Australia has punched above its weight in vehicle design and small-batch manufacturing, from utility-focused utes to coachbuilt sports cars and the recent surge in electric startups. That mix of regional workshops and national ambitions gives Australian motoring a distinct character worth exploring.
There are 30 Australian Car Brands, ranging from ACE EV Group to Zeta (by Lightburn). For each entry, you’ll find below Founded (year),HQ (city, state),Status / Notable models (max 15 words),Description (30-50 words); you’ll find below.
How many of these Australian car brands are still producing vehicles?
A minority remain in regular production today; several operate as low-volume specialists or EV startups, while most are defunct or absorbed by larger companies. Check the Status / Notable models column in the list below to see which marques are currently active or recently revived.
What counts as an “Australian car brand” on this list?
The list includes marques founded in Australia or closely tied to Australian design/manufacture, covering historic manufacturers, coachbuilders and modern startups; each entry gives founding year, HQ, operational status or notable models, and a concise 30–50 word description.
Australian Car Brands
| Brand | Founded (year) | HQ (city, state) | Status / Notable models (max 15 words) | Description (30-50 words) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holden | 1856 | Adelaide, SA | Defunct. Commodore, Kingswood, Monaro. | Australia’s most iconic car brand, evolving from a saddlery to the nation’s largest automaker. For decades, Holden was a cultural touchstone, famous for its family sedans and powerful V8s before its closure by GM in 2020. |
| Elfin | 1957 | Melbourne, VIC | Active. MS8 Streamliner, Clubman. | Australia’s oldest continuous sports car maker, renowned for its lightweight, high-performance track and road cars. Founded by Garrie Cooper, Elfin has a rich and successful history in Australian motorsport that continues today. |
| Bolwell | 1962 | Melbourne, VIC | Active. Nagari 500, Mk VII. | A pioneering manufacturer famous for its stylish fibreglass-bodied sports cars, particularly the classic V8-powered Nagari. The company was revived by the Bolwell brothers and now produces the modern Nagari 500 supercar. |
| Brabham Automotive | 2018 | Adelaide, SA | Active. BT62, BT63. | A high-performance track and road car manufacturer founded by David Brabham, son of F1 legend Sir Jack Brabham. The company continues the iconic Brabham legacy by producing exclusive, world-class supercars in Australia. |
| HSV (Holden Special Vehicles) | 1987 | Melbourne, VIC | Defunct (rebranded GMSV). ClubSport, GTS, Maloo. | The official performance partner of Holden for over 30 years. HSV transformed standard Commodores into high-performance muscle cars, representing the pinnacle of Australian V8 sedans and utes until Holden’s closure. |
| FPV (Ford Performance Vehicles) | 2002 | Melbourne, VIC | Defunct. GT-P, F6 Typhoon. | Ford Australia’s official performance vehicle partner, creating powerful and desirable versions of the Falcon sedan and ute. FPV was famous for its V8 and turbocharged six-cylinder engines, creating a legendary rivalry with HSV. |
| HDT Special Vehicles | 1980 | Melbourne, VIC | Revived. VC Commodore, VK Group A “Blue Meanie”. | Founded by racing legend Peter Brock to sell race-bred, modified Holden Commodores to the public. The brand became iconic in the 1980s and continues today under new ownership, servicing and enhancing classic and modern vehicles. |
| Tarrant | 1901 | Melbourne, VIC | Defunct. Tarrant. | One of Australia’s very first petrol car manufacturers. The company, founded by Harley Tarrant, built a small number of vehicles before shifting its focus to coachbuilding and importing, marking a pioneering chapter in Australian automotive history. |
| Australian Six | 1919 | Sydney, NSW | Defunct. The Australian Six. | An ambitious post-WWI attempt to build a car made almost entirely from local components. While praised for its durability, the company struggled against larger overseas competitors and folded in the mid-1920s. |
