The event, which got underway on Friday, was open to all cars produced by firms with a connection to Nuffield including Morris, MG, Wolseley, Riley and most BMC Leyland vehicles.

About 170 cars from 132 locations across Australia were be on display, from each State and Territory, said John Inshaw, event co-ordinator of the Morris 100 Canberra Celebration and Tour.

The oldest cars taking part were built in 1914, and on display was be the largest assembly ever seen at any historic car display in Australia of ‘bullnoses’, so-called because of their characteristic rounded radiator.

The youngest vehicles were two 1979 MGBs. The world’s oldest original MG still in use today, built in 1925, was also taking part in the event.

Participants came to Canberra from Perth and as far north as Mission Beach in Queensland.

Morris 100 is one of 51 community-based projects funded through the Community Centenary Initiatives Fund. The fund has allocated more than $1m to community projects after receiving a wide range of ideas from the community and assessment by an independent panel. The community projects span the arts, sport, craft, culture, youth, disability and community sectors.

A special Centenary drive was held yesterday, with cars travelling from the Australian War Memorial followed a 100kms route of Canberra’s main sites and attractions.

Today, the cars are taking part in the “Battle of the Sites” tours, with two separate runs to towns that were in the running to be the Australian capital before the selection of Canberra visiting Yass, Binalong, Cowra, Orange, Bombala, Tumut and Dalgety en route from Canberra to their home destination.

Full event details at morris100.org.au.