Ransley Veteran Car Collection at Wonders of Wynyard

The Ransley Veteran Car Collection fills the Wonders of Wynyard centre on Tasmania's north-west coast with 18 veteran vehicles, and one of them is a piece of global Ford history: a 1903 Ford Model A carrying engine number 31, the equal-oldest Ford in the world. Francis Ransley bought it from Detroit in 1989, restored it around its original wooden-framed aluminium body, then marked Ford's centenary in 2003 by driving it 26,000 kilometres through 58 Australian towns.

The supporting cast holds its own. A 1907 Ford Model K, the marque's rare six-cylinder luxury experiment with only about 20 survivors, sits near a 1905 Darracq Flying Fifteen believed to be the only example in Australia, itself the product of 25 years of worldwide parts hunting, and a 1911 Brush runabout with then-radical independent coil suspension.

The centre around the cars won Gold at the 2021 Australian Tourism Awards and doubles as the region's visitor information hub, with an art gallery, gift shop and volunteers who know the coast, which makes it a natural first stop on a north-west Tasmania drive.

• 18 veteran vehicles, billed as Australia's largest collection of locally restored veteran Fords.
• The 1903 Ford Model A, engine no. 31, the equal-oldest Ford in the world, with its original wooden-framed aluminium body.
• The 1907 Ford Model K: six cylinders, 40 hp, Ford's early luxury gamble, roughly 20 left worldwide.
• A 1905 Darracq Flying Fifteen, believed unique in Australia, assembled from 25 years of parts hunting.
• A 1911 Brush runabout with innovative independent coil spring suspension and left-hand drive.
• Interpretive displays telling Francis Ransley's decades of collecting and restoration, including the 2003 centenary tour.
• An art gallery of local work, gift shop, free Wi-Fi and the region's visitor information desk under the same roof.
• Wheelchair accessible throughout, with long-bay parking for caravans outside.

• Open 7 days; confirm current hours on wondersofwynyard.com or (03) 6443 8330 before travelling.
• Tickets at the door: $11.50 adults, $10.50 concession, children under 15 free with a paying adult, groups of 15+ $10 each.
• Allow 30 to 60 minutes for the cars; longer if the gallery and visitor centre pull you in.
• Long-bay parking suits caravans and motorhomes; the centre is wheelchair accessible and pet friendly by inquiry.
• Wynyard sits on the coastal route between Devonport and Stanley; the centre doubles as the visitor information stop for the area.

Last updated: 2 September 2026