| Zeta (by Lightburn) | 1963 | Adelaide, SA | Defunct. Sedan, Sports. | A brand of budget microcars built by washing machine manufacturer Lightburn & Co. Known for its quirky fibreglass body and minimalist design, the Zeta was an unusual and commercially unsuccessful vehicle from the 1960s. |
| Hartnett | 1949 | Melbourne, VIC | Defunct. Hartnett. | A post-war project led by former Holden boss Sir Laurence Hartnett to build a small, affordable car. Plagued by production and political issues, the promising venture collapsed after only a few cars were built. |
| Buckle | 1955 | Sydney, NSW | Defunct. Coupe. | A boutique car maker founded by Bill Buckle. The company’s primary model was the Buckle Coupe, a beautiful and lightweight fibreglass-bodied sports car based on Ford Zephyr mechanicals, with around 20 ever produced. |
| Giocattolo | 1986 | Caloundra, QLD | Defunct. Group B. | A legendary, short-lived supercar manufacturer. Giocattolo famously re-engineered an Alfa Romeo Sprint by fitting it with a mid-mounted Holden V8 engine, creating one of the wildest and rarest performance cars ever made in Australia. |
| JOSS | 1998 | Melbourne, VIC | Defunct. JP1 Prototype. | An ambitious startup that aimed to create Australia’s first modern supercar. The JOSS JP1 prototype gained international attention for its impressive design and performance goals but never secured the funding required for full production. |
| Nota | 1952 | Sydney, NSW | Active. Clubman, Fang. | One of Australia’s longest-running sports car manufacturers, specializing in lightweight clubman-style cars for road and track. Nota has produced a wide range of vehicles, primarily as kits, for over 70 years. |
| PRB | 1978 | Sydney, NSW | Active. Clubman. | A well-regarded manufacturer of Lotus 7-inspired clubman sports cars. Available as both kits and fully built vehicles, PRB cars are a popular and competitive choice in club-level motorsport across Australia. |
| Devaux | 2001 | Melbourne, VIC | Active. Coupe, Spyder. | A low-volume coachbuilder creating bespoke grand tourers with stunning, retro styling. Devaux cars blend the art-deco design of 1930s French classics with a modern chassis and V8 powertrain, resulting in a unique luxury vehicle. |
| Ilinga | 1974 | Adelaide, SA | Defunct. AF-2 Prototype. | A promising prototype mid-engined sports car developed by a small team of engineers. The Ilinga AF-2 featured a futuristic wedge design and advanced engineering but ultimately failed to find the investment needed for production. |
| Tomcar Australia | 2005 | Melbourne, VIC | Active. TM-5, TM-X. | A manufacturer of extremely rugged, military-grade off-road vehicles. While the original design is from Israel, the Australian company locally manufactures and significantly engineers the vehicles for mining, agriculture, and defence applications. |
| H2X Global | 2020 | Sydney, NSW | Active. Warrego Ute. | A clean energy automotive startup focused on developing hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). Its first planned vehicle is the Warrego, a ute based on a Ford Ranger platform converted to run on hydrogen. |
| ACE EV Group | 2017 | Maryborough, QLD | Active. Cargo, Yewt. | An electric vehicle startup aiming to assemble affordable and modular commercial EVs in Australia. The company focuses on light-duty vans and utes, offering a “flat-pack” assembly model to reduce costs and environmental impact. |
| Southern Cross | 1931 | Sydney, NSW | Defunct. Southern Cross. | An automotive project linked to famed aviator Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. This Depression-era car was unconventional, featuring a wooden chassis and front-wheel drive. Very few were made before the company failed. |
| Pellandini | 1980 | Adelaide, SA | Defunct. Sports. | A brand of unique kit cars designed by Peter Pellandine. After moving from the UK to Australia, the company continued to develop small, lightweight sports cars and even experimented with innovative steam-powered vehicles. |
| Alpha Sports | 1963 | Sydney, NSW | Active. ASP 320, Brolga. | A long-standing producer of Lotus 7-style clubman sports cars. Sold as both kits and complete vehicles, Alpha Sports cars are a common sight in amateur motorsport and on enthusiast road drives. |
