Car-racing legends join Holden’s Adelaide farewell with street parade

WITH pride and a few tears, more than 25,000 Holden car enthusiasts and racing legends have gathered to celebrate the end of an era with a street parade at Elizabeth. GALLERY + HISTORY PODCASTS

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WITH overwhelming pride and more than a few tears, more than 25,000 Holden car enthusiasts gathered on Sunday to celebrate the end of an era with the Dream Cruise parade at Elizabeth.

Bev Brock — long-term partner of Holden racing legend, Peter Brock — waved the starting flag on the goodbye event for the historic car manufacturing company, under perfect blue skies, and to the strains of Jimmy Barnes’ hit song Working Class Man.

Led off by the sixth-ever car built in Australia, the 48-215 (FX), more than 1200 vintage Holden cars — including favourite models such as Monaros, Toranas, Commodores and Sandmans — were driven around the 11km circuit passing the factory on Philip Hwy that will close this Friday.

Gallery: Holden lovers’ dream run

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Long-term employee Lui Bortoletto couldn’t believe his luck having champion driver Mark Scaife as a passenger in a VF SS V Redline, the last car built at the factory.

“It might have been best if Mark was driving me but I’m loving this as it’s all about pride today,” the 36-year Holden veteran said.

“This is a day I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Holden has been a great place to work and you can’t knock what we’ve achieved.”

Mark Skaife and Bev Brock, with a Peter Brock tribute car at the Holden Dream Cruise, which was held to make the carmaker’s last week in Adelaide. Picture: Dylan Coker

His passenger was inspired by the large crowd.

“I’m absolutely blown away by the people here to celebrate such an incredible journey,” Scaife said.

“There have been so many magnificent cars over the years and I’ve been a small part in the Holden journey.”

Holden managing director Mark Bernhard said Adelaide held “a special place” for the company as it started business in the city in 1856.

Manufacturing executive director, Richard Phillips, who conceived the Dream Cruise send-off, that concluded at the Central District Football Club with a family day, paid tribute to the people of Elizabeth.

“Never underestimate the passion of Holden fans and there is no place that has greater passion than that of the people of Elizabeth,” Mr Phillips, who was born in the suburb, said.

“Everyone in South Australia knows someone who has worked at Holden. It’s part of the fabric of the state.”

The large crowd, many of whom had been by the roadside since sunrise, cheered each car loudly and most especially those drivers keen to rev up an engine.

Linda and Maurice McCartney met at the GMH plant and both contributed more than 30 years service.

Linda, wore the T-shirt she had been given when she was made redundant in 1996.

“I never thought I’d ever wear this T-shirt but today’s the ideal day to bring it out,” she said.

“We always called the place the gold mine because we were paid good money and it was a good life.”

Mr McCartney, who finished up two years after his wife, said he feared for the youth of the region now the factory was closing.

“It’s been a wonderful day to see all these cars Australia was able to build and now it’s lost for ever,” he said.

“Holden provided everything I had in life — but where are the young ones going to go?”

The State Government and GM Holden announced on Sunday an additional $600,000 would be provided to help automotive workers transition to new jobs.

Ms Brock, whose relationship with Peter Brock ended acrimoniously after 28 years, acknowledged the racing legend might have been a little curious as to her participation but said it was an honour to be invited to part of history.

“I’m quite sure Peter’s looking down saying ‘Why you, Bevvo?’” she said with a laugh.

“But the red blood flowed through Peter’s veins in every sense and he would be looking down today thinking that every proud Australian should honour the great history of Holden.”