2018 NSW All Holden Day
Now in its 33rd year, the annual NSW All Holden Day (AHD) is a permanent entry in most East Coast Holden fans' event calendars. The show is about as regular a part of Holden lovers' lives as car shows with larger marquees, like the Summernats and MotorEx. AHD may be humble, but it's huge!
Clubs, Swaps and Fans aplenty No less than 64 Holden-centric car clubs displayed vehicles at the show this year – held on the first weekend in August. In fact, most of the display space available at Hawkesbury Showground in Clarendon was taken up with car clubs. What's left is open to individual owners and groups of car owners who might be parking up together but not in registered clubs.
As has happened over the last few years, AHD organisers had to close down the entry page on their website over a month early, with the 800-capacity list completely filled by mid-June. It's been a long time since you could simply show up on the day and hope to get your car in.
For spectators, you'll be guaranteed of rubbing shoulders with thousands of other Lion-loving punters by about 10am. Indeed, if you come with camera in hand, you'll find it increasingly difficult to get a clear shot of your favourite cars once the sun is high in the sky. And this year was no exception – tons of gorgeous Holdens and even more eager people hoping to get up close and personal with them all.
If the mass of bodies gets too much for you, you can always try your luck in the adjoining swap meet at the southern end of the showground that runs over both the Saturday and Sunday and seems almost as large as the show and shine. And if you thought there seemed like no end to the amazing barn find cars around these days, the amount and quality of spares surfacing at swap meets like the one at AHD has to be seen!
Favourites and Rarities Early Holdens were the favourite on the field again this year, with the majority of models on show falling between the 48-215 and VK Commodore range. Interestingly, second-generation Commodores (VN-VS) were perhaps the least well represented, despite being big sellers in their day.
More obvious omissions were all those Holden models imported from other GM nations or those released under partnerships with brands like Toyota and Isuzu. As far as we can surmise, the limited number of Geminis on show is probably down to their popularity as first cars (i.e. being written off) and victims of wave after wave of now-unfashionable modifications that left them practically written off in the end.
Same Same, but Great all the Same If there is any criticism to be levelled at the NSW AHD at all, it's that the format hasn't really changed in at least the last 15 years. Despite the growth and enduring appeal for entrants and spectators alike, you can almost be guaranteed that you're going to experience the same activities year on year. That means similar trade stands, the same band, similar food vendors, dealer displays and the same fire and rescue demonstration
Having said all that, what does it matter when you have 800 quality Holdens on show that can take a solid four or five hours to walk around? And people like consistency in their lives, right?
Overall, the 2018 NSW All Holden Day was another resounding success. The late Winter sun shone brightly over all those in attendance and it didn't matter if you were a fan of early Holdens or late model Commodores – everyone was well catered to. Be sure to pencil the first weekend in August 2019 in your diary for the 34th annual event.
Words and Photos: hoskingindustries.com.au
