered as a South Australian motorsport legend. He spent decades officiating in speedway, motocross, karting, circuit car and bike racing. He is best known, world over, for his flamboyant flag waving on the finish line of the Adelaide Formula 1 Grands Prix. In 2009 he was awarded an OAM for services to motor sport.
Glen has amassed a fascinating collection of motoring memorabilia, much of which is on display throughout Gilbert’s Motor Museum and in our Glen Dix OAM Library.
MUSEUM AMBASSADOR 2020 – 2023
ED ORDYNSKI.
Retired from rally driving, Ed Ordynski competed all over Australia and internationally in an extremely successful career that spanned 34 years. He is best known as the leading factory drive for Team Mitsubishi Ralliart Australia.
After retiring from rallying Ed chaired the Australian Rally Commission and worked with Motorsports Training Australia. He is an advisor to the SA Motorsport Board and the Australian Institute for Motor Sport Safety.
MUSEUM AMBASSADOR
TOM GILBERT
Tom Gilbert is owner/operator of the Gilbert family’s fifth-generation business Adelaide Hills Toyota and a passionate car buff with interests ranging in everything from vintage cars to all forms of motor sport.
Tom was born in Mt. Barker and has lived in the Adelaide Hills all his life. In his spare time he can be found enjoying the Australian outback in a Kombi van or the magnificent Adelaide Hills in a vintage air-cooled Porsche.
