ABOUT 140 — that’s how many Holdens John Dodoro estimates he’s had during his 32-year driving career.
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Most of those were in various stages of dilapidation until given a new lease of life by the mad keen Holden enthusiast.
He presently owns about a dozen in various stages of restoration.
Tomorrow he will display his latest project — a cinnamon brown, arctic white-roofed 1971 HQ Kingswood — at the South West Holden Car Club’s show ’n’ shine.
Most of his restorations are labours of love, part of his “crazy hobby” that has taken over a large shed of his business.
It is there he ventures after he knocks off from work to enjoy what he calls “stressful relaxation”.
He joked that his Holden restorations had got more stressful as he got older because he forgot more often where he put the numerous “bits and pieces”.
His passion for reviving old Holdens gained new drive following the company’s announcement last year that it will cease making vehicles in Australia by the end of 2017 — bringing 65 years of building cars in Australia to an end.
Mr Dodoro said his restorations would keep “Australian history on the road” for years to come.
He bought his latest project, the 1971 Kingswood, on eBay for about $700 from a vendor in NSW and has spent about 10 years restoring it.
Mr Dodoro said his past three years of membership of the South West Holden Car Club had been a great motivator for him.
Its members will put about 100 of their pride and joys on display at the show ’n’ shine from 10am at Lake Pertobe.
Among them will be the 60th anniversary Monte Carlo Rally FX sedan that was driven in last year’s historic European rally.
Entry is by gold coin donation with proceeds to Peter’s Project.