The Holden Kingswood 253 V8 Trimatic saloon is still decorated with Games livery and the special number plate it bore and is part of the Stewarts Classic Car Collection in Christchurch.

Elsewhere volunteers have put out a call for memorabilia related to the Games, which were held from January 24 to February 2 1974.

"We've got cups, we've got tea towels, teaspoons, medals, you name it, if it's related to the Commonwealth Games, we've got it," New Brighton & District Historical Society and Museum President Wayne Hawker told the Star News Canterbury.

The 1974 edition was the last to be known as the British Commonwealth Games.

The main venue was the QEII Stadium in Christchurch, named after the late Queen Elizabeth II, then patron of the Commonwealth Games Federation.

It was in Christchurch that the Queen was said to be made late for an appointment after she was delayed watching Precious McKenzie win his third consecutive gold medal in weightlifting.

"It's significant given the location of QEII was within the community of the Greater New Brighton region, so we think it's only right that the museum has the distinction of holding such a display," Hawker added.

The Games were remembered for an epic men’s final in the 1500 metres, when Filbert Bayi of Tanzania set a world record of 3min 32.16sec to defeat New Zealand’s John Walker.

The runners who finished third, fourth and fifth also ran the fourth, fifth and seventh fastest 1500m times yet run and five national records were broken.

The museum expects to exhibit a section of the synthetic track on which the race took place.

 Jamaica's Don Quarrie was among other stars on the track after winning both the 100m and 200m.

New Zealand did have gold to celebrate when Dick Tayler came home to win the men’s 10,000m.

"One of my big memories of the Commonwealth Games was watching Dick Tayler winning the 10,000 metres and that piece of track that we now have, Dick Tayler was running along on that track," Hawker recalled.

Many of the 1,200 athletes burst onto the field to accompany the Queen and Prince Philip as they left the Closing Ceremony in an open top jeep.

The museum is hoping to open their exhibition around January 13 2024.

They are keen to coordinate with official functions to commemorate the 50th anniversary organised at Christchurch's Te Pae Convention Centre and Town Hall.