Sport
24 February, 2022
Historic Holdens hit Terang streets
TERANG looked like a setting from a 1950s film over the weekend when a collection of early model Holden vehicles lined the streets.
TERANG looked like a setting from a 1950s film over the weekend when a collection of early model Holden vehicles lined the streets.
The cars belonged to members from FX-FJ Holden Club of Australia’s Melbourne chapter and the Early Model Holden Club Victoria, who visited for a weekend away to support regional Victoria.
The group of 36, who are predominantly based in Melbourne, travelled to town with a collection of 18 iconic Holdens.
FX-FJ Holden Club of Australia’s Melbourne Chapter president Peter Paproth said the trip to the south west was part of the club’s monthly run, and provided an opportunity to enjoy a piece of Australian history before it vanishes.
“We had the opportunity to come to Terang and park some cars in the Christians dealership,” he said.
“We’re obviously all Holden fans and since Holden closed, all the dealerships are starting to lose their signage.
“The opportunity to come along to a Holden dealership, which still has its signs up, and park the cars was too good to pass up.”
Mr Paproth said the club brought with it a unique collection of vehicles which date back more than 70 years.
“These are FX-FJ Holdens starting from September 1949 right through to one of the final Holdens to roll off the assembly line in October 2017,” he said.
“The old cars are FX and FJ. The earlier models are unofficially known as an FX. The true name for an FX Holden was actually a 48215, but got nicknamed the FX.
“When the FJ came out in 1953, it was the first model to actually have an official designation of a model name.
“Some are modified while some are original. One is wearing its original colour and paint, straight out of the factory, from 1950.”
Mr Paproth said part of the desire to head to the south west was to support country towns, which have felt the economic pinch of the COVID-19 pandemic without tourist flowthrough.
“When the opportunity came up, we thought it would be great to support Terang and throw a bit of money in to the town,” he said.
“We booked out both hotels in Terang, all 36 of us are going to dinner at the Wheatsheaf Hotel and we’ll all break off to have a bit of a tour around the area.
“We’re just trying to put a bit of money back in to small towns.”
Mr Paproth said a growing crowd of curious locals and wide-eyed passersby was a highlight for club members.
“We’re a social club with a common interest in cars, we’re all good friends and seeing people enjoying the cars is something we love,” he said.
“We’re all responsible, we’re too old to be hooning and there is too much money tied up in some of these cars, so having people come up to get a closer look is a real buzz.
“Even people who are not in to cars will come up and mention how their dad or grandad used to drive one of those, so we really enjoy it.”
