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The 96-page catalogue for the 1925 International Motor Show sold for sixpence, (5 cents) and contained many articles on the automotive industry's first 25 years of existence.
Featured at the front of the 1929 Official Catalogue was this quotable quote: "Nothing does more to banish ignorance and to encourage the spirit of charity that makes the whole world kin than a system of good highways providing easy transportation, banishing distance and isolation, and enabling the whole people of the State to enjoy fellowship with their neighbours."
In 1927, the road to the Melbourne Motor Show was lit, from the Windsor Hotel to the Royal Exhibition Building by 1600 lamps supported on Venetian masts. For the first time, the great dome of the Royal Exhibition Building was also illuminated.
Although the Second World War ended in 1945 it wasn't until 1949 that there was sufficient supply of cars to warrant a motor show. May 12th, 1949 saw the Royal Exhibition Building open its doors after a nine-year lapse, and car hungry Melbournians poured through the doors.
An aftermarket and accessories exhibitor at the 1949 Motor Show sold children's steering wheels which fitted to the dashboard with a suction cap, recommended by the Road Safety Council because it would stop the child from distracting the driver. Price? 18-11d with gear lever, 13-11d without!
Launches hosted by Melbourne Motor Show during the 1950s included the Porsche 356 in 1952, Hudson Super Wasp in 1954, Ford Thunderbird in 1956 and Mercedes 220s convertible in 1958.
The 1957 Motor Show attracted its first television news coverage.
At the 1959 silver jubilee motor show the public viewed 132 different models from 47 different makes of automotive vehicles.
A prize of £5 was awarded each day at the 1962 Motor Show to the person presenting the oldest current driving licence.
The 1975 Melbourne Motor Show marked an important turning point in Australia's technological history because it heralded the introduction of the first true luxury car made in this country - the Ilinga AF2, an Aboriginal word meaning "towards the horizon".
The 1978 Melbourne Motor Show saw the James Bond Lotus Esprit Submarine car make its appearance straight out of the latest blockbuster movie.
In 1979 a scale model of the Space Shuttle and space lab, which was to be launched from Kennedy Space Centre in Florida later that year, was displayed at the Motor Show. Organisers wished to commemorate the inaugural launch of NASA's Space Shuttle orbital program and to make Australians more familiar with the intricacies and technological advances of space travel.
At the 1984 Melbourne Motor Show, the most valuable car in the world, at the time was on show, was the 1907 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, which was insured by Lloyds of London for one million pounds.
Launches hosted by Melbourne Motor Show during the 1980s included the Toyota Celica in 1982, the Mazda 626 in 1983 and BMW Z1 roadster in 1989.
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