Our Story
The Legacy of
Sir Len and Lady Vera Southward.
The Southward Car Museum is more than just a collection of rare and remarkable vehicles, it is a monument to the vision, passion, and persistence of Sir Len and Lady Vera Southward - a couple whose shared love of engineering, motoring, and community shaped one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most remarkable vehicle collections.
"Nobody
made any money
out of being paid once for a job
they had to do
twice!"
LEN SOUTHWARD
A Passion for Mechanics Begins
Born in Wellington in 1905, Sir Len Southward’s fascination with mechanics began early. By age 13, he had left school to work as a messenger boy, eventually becoming a skilled motorcycle mechanic. In 1926, he launched his first business ‘Southward and Pettengell Motorcycle Engineers’ and by 1935, he had opened his own garage. During WWII, facing parts shortages, Len's entrepreneurial instincts kicked in. He began manufacturing steel tubing, exhaust systems, and even pram wheels—laying the groundwork for Southward Engineering, founded in 1955.
Speed, Records, and Recognition
A speed enthusiast, Sir Len built and raced the legendary speedboat Redhead, becoming the first person in Australasia to exceed 100mph on water in 1953 and later setting a new record at 109.9mph. These achievements earned him national acclaim and reflected the relentless determination that would shape his legacy - not just on the water, but in a lifelong journey devoted to preserving motoring history.
A Shared Love of Vintage Cars
Len’s love of cars led him and his wife Vera to begin collecting in 1956, starting with a humble Ford Model T (link this when moved) bought for £40. Their shared passion for vintage vehicles saw them attend rallies, win awards, and steadily expand their collection. By the late 1960s, Len had retired from Southward Engineering - leaving the business in the hands of his sons Roy and John Southward - and turned his focus toward creating a permanent home for their growing collection. In 1976, they purchased land in Otaihanga and began building a museum.
Opening the Southward Car Museum
Construction was delayed until 1977 due to council approvals, but on December 22nd 1979, the Southward Car Museum officially opened its doors. Purpose built with community and preservation in mind, houses over 450 vehicles, motorcycles, aircraft, memorabilia and his legendary speedboat RedHead. It also features a 474-seat theatre, conference facilities, and a coffee shop set on six hectares of beautifully landscaped grounds.
Honouring a Lifelong Legacy
Sir Len was knighted in 1986 for his service to the community, especially the disabled. After his passing in 2004, Lady Vera continued to support the museum until her own passing. Her final gift helped fund the museum’s Legacy Room - an interactive exhibit space where visitors can experience the Southwards' extraordinary journey through photos, videos, and memorabilia.
The Museum Today
Now run by the Southward Museum Trust, with Len’s son John still involved, the museum stands as a vibrant tribute to innovation, heritage, and the enduring legacy of two remarkable New Zealanders