REPORT - 2025 Geelong All Holden Day

Words & Photos: Mike Ryan

We all know that Geelong was the birthplace of Ford Australia, and the hub for local manufacturing operations until the end of the 1950s, but Geelong isn’t just a Ford town. There’s plenty of passion for Holden, too. This past October, that passion was demonstrated at the Geelong All Holden Day.

An annual attraction on Geelong's automotive event calendar for 15 years, the Geelong All Holden Day was last held in 2019. Like many events, the show struggled to get up and running again after COVID, but thanks to the efforts of the Geelong FX-HZ Holden Car Club, it made a long awaited and very welcome return in 2025.

Held on 25 October in the grounds of the Geelong Baptist College in Lovely Banks, the first Geelong All Holden Day in six years showed the hunger for an all-Holden show in the home of Ford. More than 450 cars attended, coming from the local region, Melbourne, rural Victoria and even interstate.

Covering the full gamut of Holden production, there were 48-215 and VF sedans on show, along with just about every model in between, plus Toranas, Monaros, utes and panel vans. HDT and HSV were well represented, too.

The Radical and the Rare

With more than 450 cars on display, rare and unusual Holdens were guaranteed. These included some of the mild customs you’d expect, but also some more extreme builds and one-offs.

One of the standouts in this space was a 48-215 sedan that had been converted into a station wagon and was hauling a period-correct caravan. This custom-built wagon was in the style of those created by S.H. Cordell in the 1950s.

An EH panel van with XW Falcon tail lights, a supercharged V6 and full custom interior attracted attention, as did some slick One Tonners. A VE Commodore two-door conversion that’s been a familiar sight at car shows in Geelong for more than a decade continues to be admired, while an FJ two-door with a roof chop, custom lights and a full custom interior caused more than a few double takes.  

For something completely different, there was an HD ute that had been transplanted onto a Toyota HiLux chassis, but for sheer impact, it was hard to go past an EJ panel van that was comprehensively modified from nose to tail. Along with some bespoke bodywork additions, this EJ featured parts from EH, HR, Torana, Commodore, Gemini and Statesman, as well as Mitsubishi Sigma and Toyota Celica. Built over a period of three years in the 1980s, this panel van was displayed here, sent to the USA in the 1990s, then came back to Australia in 2024.

Contrasting these custom builds, there were just as many factory-authentic restorations and untouched survivors, too.

Supporters and Support

A total of nine trophies were presented on the day, with some chosen by event sponsors, Rare Spares, Shannons Insurance, Barwon Tyre & Auto, Repco and Meguiar’s Australia, and others decided by public vote. Winners included a late-model HSV Senator, the aforementioned custom EJ panel van, a VS ute, HK Monaro, HZ Premier and FE panel van.

The Geelong All Holden Day also served as a fundraiser for local charity, The Outpost. Feeding those in need in the City of Greater Geelong, The Outpost also offers resources, support services and a safe space for those doing it tough. The generosity of attendees at the Geelong All Holden Day  allowed the Geelong FX-HZ Holden Car Club to donate $5,000 to The Outpost.

Bigger in 2026

Given its successful return in 2025, the Geelong All Holden Day will go bigger in 2026. This year’s event will once again be held at the Geelong Baptist College, with a date that’s likely to be in late October, but was still TBC at time of writing. Follow the Geelong FX-HZ Holden Club on Facebook, or check the JUST CARS event listings for details on the next Geelong All Holden Day.

Thanks to the Geelong FX-HZ Holden Car Club Inc. for assistance in compiling this article.