Nostalgia in the driver’s seat at Torquay foreshore

CHROME, curves and a touch of nostalgia will roll on down to the Torquay foreshore this weekend as early Holden FX and FJs line up for a show and shine.

The FX, manufactured between 1948 and 1953, was the first model in Australia to bear the Holden name. The FJ, with its distinctive chrome grille with vertical bars, followed. It was manufactured until 1956.

This weekend’s event, to be held on Sunday, October 5 between 10am and 3pm, forms part of the FX-FJ Holden State Titles, an annual competition run by the Melbourne chapter of the FX-FJ Holden Club of Australia.

Club member Bruce Turner, who is well-known in Torquay for his efforts organising the Torquay Motor Show each year, said about 60 early-model Holdens will grace Elephant’s Walk for the show and shine.

“They range from cars that have been restored to original, through to quite highly modified vehicles,” he said.

It marks the first time the event, which is now in its 46th year, has been hosted by Torquay.

“A couple of the organisers had been down to our local show, and they loved the layout and the chance of having it in that setting,” Mr Turner explained.

 

 

He encouraged all motoring enthusiasts, and those who have history with these early-model Holden vehicles, to come down on the weekend and have a look.

Entry for spectators will be free throughout the day.

“It’s a good opportunity to come and see examples of the first Holdens that were on our roads. Obviously, there’s less and less of them now, and unfortunately, now that Holden doesn’t exist, they’re not going to see any new ones either,” Mr Turner said.

“My father, his first car was one of the FJs. A lot of people have a bit of history with this particular model – you always find people happy to talk to you about it.

Entry into the state titles is restricted to members of Australian Early Holden Federation affiliated clubs, but a dedicated display area will be open to all vehicles of interest on the day.

All funds raised from the event will support The Man Cave, a preventative mental health organisation focused on providing programs and positive role models to boys and young men.