REPORT - EARLY HOLDEN DISPLAY, SOUTH AUSTRALIA - JUST CARS

REPORT - Early Holden display, South Australia

Words: Mike Ryan

Photos: Don Loffler

REPORT - Early Holden display, South Australia

Regular followers of JUST CARS will know Don Loffler as the man behind a series of popular books on early Holdens and Australian automotive history (She’s a Beauty, The FJ Holden, Still Holden Together, Cars We Used to Drive, etc.). What you may not know is that Don’s also a member of the 48-FJ Holden Club of SA Inc.

Earlier this year, Don co-ordinated a series of displays from his club and others for a special exhibition of Holden history at the State Library of South Australia that’s closing soon.

Titled ‘Rear Vision: The Holden Collection’, the exhibition draws upon the vast GM-H archive held by the State Library to present the remarkable story of Australia’s own carmaker, its legacy and impact upon the social fabric of South Australia.

“Holden has a rich and proud history in South Australia, having shaped our manufacturing and automotive industries, and built a community that is truly part of the fabric of our state,” said State Library of South Australia Director, Megan Berghuis.

The exhibition, which runs from 28 February to 22 June, features original photographs and drawings, promotional films and advertisements, examples of the first and last Holden engines manufactured locally, recordings of personal recollections from GM-H workers, a VE Commodore design model and one of the original bronze Holden lions that graced the entrance to GM-H’s Elizabeth plant.

Additionally, a virtual reality experience allows visitors to feel what life was like on the assembly line at Elizabeth, while talks by authors, historians, researchers and specialists in classic Holdens over the course of the exhibition period have provided further insight.

“It has been a huge effort by our archival and exhibitions teams, working closely with the Holden Manufacturing Heritage Association at Elizabeth, to create this exhibition, curating a selection of unique and fascinating artefacts, drawings, images and resources from our extensive archives to share the story of this much-loved brand,” Berghuis added

48-215, FJ and more in the outdoors

While Rear Vision wasn’t a car show, a rotating display of classic Holdens was held outside the State Library to promote the exhibition in its opening months. This is where Don got involved.

“Following discussions with members of the State Library staff, I organised four displays of different Holden clubs’ vehicles on four Saturdays in March and April,” Don explained.

Each display was made up of ten vehicles, with Don’s 48-FJ Holden Club of SA Inc. first off the rank on 1 March. The Monaro Car Club of SA Inc. followed, then the FX-HZ Holden Car Club of SA Inc., in mid-April. The Commodore & Classic Holden Enthusiasts Inc. club provided the fourth and final outdoor display.

To say the displays were well received is an understatement, and while we may be a little biased, the selection from the 48-FJ Holden Club of SA Inc. appeared particularly popular. The display by Don’s club was noteworthy for presenting examples of the FJ panel van – a bodystyle produced in relatively small numbers, with very few survivors today – that was highlighted by a PMG postal vehicle.