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Story: Motor sport

Test rally, early 1900s

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Test rally, early 1900s

Roads were few and rugged in New Zealand in the early 1900s, when this photo was taken. It shows an Argyll, a Scottish-made motor car, taking part in a test rally or reliability trial. The Argyll was known for its reliability, and for a short period around 1906 was the world's best-selling make after Ford of Detroit.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, A. Bunyard Collection (PAColl-3124)

Reference: 1/2-074658-G

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Jim Webber, Motor sport – Earliest motor sports, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/39901/test-rally-early-1900s (accessed 25 June 2026).

Story by Jim Webber, published 29 November 2012, updated 1 April 2016.