South-west Holden lovers charged up for charity show

SOUTH-WEST Holden lovers are intrigued. Will the new electric cars have the same allure of the Holdens of the past?

The Western Victoria Holden Car Club recognises the car company has reached a milestone with the release this year of the new electric Holden Volt and will highlight the new model in its second Holden show ’n’ shine event at Lake Pertobe on Saturday, March 23.

However club president Peter Dunn said many members loved the V8 and V6 muscle cars that Holden had produced and wondered whether its cars of the future would have the same feel.

He said Holden lovers enjoyed a challenge and looked forward to seeing how the company’s automotive designers handled the challenges of creating the more environmentally-friendly cars of the future.

Western Victoria Holden Car Club members and others passionate about their Holdens will put their pride and joys on display at the show ’n’ shine that will raise money for Peter’s Project.

The event follows on from a show ’n’ shine the club ran last year to celebrate its 21st anniversary.

Mr Dunn said last year’s event was very successful and the club decided to stage another this year following requests for it to do so.

The event will feature gems such as Rob Lee’s 1948 Holden FX, one of the first Holdens produced.

Mr Lee said he bought the restored car about eight years ago and it made him smile every time he drove it.

He took it on the  club’s cruise on the Corangamite Food tour last Sunday and enjoyed it, despite the car not having airconditioning on a hot day.

Mr Lee and fellow club member Kryil Dean both work at Warrnambool Holden dealer Callaghan Motors and said people still identified well with Holdens as the Australian car.

Mr Dunn said Holdens were part of the Australian identity. “It (Holden) is ours,” he said.

The club’s March 23 show ’n’ shine is open to anyone wanting to display a Holden regardless of its age and condition, Mr Dunn said.

ehimmelreich@fairfaxmedia.com.au