Donald James Harkness, pioneer in the Australian automotive and aeronautical industries, racing driver and record breaker, was born in Leichhardt, NSW in December 1898. On leaving school he became an apprentice in general engineering. At the age of 20 he secured employment at J.C. Hillier’s garage at Drummoyne and in 1922 the partnership of Harkness & Hillier Pty Ltd was formed.
Harkness developed an interest in motor racing and in 1924 he imported an Overland chassis which he modified extensively. In this car (christened “Whitey”) Harkness won about 50 events at the Penrith and Maroubra tracks and at Gerringong’s Seven Mile Beach during 1925.
An offer of a £50 trophy by the Daily Guardian for the first person in Australia to break 100 m.p.h. for a measured mile, prompted Harkness to build a new car using a Minerva chassis and a Hispano Suiza aero engine. He won the trophy attaining 108 m.p.h. at Gerringong on 17 October 1925.
Don Harkness at wheel in RAC hill climb, Royal National Park, 1926
The 100,000th Willys-Overland exported car, outside Overland Sydney Ltd office, 1920 – 1929
Horse and cart on wharf with crate containing the 100,000th Willys-Overland exported car, 1920 – 1929
Dave Carrigan at wheel of a Willys Knight car, 1926
Overland car being driven down steps of Sydney Town Hall, 1920 – 1929
Cars at the end of 1,000 mile rally organised by the Overland company, 1927
Launch of car F.H. Stewart Enterprise, 1926 – 1936
13 Sir Malcolm Campbell at the wheel of the Bluebird, with crowd, 1926 – 1936
Anzac car [with Harkness & Hillier staff at Five Dock], 1928 – 1929
Don Harkness at the wheel of his Overland Sports car Whitey at 10 Mile Championships, 1920 – 1929
Don Harkness archive re motor racing and aeronautics
Men inspecting the frame of the car F.H. Stewart Enterprise, 1926 – 1936
Don Harkness and unidentifed man with hydroglider engine, 1923 – 1933
Men inspecting the car F.H. Stewart Enterprise, 1926 – 1936
Men on beach with Anzac car
Group inspecting the car F.H. Stewart Enterprise
Don Harkness at the wheel of his Overland Sports car Whitey
Don Harkness at the wheel of modified Overland car at race meeting
Man seated in a modified Overland racing car surrounded by crowd
Don Harkness at wheel of Overland 6 after setting Australasian 24 hour record
Group and a cat inspecting the car F.H. Stewart Enterprise
Anzac car [with Harkness & Hillier staff at Five Dock]
Group inspecting the car F.H. Stewart Enterprise
via Powerhouse Museum Collection
