Holden history to roll into town

TWO early models of an Australian automobile icon will go on display later this month as part of an annual regular state showcase.

Last held in Ballarat about five years ago, the 44th annual FX and FJ Holden Show and Shine is set to return to the region, organised by members of the Ballarat and District Early Holden Car Club.

The event’s entry and promotions officer Scott Campbell said it will showcase an important in Australia’s automobile history.

“They were effectively the first state Holdens,” he said. “FX was the first and the FJ was an updated model of the same body shape.

“It was the first Australian-made car and virtually Australia’s own. There’s been an early Holden federation that includes these two models for going on 40 years.

“We’ve got about eight classes ranging from stock FX and FJ to radical customs.”

More than 100 models are expected to be included in the event each of which will be judged by three local auto representatives as part of the state titles.

Members of the Ballarat and District Early Holden Car Club will also showcase a separate all-models show and shine featuring about 30 cars.

From 2pm, friendly games such as wheel changing and hubcap tossing will be played between local and visiting Early Holden Car Clubs members while trade stalls will also be available.

The Victorian FX FJ State Titles event is held every year at a different Early Holden club while the nationals event takes place every two years.

Mr Campbell attended his first state titles show and shine in Bacchus Marsh in 1990, and will soon showcase five of his vehicles in the Ballarat show.

He said he enjoys the camaraderie of the event the most.

“It’s a once-a-year thing where you can catch up with likeminded people,” he said.

“It’s virtually a big family and a good chance for people to catch up and we often have people from Canberra and New South Wales enter as well.

“For those that enter, there’s something different every year.”

Entry will cost a gold coin donation, with funds raised from the event to go towards the Fiona Elsey Cancer Research Institute.

The show and shine will be held on Sunday 29 October from 10am to 3pm near the Ballarat Tramway Museum near Carlton and Gillies streets.