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
Sir Len Southward was born in Wellington in 1905, and from a young age showed a natural interest in how things worked. His fascination with mechanics began early, and by the age of 13 he had left school to work as a messenger boy.
That first step into the working world eventually led him toward engineering and motorcycles, where he developed the practical skills and mechanical knowledge that would shape much of his life. Len became a skilled motorcycle mechanic, and in 1926 he launched his first business, Southward and Pettengell Motorcycle Engineers.
By 1935, Len had opened his own garage, continuing to build a reputation for skill, innovation and hard work. During the Second World War, when parts and materials were difficult to source, Len adapted. He began manufacturing steel tubing, exhaust systems and even pram wheels, showing the kind of resourcefulness and entrepreneurial thinking that would later define Southward Engineering.
In 1955, Southward Engineering was founded - a business that grew from Len’s technical ability, determination and willingness to find practical solutions when others saw obstacles.
Speed, Records, and Recognition
Len was not only a mechanic and businessman - he was also a man with a deep love of speed.
His passion for performance led him to build and race the now-legendary speedboat Redhead. In 1953, Len became the first person in Australasia to exceed 100mph on water, a remarkable achievement that earned him national recognition. He later went on to set a new record of 109.9mph, further cementing his place in New Zealand’s sporting and engineering history.
These achievements were more than records. They reflected Len’s character: ambitious, determined, inventive and never afraid to push boundaries. The same qualities that helped him succeed on the water also shaped the Museum that would later carry his name.
A Shared Love of Vintage Cars
While Len’s mechanical knowledge and love of engineering played a major role in the story, Southward Car Museum was not simply one man’s dream. It was a shared passion between Len and his wife, Lady Vera Southward.
In 1956, Len and Vera purchased their first vintage vehicle, a Ford Model T, for £40. What may have seemed like a modest beginning would become the foundation of an extraordinary collection.
Together, they became involved in the vintage motoring community, attending rallies, restoring vehicles, winning awards and steadily expanding their collection. Their interest was not just in owning rare and beautiful vehicles, but in preserving the stories, craftsmanship and history behind them.
As the years went on, the collection continued to grow. What began as a personal hobby gradually became something much larger - a collection of national significance that deserved to be shared with the public.
Creating a Permanent Home
By the late 1960s, Len had retired from Southward Engineering, leaving the business in the hands of his sons, Roy and John Southward. With more time to focus on the collection, Len and Vera began planning for a permanent home where the vehicles could be properly housed, displayed and enjoyed.
Their vision was not simply to build a shed full of cars. They wanted to create a purpose-built museum that would preserve motoring history while also becoming a place for the community. It was to be a destination where people could learn, remember, explore and be inspired.
In 1976, land was purchased in Otaihanga on the Kāpiti Coast, and plans for the Museum began to take shape. After delays with council approvals, construction moved ahead, and the dream of a dedicated museum became a reality.
Opening the Southward Car Museum
On 22 December 1979, Southward Car Museum officially opened its doors.
From the beginning, the Museum was designed to be much more than a display of vehicles. It was purpose-built as a place for preservation, education and community connection. Alongside the collection, the facility included a theatre, conference spaces, a coffee shop and landscaped grounds, creating a destination that could welcome visitors, events and gatherings of all kinds.
The collection itself continued to reflect Len and Vera’s wide-ranging interest in transport history. Today, the Museum is home to vehicles, motorcycles, aircraft, memorabilia and the legendary speedboat Redhead - each piece forming part of a much larger story of engineering, design, innovation and cultural change.
A Life of Service and Generosity
Sir Len’s contribution extended far beyond business, engineering and motoring history.
In 1986, he was knighted for his service to the community, particularly his support for disabled people. This recognition reflected the generosity and public spirit that had long been part of the Southward story.
The Museum itself is one of the clearest examples of that legacy. Len and Vera created something that was never intended to be kept only for themselves. Their collection was built, protected and ultimately shared so that others could experience it, learn from it and enjoy it.
Honouring a Lifelong Legacy
Sir Len passed away in 2004, but the Museum remained a living tribute to his passion, skill and determination. Lady Vera continued to support the Museum after his passing, ensuring that the legacy they had built together would continue.
Today, Southward Car Museum includes a dedicated exhibit celebrating the lives and legacy of Sir Len and Lady Vera Southward.
This exhibit gives visitors a deeper understanding of the people behind the collection. Through photographs, video, memorabilia and personal stories, it explores Len’s early years, his engineering achievements, his record-breaking speedboat success, and the shared passion that led Len and Vera to create the Museum.
It also recognises Lady Vera’s important role in the story. Her support, commitment and final gift helped fund the creation of the Legacy Room, ensuring their story could be preserved and shared with future generations. The exhibit is a reminder that the Museum is not only about vehicles - it is about the people, values and vision that made it possible.
The Museum Today
Today, Southward Car Museum is run by the Southward Museum Trust, with Len and Vera’s legacy continuing to guide its purpose.
The Museum remains a place where history, innovation and community come together. Visitors can explore rare vintage vehicles, iconic classics, motorcycles, aircraft, motoring memorabilia and special exhibits, while also enjoying the theatre, event spaces, Coffee Stop, shop and landscaped grounds.
More than four decades after opening, Southward Car Museum continues to stand as a tribute to two extraordinary New Zealanders. Sir Len and Lady Vera Southward created something lasting - a place built from passion, preserved with care, and shared for the enjoyment of generations to come.
