This field covers technologies designed specifically for the general conveyance of people or freight through the use of motorized vehicles. It includes the following areas:

• commercial vehicles and fire fighting vehicles
• motorcycles
• public transit vehicles
• automobiles
• motor vehicle service industry
• accessories
• recreational vehicles

The Museum is fortunate to have assembled one of the largest public collections of motorized vehicles and associated materials in Canada. In keeping with our mandate, the collection emphasizes the Canadian contributions to the development of the technology and the Canadian experience in the field of motorized ground transport. The collection covers from 1867, when the first car was constructed in Canada, to automobile engines produced in 1995. The collection preserves representative, as opposed to unique, examples of motor vehicle technology.

The automobile collection is a particularly rich resource. It contains over 100 vehicles that chronicle the development of motor vehicle industry in Canada and the growing importance of the motor vehicle as a status symbol and transportation device during the twentieth century. Vehicles such as the C.1903 Le Roy, 1927 McLaughlin-Buick, and 1971 Manic are some examples of the Candian-built vehicles in the collection.

Apart from vehicles, the Museum collects materials relevant to the infrastructure that supports motor vehicle use in Canada. Road construction technology, mechanical engineering, motor vehicle manufacturing are a few of the areas where the Museum has collected artifacts and documentary materials.

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