Motoring history - historic and current photos

Herbert Thomson, born Prahran, Melbourne, 1870, died Richmond, Victoria, 1947, inventor and builder of Australia's first motor car

Thomson's cousin Edward Holmes who accompanied Herbert on the pioneering motor car trip of Australia in 1900

Herbert and Mrs Mary Thomson, an unidentified female passenger, and Edward Holmes (seated at rear) 

Thomson steam car at Phaeton's Run, Albury-Wodonga, 2000. Pictured are event organisers Brian Shepherd (left) and Darryl Starr 

Thomson's engineering works in High Street, Armadale, Melbourne, where Australia's first car was born

Restored Thomson steam phaeton is stored at the Powerhouse Museum in the Melbourne suburb of Spotswood.