Hartnett

Friday, June 28, 2024

Hartnett

Hartnett Motor Company of Melbourne, Victoria operated from 1949 until 1955. Laurence (Larry) J Hartnett was the Managing Director of General Motors - Holden, prior to creating Hartnett Motor Company of Melbourne, Victoria. Hartnett wanted to produce a low-cost, Australian-made car and turned to Frenchman Jean-Albert Gregoire for the design. Gregoire produced prototype for an AFG (Aluminum Francais Gregoire), Panhard and Simca, also considered was the British Member of Parliament, Denis Kendall's "Kendall" made by Grantham Productions.

Hartnett models included the Tasman (sedan); Station wagon; Pacific (soft-top tourer) with production starting in 1951.

The Deliverette was a van designed by Hartnett (with no seat) and was built by Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation.

During the war Laurence Hartnett was also worked for the Directorate of Inventions for the Australian Army, which helped to gain him a knighthood.

Also part of the Ivan Hoffmann Collection, but not appearing here are over 1000 images/files being copies of articles; web files; photos; images; reports; prospectuses; references; tests; Hartnett booklet; citations; Hansard; flying car; Hartnett at Holden; contract; correspondence; Australian Archives files MP 959/34 239/480/331 & MP 394/1 5/81/141 & MP 393/1 5/81/24 materials: University of Melbourne Archives; information on Laurence (Larry) Hartnett and Jean-Albert Gregoire and Denis Kendall; Hotchkiss car etc.

Also see Lloyd-Hartnett (Harnett's Australian production of the German Lloyd automobile).