A HALF-century after starting at Albury’s Holden dealership, Des Gillett can’t believe his favourite car manufacturer will no longer produce models in Australia.
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The Lavington car salesman once owned 13 Lion-badged automobiles and was a mechanic at Albury’s Holden franchise Preston Motors from 1963 to 1969.
“I can’t believe General Motors have decided to do what they’ve done, there’s a lot of people that are going to be out of work,” Mr Gillett said.
“It doesn’t seem right to me, General Motors have been here so long and they’ve been through the hard times and good times and now they’re finished.
“I’ve been Holden all my life, I used to race them.
“I had 13 cars here at one stage, all the models right through from the FX to Toranas to HTs.”
Mr Gillett’s black 1953 FX and brown 1967 HR Premier featured in the movie The Sapphires.
Fellow Holden aficionado Rob Beasley drives a restored 1967 HR utility to work in Albury.
“It’s not a happy day for sure for Australia because since 1948 Holdens have been synonymous with ‘football, meat pies, kangaroos and Holden cars’,” Mr Beasley said.
“I guess it’s an economic decision, the new Holdens are fantastic but everyone wants something a little bit different.”
Wangaratta’s Early Holden Car Club publicity officer Anthony Cutrona said it was “very sad” to learn of Holden’s demise but economically understandable.
“Being an accountant I’m aware of what’s happening in the world,” Mr Cutrona said.
“I just feel sorry for all the people who are going to lose their jobs.”
