This year’s Tour Classica drive to the Motorclassica show began at the Alexandra Gardens by the boat sheds alongside the Yarra River, just south of the central Melbourne (Australia) city. From here the cars would cover approximately 5 km/3 miles to the Royal Exhibition Building. Luckily I was in the area and was able to stop by to see the cars before they left, because there were some pretty remarkable sights.
You probably spotted this car in the first photo, and either thought “what is that?” or “that’s the Holden Efijy show car from 2005”. This is a very appropriate car for Motorclassica to celebrate 100 years of Holden car body building as well as the end of local production.
But before getting too far ahead of myself, behind the Efijy was a yet another iconic Holden – the 1976 HX model Sandman panelvan with its bold graphics; not seen here is the Sandman script running the full width of the tailgate. Immaculate stock-standard restorations of these vans are a relatively recent phenomenon, and there are some beautifully-done vehicles such as this one.
Next, this 1969 LC model Torana GTR which marked Holden’s entry into the youth sporty-car market with a much more affordable car than the previous Monaro. The engine was a 161 (2.6L) inline six with a few production-friendly modifications including upgraded camshaft, exhaust and 2-barrel carburettor. Not a bad little package.
I did a feature on the HX model LE coupe a little while ago, and here is another one. I will intersperse some of the static shots with photos of cars as they left the area to head for the Swan Street bridge crossing the Yarra.
Behind that was its predecessor, a 1973 HQ model Monaro GTS. This one has the smaller 253 V8 (4.2L) and champagne gold metallic paint.
This 1965 HD Premier is an incredibly-preserved example with just 13,000 miles on the clock – it still has the original tyres! It normally lives in a museum, so it was great to see it out on the road.
Still more Holdens; a 1968 HK Premier and 1961 EK Special. The EK was the first Holden with an automatic transmission (which this car has), while the HK model saw the Holden grow to match the second-generation Falcon launched 18 months earlier.
There were a pair of FJ Holdens next, and on this ute you can see where the front of the Efijy came from – it even looks like they used a standard badge.
The second car was a station wagon, just one of 6 built by a body-builder because Holden was flat-out building their existing three body styles – during the sub-3 year run of the FJ annual production increased 43%. The wagon would have to wait for the next model, the FC in 1956.
Next we have a Holden-bodied 1932 Chevrolet, but an extremely rare one, as just a few of these “Moonlight Speedster” bodies were built during the depression years at Holden’s Woodville factory and sent to each of the state capital assembly plants to be put onto imported chassis.
This car is one of two prototype Holdens built in Australia in 1947, and has 5 owners since it was sold by Holden in 1951. Next to the car is the judge’s box at the finish line of the 2 kilometre rowing course on the Yarra River.
A group shot next, to speed things along; a 1965 Mercedes-Benz 230SL and 1967 Citroen DS21.
This 1958 Mercedes-Benz 220S had a spot in the sun – what a beauty!
Don Andreina chose the 1970 Mondiverdi 375L High Speed as his car of the show, and I can see why. It is probably the most exotic of the American-powered European ‘hybrid’ GT cars.
The angular Fissore-designed body is neatly-styled if not quite beautiful, but with big-block Chrysler power giving a top speed of around 150 mph it would show its rear end to most other cars of the era.
Here is the profile shot that Don could not get within the confines of the crowded Exhibition Building.
Here is a 1967 Maserati Mexico, which was fairly substantially overshadowed by the four other models offered (Mistral, Quattroporte, Ghibli and Indy) and only 458 were built. Even if it isn’t the fastest or most beautiful, I bet the quad-cam 4.7L V8 topped by a row of Weber carbs still makes for a fun cruiser.
This pair of Rolls-Royces is pretty great, a 1965 Silver Cloud III Continental Flying Spur bodied by Mulliner Park Ward and a 1925 Phantom with a Brewster body. The owner of the Phantom told me the timer-framed body is all original and does not have any squeaks, creaks or rattles – quite impressive.
I had to look up what this car was, initially; it is a 1936 Hudson Terraplane touring coupe, with a very striking local body. Therefore while my initial guess of a Holden sloper body might not be wide of the mark, because Holden used to build bodies for more manufacturers than just GM.