| Python (by Healey) | 1981 | Melbourne, VIC | Active. Coupe, Roadster. | A manufacturer specializing in high-quality replicas of the iconic AC Cobra sports car. Python provides kits and turnkey cars that faithfully recreate the classic muscle car, typically powered by modern Ford or Holden V8 engines. |
| DRB | 1979 | Gold Coast, QLD | Active. GT40, Cobra, Tadpole. | A prominent Australian replica and component car manufacturer. DRB is best known for its accurate and high-quality replicas of classic sports cars like the Ford GT40 and AC Cobra, catering to the enthusiast market. |
| Roaring Forties | 1997 | Melbourne, VIC | Active. RF GT40. | A world-renowned producer of Ford GT40 replica kits. Roaring Forties’ kits are known for their exceptional accuracy and engineering quality, allowing enthusiasts to build a faithful recreation of the legendary Le Mans-winning race car. |
| G-Force | 1986 | Gold Coast, QLD | Active. Clubman, Cobra. | A manufacturer of clubman-style sports cars and AC Cobra replicas. G-Force cars are built for performance, with a focus on providing an engaging driving experience for both the road and the racetrack. |
| Blade Electric Vehicles | 2008 | Castlemaine, VIC | Active. Electron, WRX EV. | A company that converts internal combustion engine vehicles to fully electric power. They gained fame for the Electron, based on a Hyundai Getz, and for building a high-performance electric Subaru WRX rally car. |
| Quantum | 2002 | Melbourne, VIC | Active. GP700. | A low-volume sports car maker. Its flagship model, the Quantum GP700, is an extreme, lightweight open-wheel track car with a supercharged engine, boasting a power-to-weight ratio exceeding that of a Bugatti Veyron. |
Images and Descriptions
Holden
Australia’s most iconic car brand, evolving from a saddlery to the nation’s largest automaker. For decades, Holden was a cultural touchstone, famous for its family sedans and powerful V8s before its closure by GM in 2020.
Elfin
Australia’s oldest continuous sports car maker, renowned for its lightweight, high-performance track and road cars. Founded by Garrie Cooper, Elfin has a rich and successful history in Australian motorsport that continues today.
Bolwell
A pioneering manufacturer famous for its stylish fibreglass-bodied sports cars, particularly the classic V8-powered Nagari. The company was revived by the Bolwell brothers and now produces the modern Nagari 500 supercar.
Brabham Automotive
A high-performance track and road car manufacturer founded by David Brabham, son of F1 legend Sir Jack Brabham. The company continues the iconic Brabham legacy by producing exclusive, world-class supercars in Australia.
HSV (Holden Special Vehicles)
The official performance partner of Holden for over 30 years. HSV transformed standard Commodores into high-performance muscle cars, representing the pinnacle of Australian V8 sedans and utes until Holden’s closure.
FPV (Ford Performance Vehicles)
Ford Australia’s official performance vehicle partner, creating powerful and desirable versions of the Falcon sedan and ute. FPV was famous for its V8 and turbocharged six-cylinder engines, creating a legendary rivalry with HSV.
HDT Special Vehicles
Founded by racing legend Peter Brock to sell race-bred, modified Holden Commodores to the public. The brand became iconic in the 1980s and continues today under new ownership, servicing and enhancing classic and modern vehicles.
Tarrant
One of Australia’s very first petrol car manufacturers. The company, founded by Harley Tarrant, built a small number of vehicles before shifting its focus to coachbuilding and importing, marking a pioneering chapter in Australian automotive history.
Australian Six
An ambitious post-WWI attempt to build a car made almost entirely from local components. While praised for its durability, the company struggled against larger overseas competitors and folded in the mid-1920s.
Zeta (by Lightburn)
A brand of budget microcars built by washing machine manufacturer Lightburn & Co. Known for its quirky fibreglass body and minimalist design, the Zeta was an unusual and commercially unsuccessful vehicle from the 1960s.
Hartnett
A post-war project led by former Holden boss Sir Laurence Hartnett to build a small, affordable car. Plagued by production and political issues, the promising venture collapsed after only a few cars were built.
