Azaria car goes to national museum

The National Museum has acquired the Holden Torana at the centre of investigations into the disappearance of Azaria Chamberlain, taken by a dingo in 1980.

A 1977 yellow hatchback V8 Holden Torana owned by the Chamberlains

The National Museum has acquired the car at the centre of the Azaria Chamberlain investigation. (AAP)

No car is as rich in Australian social and legal history as a yellow V8 1977 Holden Torana.

It was the car in which Michael and Lindy Chamberlain and their children, Aidan and Reagan and baby Azaria, ventured to Uluru, then known as Ayers Rock, in August 1980.

It was also the car in which a police scientific expert found "indisputable" forensic evidence that Azaria was not taken by a dingo but murdered by her mother.

As a result, Lindy served three years in jail.

A royal commission eventually found the key scientific evidence was wrong - what was thought to be baby's blood was really a spray of bitumen, sound deadener, spilled milkshake and copper dust.

Now that car is going to the National Museum of Australia in Canberra.

Michael Chamberlain describes the initial evidence as one of the worst perversions of forensic science in Australian history, and the car represents "this gross injustice".

"It also symbolises freedom as a result of the proper and independent revision of forensic science, which eventually saw Lindy exonerated," he said in a statement.

Despite its part in the couple's extensive tribulation, Dr Chamberlain still loves the car and parted with it in sorrow.

He takes comfort from knowing the museum will take better care of the vehicle than he can.

"It will survive not just as an example of a total forensics failure but ultimately as a symbol of the triumph of Australian justice," he said.

Senior curator Sophie Jensen said the car was an important addition to the museum's collection which would help future generations understand an important and tragic episode in Australian legal history.

The dismantled car was held by Northern Territory authorities until 1990 when it was returned to Dr Chamberlain who restored it to its former state.

The museum acquisition also includes his Bible, the running shoes worn at Ayers Rock, clothing and photographs.


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