
One of our volunteers, Sporty Moran, checks out the David Brown 2D Tool Carrier tractor.
You know you’re an enthusiast when a trifecta of wintry winds, frosty feels and the promise of precipitation doesn’t keep you away from a show.
Our hard-working volunteers pulled off our second display day of the year to launch, ‘Bygone British Marques’, replacing the previous ‘Lost American Brands’ display.
And despite the somewhat dismal weather of the day, there was a strong line-up of interesting vehicles in the display of the day in the Museum grounds, to complement the strong collection of British models inside.
A tidy Hillman Imp (pictured), whose keen owner drove from Melbourne for the day, took out the People’s Choice Award for best vehicle display in the grounds, and we presented the Rootes Group Car Club with a plaque of appreciation for their assistance and strong contribution of display vehicles to Club Corner in the ongoing display inside the Museum.
An innovative machine for its time, a 1957 David Brown 2D Tool Carrier tractor, exhibited by Geoff Hobson, was a particular score for the exhibition, and is well-worth a look. It’s pictured here with volunteer Sporty Moran.
The small tool carrier machine with a rear-mounted 12 horsepower, two cylinder engine with a four-speed transmission, also has a rear-mounted seating position, leaving room to mid-mount a range of implements, including inter-row cultivators.
The hollow tool frame of the tractor doubled as a reservoir for the compressed air-operated implement lift system, which was driven by the gearbox-mounted compressor. Another innovative feature for the time was the tractor’s air-cooled, two-cylinder diesel engine, complete with aluminium block.
Only 2008 of these tractors were ever produced, making them a rare find in Australia. This particular machine was used on an asparagus farm at Thorpdale and Mr Hobson is currently refurbishing it.
Our Bygone British Marques exhibition is on until the end of October, and is a great reason to visit for the first time, or come in for another look at what we have on offer at the GVC and Model World Maffra.

This Hillman Imp won the People’s Choice Award accolade at the launch of our new Bygone British Marques exhibit.