Coming back up the other side of the road, there were a pair of Lancia Fulvias (a 1970 1.6 HF works rally car and a 1968 Zagato-body Sports) and behind them a row of classic bikes.
Ironically the 1990 Ferrari F40 is probably the most common car on Australian roads today, and it could not be registered here when new. The 1980 Lancia Beta Zagato Spyder is almost rocking-horse-poo rare, while the 1924 Lancia Trikappa is one of 6 in the country (10 known to exist in the world).
Here are a pair of Ferrari 365s; a 1972 GTC/4 and a 1974 365 BB. The greenhouse of the GTC/4 must have been a strong influence on the Chevrolet Monza/Buick Skyhawk. Note the 308 and 246 Dino ahead.
In front of those was the 1964 Ferrari 250 GT Lusso that Don also liked, a 1967 250 GT 2+2 and a 1980 Aston Martin AMV8 Volante. Unlike many the latter has a manual gearbox.
Moving forward are a pair of Jaguars, an XK150 convertible and a 1967 Mark II 3.8L sedan, one of the last of the sedan that was a strange mixture of state of the art (DOHC engine, 4-wheel discs) and the traditional (timber dashboard and trim, and leaf springs). And behind them is the same Alvis TA21 Graber from two years ago.
Any TVR is a rare sight, especially an early one like this 1960 Grantura MkII which has a 1600cc MGA engine. This particular car was originally sold in the US.
Then there were a pair of 1957 Chevrolets. Both are Bel Airs, but the convertible has been converted to right-hand drive which might be an indication that it has been in the country for more than a few years.
I’ve skipped over a few cars so here are some as they drove out. For one a 1939 Oldsmobile Sports Roadster, one of 10 built by GM-Holden. The information board at the show stated that this model was not built in the USA, perhaps a one-year technicality only as there was a convertible for 1940.
The Aston Martin DB2/4 MkIII is the last of the original series, with the inline six boosted from 2.6 to 2.9-litres. They also had a more organic version of the iconic A-M grille shape, and are a curious mix of looking small from some angles and large from others. I think it is because the wheels are 16” and tyres quite high-profile, where you would assume they are smaller, plus the body tapers slightly so the 4.3m/169″ overall length is not always apparent.
Back to the (back of the) Efijy, which you may remember as having featured at the Detroit Auto Show in 2007, as well as the Woodward Dream Cruise later the same year.
The car had a Corvette floor pan with air suspension and a supercharged 6.0 V8 making about 640hp.
The interior is more typical show car stuff. There were some big claims about multi-function this and such and such that but I wonder how much of it works, given the speedo appears to be displaying zero with the ignition switched off. Giving the display screen the appearance of an early CRT screen is an interesting touch.
Here is a highly opportunistic shot; a 2005 Monaro CV8-Z, the final edition, next to the 2005 Efijy.
Ok, time to hit the road and head to Motorclassica! It is not every day that you see a multi-million dollar concept car driving on public roads.
Further Reading:
Carshow Classics: Highlights From MotorClassica 2017
A great group of cars! I am partial to that 39 Oldsmobile.
But it appears that you have the same law on the books that we have in the US – “There shall be no formal car show without at least one red 1957 Bel Air on display.”
Nice, I finally figured out this was in Melbourne since it looks more tropical than the parts of Aus I have been to.
Funny about the 57 Chevy, I doubt the reverse is true, there is not a 57 Holden at every car show in the US. However, one of my co-workers lives in Denver CO has a 57 Holden so there is at least one in the country.
Where else in Aus have you been? Melbourne is actually the second coldest of our major cities. Its Koppen classification is temperate Oceanic, so it’s more like the Pacific Northwest.
It’s always a rude awakening for us Brisbanites when we go down to Melbourne in the winter, because up here we have a sub-tropical climate.
There are still plenty of palm trees in Melbourne though, especially in and around the Royal Botanic Gardens, which I presume these photos were taken near.
Hmm, just Sydney and Tannum Sands. To visit the Boyne Island Aluminium Smelter.
On second glance I’m just not remembering the palm trees, that was 15 years ago…
Yes, this is almost literally a stone’s throw from the Botanic Gardens.
Apologies Doug – I will add that basic information into the post!
