Written on the back of this photo is: This is an Australian “6” the first cars assembled in and built in Australia. Composing of [-] small cars usual engine, columbia gear box and t——- axle. In photo Bill Ryan, Dorry ? and Unas [sic] Ellis.
From Wikipedia –
The Australian Six was an Australian automobile manufactured from 1919 to 1925. It was a grandiose attempt to compete against imported cars from the United States, and was produced from a mixture of local and imported parts. Vehicles featured a conventional chassis layout and a choice of five bodies, locally made under the motto ‘Made in Australia, by Australians, for Australia’.[1] Most models were fitted with Rutenber Straight-6 engines and Grand Lees or Muncie gearboxes; some, however, had imported OHV Ansted engines instead. Before 1919 the factory was at the Sydney Harbour side suburb of Rushcutters Bay, New South Wales, it then moved to Ashfield until 1924. The company was forced to shut down production after some 500 cars were built; this was due mainly to high local construction costs. The final few cars were made by the Harkness and Hillier hire car company in Sydney. Sixteen Australian Sixes survive, one in the Powerhouse Museum automobile collection in Sydney.
History Gilgandra 