Descendants of Kapunda’s Henry Dutton junior were on hand on Monday afternoon to view the Talbot vehicle he used to travel from Adelaide to Darwin in 1908.

His granddaughter Leonie Matheson, of Adelaide, said she was impressed with her grandfather (also known as Harry) and his passenger Murray Aunger who travelled along rocky paths, making them the first to cross the Australian continent from south to north.

The vehicle, which rolled into Anlaby Station, near Kapunda, is the centrepiece of the National Motor Museum’s centenary celebrations, ‘off the beaten track’.

The official launch took place at the History Trust of South Australia, Adelaide office and was followed by an entourage of other historic vehicles.

The Talbot was on show at Anlaby to invited guests with other memorabilia of Aboriginal artifacts found along the route the vehicle originally took.

Also, a children’s book written by Geoffrey Dutton, Harry’s son, about a girl trying to find her lost yabby was shown for highlighting the Talbot vehicle.

It was June 1908, when Harry and Murray left Adelaide for Darwin in the Talbot.

Harry had tried the same journey in November, 1907, but the heat of summer and later heavy rains prevented the Angelina vehicle from completing the journey.

The Talbot was the first self-propelled vehicle ever seen by many people in remote regions.

Kapunda also became home of celebrations for the vehicle yesterday with people joining to view a parade of both veteran and vintage cars in the morning and later organised events at Dutton Park.

The travelling exhibition will tour until August 20, visiting 23 towns and visiting students at 21 schools, and finish at Darwin.

People who want to follow the exhibition can visit the blog at www.history.sa.gov.au on the internet.