There have been a lot of 57 Chevs (and others) imported in the last few years since the usage restrictions for cars on a club permit were opened up from club events only to a 90-day logbook.
Yes indeed, I just heard about that since a friend of mine just sold his 1956 Chevy into Australia.
It’s not red though 🙂
Ironically enough, Doug it’s a dry 95F in late spring as I read this, and has been for days, though typically enough, it is forecast to be wet in the high 50’s in two days time, changeability being something the weather is famous for here. At the time of Motorclassica, the weather was about the 50F mark, where it sits for a lot of months in autumn/winter (so not Canadian cold!). Sydney is much warmer and more moist and further north than Melb, and Brisbane is practically sub-tropical. Palm trees here look either sad or sunburnt, either way, misplaced. The ones you see were a Victorian-era affectation.
Wow ~
THANK YOU for sharing these cars we’d never see otherwise .
-Nate
Rocking-horse-poo?
Yes, it is very, very rare!
Yes, I remember the Efijy. Is it just me, or does it seem that the spokes and outer steering wheel rotate around a fixed hub? Otherwise, the Holden logo would be oriented differently…right?
I hadn’t noticed that but no, it is in the correct orientation. Since the “lion and stone” logo was revised in 1994 and changed to a circular format, the lion’s paw is just to the left of the 6 o’clock position .
Great photos. I go down to Melbourne relatively often, but I should better time my next trip…
My Dad had a cream FJ ute similar to the one featured – he traded it in for an EH station wagon on the day I was born!
What a great group of photos and commentary! Thank you for sharing them.
Thanks Dan
+1
The 1965 HD Premier has a very Ford-like front end in every way, fenders, bumper, grille. Otherwise, all those Australian GM cars look pretty much GM-like.
I’m curious what Fords you are thinking of? I don’t know what I’d relate the “kidney slicer” front fenders to, but the remind me a little of the 1965 Oldsmobile.
Some of the details on this Buick wagon in Johannes Dutch’s post the other day are very HD like as well.
There is a strong resemblance to the Holden wagon there!
Could have done without photos of yet more 1957 Chevrolets. All the other cars attract my attention; some are unique. I’ve seen enough ’57 Chevrolets to last this lifetime and many more after.
A guy I know in Wyoming has a 1956 Chevrolet four door sedan that is sort of a Holden – a knocked down kit assembled in Oz. It has right hand drive and it was imported to the USA for his collection. The very plain car has leather seating surfaces. Now that car is interesting. No ’57 Bel Air is.
That’s a fair comment, to my eyes the convertible being RHD was notable as standing out from the more recent influx of US cars.
On the other hand if some of the Holdens present didn’t have good restorations and stories they would be barely second-glance to many Australians. A few years back my mother came with me to a car show and I remember her saying “why is that here?”, looking at a restored 1964 Holden ute. To her it was just an old work ute.
The Australian-assembled cars are much less common these days having been sold in limited numbers in the first place. I don’t know how many but based on later years somewhere around 1500-2000 per annum. The cars were trimmed locally and because they were a fairly high-priced car on the local market leather would have been used instead of the still relatively new vinyl. From what I have read, 6-cylinder only too, although no doubt many were converted to V8.
I saw an original 1957 sedan that was still owned by its original owner a couple of years ago.
Did you happen to get a photo of the dash on that RHD ’57? I once owned a ’57 Chevy assembly manual and there were RHD export cars documented. The dash was the quite different ’56 design, which allowed the steering column and instruments to swap with the clock and radio speaker, as if the ’55-’56 was designed to be built as RHD from the start.
An Aus CKD kit that went to Wyoming? Well, I never! Actually, the car would have begun life (in pieces) in Canada, as Aus had preferential tariff treatment with other Commonwealth countries (indeed, for years Ford Aus was a subsidiary of Ford Canada). They were expensive here, bought largely by well-to-do farmers who could afford more than a Holden. Ironic really, because with the Stovebolt-only and rather basic trim, the newer-engined Holden was probably the better car. As for the leather, even FJ Holdens still had that in ’55; it’s possible the exciting new stuff called “vinyl” was optional, but someone here may know better.
Yes, the car was a “six”. The car was tan and the leather seating surfaces were dark brown. Can’t remember if it was a manual or automatic. It was certainly an unusual car to see. Not many four door sedans are taken to car shows but this car was so different that justifiably attracted interest.