Buckle
A boutique car maker founded by Bill Buckle. The company’s primary model was the Buckle Coupe, a beautiful and lightweight fibreglass-bodied sports car based on Ford Zephyr mechanicals, with around 20 ever produced.
Giocattolo
A legendary, short-lived supercar manufacturer. Giocattolo famously re-engineered an Alfa Romeo Sprint by fitting it with a mid-mounted Holden V8 engine, creating one of the wildest and rarest performance cars ever made in Australia.
JOSS
An ambitious startup that aimed to create Australia’s first modern supercar. The JOSS JP1 prototype gained international attention for its impressive design and performance goals but never secured the funding required for full production.
Nota
One of Australia’s longest-running sports car manufacturers, specializing in lightweight clubman-style cars for road and track. Nota has produced a wide range of vehicles, primarily as kits, for over 70 years.
PRB
A well-regarded manufacturer of Lotus 7-inspired clubman sports cars. Available as both kits and fully built vehicles, PRB cars are a popular and competitive choice in club-level motorsport across Australia.
Devaux
A low-volume coachbuilder creating bespoke grand tourers with stunning, retro styling. Devaux cars blend the art-deco design of 1930s French classics with a modern chassis and V8 powertrain, resulting in a unique luxury vehicle.
Ilinga
A promising prototype mid-engined sports car developed by a small team of engineers. The Ilinga AF-2 featured a futuristic wedge design and advanced engineering but ultimately failed to find the investment needed for production.
Tomcar Australia
A manufacturer of extremely rugged, military-grade off-road vehicles. While the original design is from Israel, the Australian company locally manufactures and significantly engineers the vehicles for mining, agriculture, and defence applications.
H2X Global
A clean energy automotive startup focused on developing hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). Its first planned vehicle is the Warrego, a ute based on a Ford Ranger platform converted to run on hydrogen.
ACE EV Group
An electric vehicle startup aiming to assemble affordable and modular commercial EVs in Australia. The company focuses on light-duty vans and utes, offering a “flat-pack” assembly model to reduce costs and environmental impact.
Southern Cross
An automotive project linked to famed aviator Sir Charles Kingsford Smith. This Depression-era car was unconventional, featuring a wooden chassis and front-wheel drive. Very few were made before the company failed.
Pellandini
A brand of unique kit cars designed by Peter Pellandine. After moving from the UK to Australia, the company continued to develop small, lightweight sports cars and even experimented with innovative steam-powered vehicles.
Alpha Sports
A long-standing producer of Lotus 7-style clubman sports cars. Sold as both kits and complete vehicles, Alpha Sports cars are a common sight in amateur motorsport and on enthusiast road drives.
Python (by Healey)
A manufacturer specializing in high-quality replicas of the iconic AC Cobra sports car. Python provides kits and turnkey cars that faithfully recreate the classic muscle car, typically powered by modern Ford or Holden V8 engines.
DRB
A prominent Australian replica and component car manufacturer. DRB is best known for its accurate and high-quality replicas of classic sports cars like the Ford GT40 and AC Cobra, catering to the enthusiast market.
Roaring Forties
A world-renowned producer of Ford GT40 replica kits. Roaring Forties’ kits are known for their exceptional accuracy and engineering quality, allowing enthusiasts to build a faithful recreation of the legendary Le Mans-winning race car.
G-Force
A manufacturer of clubman-style sports cars and AC Cobra replicas. G-Force cars are built for performance, with a focus on providing an engaging driving experience for both the road and the racetrack.
Blade Electric Vehicles
A company that converts internal combustion engine vehicles to fully electric power. They gained fame for the Electron, based on a Hyundai Getz, and for building a high-performance electric Subaru WRX rally car.
Quantum
A low-volume sports car maker. Its flagship model, the Quantum GP700, is an extreme, lightweight open-wheel track car with a supercharged engine, boasting a power-to-weight ratio exceeding that of a Bugatti Veyron.
