Pictured: 2005 Holden EFIJY
The History Trust of South Australia’s National Motor Museum is today unveiling a new exhibition, showcasing some of Holden’s finest and most important machines, never before seen under one roof!
Holden Heroes: 1948 to 2017 a retrospective is an exhibition of 18 of the most special vehicles from Holden’s Heritage Collection on display at the National Motor Museum in Birdwood, South Australia.
On display will be the amazing Hurricane (1969); the unique Torana GTR-X (1970) and the fantastic and brave design of the EFIJY (2005) . There is also the Number One Holden (1948) and the very last Australian made Holden, a VF Commodore Series II SS Redline (2017) as well as the significant ‘millionth’ vehicles produced by Holden.
Minister for Education John Gardner MP said, “This is a unique opportunity for visitors to see this amazing collection all in the same place and all at the same time.”
“We are even more proud that they are here in South Australia, the spiritual home of Holden, where the business was established in 1856. Australians will have the opportunity to see these vehicles, many of which are truly a wondrous sight to behold.”
The National Motor Museum has partnered with General Motors to exhibit some of Australia’s most significant motoring history.
History Trust of South Australia’s CE Greg Mackie OAM said, “The retirement of Holden manufacturing sent ripples of sadness through many parts of Australian life. As we absorbed the announcements of Holden’s manufacturing, design, engineering and sales closures, we feared for the cultural loss of this Australian icon.”
“Some of these fears are now laid to rest, as we see General Motors is committed to ensuring that these significant vehicles stay in Australia and are on display to the public as a collection for the first time,” said Mackie.
General Motors Australia & New Zealand Managing Director Marc Ebolo continued, “Holden thanks the National Motor Museum for helping us display this significant group of our heritage collection all together for the first time. The exhibition is a trip down memory lane for some of the finest production and concept cars Holden has made, all proudly in Australia.”
“South Australia is a special place for Holden, being where James Alexander Holden established his saddlery business on King William Street, Adelaide. His business grew and was passed down through the Holden family, to a time when it made motor vehicle bodies and merged with General Motors in 1931,” said Mr Ebolo.
National Motor Museum Director, Paul Rees said, “In 1948, Prime Minister Ben Chifley launched the first fully Australian-made car, the Holden 48/215, proclaiming ‘she’s a beauty!’. There were soon Holden car factories and sales outlets all over Australia and at the pinnacle was Holden’s world-class manufacturing plant at Elizabeth. It was at Elizabeth that the last Australian-made Holden was built in 2017. Both these Australian icons are now on public display – together for the first time, at the National Motor Museum in the Adelaide Hills township of Birdwood.”
Holden has a wider collection of historic and contemporary vehicles and engines which will be displayed in other museums at Trafalgar (Vic), Echuca (Vic), Winton (Vic), Shepparton (Vic), Mildura (Vic), Maffra (Vic), Bathurst (NSW), Whiteman Park (WA) and Elizabeth (SA) as well as arrangements with other Australian institutions for the wide range of materials other than vehicles that are part of Holden and now Australia’s history.
In a special unveiling to the public, the Minister for Education will launch the exhibition on Saturday 12 December at 11.30 am.
Vehicles in Holden Heroes: 1948 to 2017 a retrospective:
Milestone vehicles:
1948 Holden 48-215 Sedan (First Saleable Holden)
1963 Holden EJ Sedan Premier (1 Millionth)
1968 Holden HK Brougham (2 Millionth
1981 Holden VC Commodore SL/E Sedan (4 Millionth)
2001 Holden VX Commodore SS (6 Millionth)
2008 Holden VE Commodore Sedan (7 Millionth)
2017 Holden VF Commodore Series II SS Redline (Last locally Manufactured Holden)
Concept vehicles:
1969 Holden Hurricane
1971 Holden Torana GTR-X
1998 Holden Concept Monaro
2000 Holden Utester
2000 Holden Sandman Van
2002 Marilyn Convertible Monaro
2002 HRT427; 2003 Holden SSX
2003 Holden Torana TT36
2005 Holden EFIJY
2008 Holden Coupe 60
DETAILS
Holden Heroes: 1948 to 2017 a retrospective kicks off from today at the National Motor Museum in Shannon St, Birdwood.
The Museum is open daily 10am – 5pm.
Entry prices to the museum are:
Adult: $17.50
Concession: $14.50
Children: $7.50
(children under 5 free)
Family: $41.00
(2 adults, up to 6 children)
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