The leather was expected by the market because of the ‘luxury car’ pricing big Chevrolets (and Fords, and Mopars) carried. When the Holden was the default car, the Chevrolet was expensive. You wouldn’t put lesser stuff in a car that expensive. Not in mid-fifties Australia.
To a North American, Austr-eye-lia is some sort of parallel universe of automobilia, I guess. And it’s unique in its combo of American and British sources, seemingly on an equal footing. Do I have that right ?
The Efijy has caught my eye repeatedly on Pinterest; I had no idea of its country of origin until now. That’s my idea of a sexy automobile. Thanks for the fine pics !
Grrreeaaat selection John. You caught the Efigy really well, and nice Monteverdi profile. Can’t remember that yellow Mexico at the show, that’s purdy.
What a selection! It’s like being a kid in a candy store. That Hudson is really cool, as is the Olds. Might need to trade in a kidney for the Monteverdi as well. Or the Maserati… And that ’25 Rolls with an original body, how is that even possible? Mind-blowing.
Great work, Mr 875! Now I get the fuss about the Monteverdi – that profile, just wow.
The pink Citroen DS is a unique catch on CC, as I’m fairly sure it’s the first time that a car which was a film star has been seen here. It was the silent star of the eponymously-named The Goddess Of 1967, from 2000. (A rather odd but likeable film).
I have a cool reaction to the Holden lineup, because experience reminds me that many of them were not good things to drive. Not only that, but if you add a good sprinkling of dull Japanese local-made pieces, TRAFFIC just looked like that 30 years ago, and I found it dull then. Though it has to be said the LC 2-door Toranas were always good lookers, as was the HQ Holden.
The Effjay is a glorious piece of the rodders art. Doesn’t need the local association and context to be universally liked either, it seems.
Very taken by the Hudson.
It was reported that it is the car from the film. My camera didn’t make it to the car at the show so I don’t have a shot of the information board for it. I really don’t know why they don’t put each cars information/history in the program that they sell.
As to the Holdens, that is definitely a thing as I said in my reply to Constellation above. But cars in this condition have to fight really hard to be boring.
The pictures of the HX LE coupe followed by the gorgeous HQ Monaro help to show that often the first edition of a model is the best looking and most pure.
The Monteverdi would be my choice for Car of the show as well.
Always loved the Efijy, all those FJ details we took for granted back in the day exaggerated in grand style, just brilliant.
Thanks for the post, I must go to this next year.
Great cars! But no pics from the cast of “Offspring”? Hint: Offspring is a very funny, successful comedy series filmed in Melbourne available on Netfliks
A reference to a song from the show?
At first glance, I thought that the Holden Efijy was being followed by some sort of Holden Hearse. Instead it turns out to be the 1976 HX model Sandman panel van.
Our local PBS channel frequently broadcasts an Australian soap opera called “A Place to Call Home” and I find myself watching to catch glimpses of the Australian, English and American cars featured in the program.
Surprising to hear that show is on over there. Mind not a show I have taken/made time to watch.
John, get on it. It’s brilliant, probably the best Aussie drama I’ve ever seen (best comedy would be The Hollowmen). I wouldn’t call it a soap opera though, Johnster, but rather a period drama. It’s in the vein of Downton Abbey but, as a former fan of Downton, I’d say APTCH is much better.
It’s quite addictive, really.
Now that I think about it I remember seeing an episode when visiting my mother because she was watching it. Not the sort of show I’d watch normally, for one thing the story line was too predictable for the most part.
Yes, the GTC/4 absolutely served as the inspiration for the H-body hatches (Monza, Starfire, Skyhawk). As I recall, GM eventually admitted this.
Aha, good to hear something that makes sense is actually correct, thanks.
What a great group of cars! I too had thought the Efigy was something only seen in photographs on Pinterest. Nice photos, excellent knowledgeable commentary….
I remember already knowing about the Ferrari GTC/4’s influence on Chevrolet Monza 2+2 styling when I had mine in 1975.
The White Ferrari is a 250 GTE 2+2, not a 330 GT 2+2.
Thanks for the correction, on what is perhaps the plainest styled Ferrari ever? (No offence if you own one!)