West Coast Customs look to give Elizabeth Holden plant Hollywood treatment

The brains behind hit TV series West Coast Customs is coming to South Australia — with an ambitious plan to take the former Holden plant back to the future.

Car making in South Australia can expect the full Hollywood treatment, under an ambitious plan to build custom vehicles at Elizabeth’s former Holden Plant.

The brains behind West Coast Customs (WCC) — a Californian car restoration firm which has spawned a Netflix and Foxtel series – last week visited the Holden site, now known as Lionsgate.

Lionsgate owner Ross Pelligra said WCC founder Ryan Friedlinghaus wanted to set up a custom workshop at the site, employing up to 50 people including ex-holden workers and a team of apprentices.

Popstar Justin Bieber has a stake in WCC, which accessorised the glitzy Lexus in last year’s Marvel Studios film Black Panther.

Other WCC customers include former star basketballer Shaquille O’Neal and reality TV star Kylie Jenner.

A contract is yet to be signed, but Mr Pelligra was confident of doing a deal with WCC, which has amassed a cult following during eight seasons of the smash hit TV show Inside West Customs Customs.

Singer Justin Bieber (L) and founder for West Coast Customs Ryan Friedlinghaus attend the Grand Opening of West Coast Customs Burbank Headquarters. Picture: Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images

“It’s coming soon, it’s going to give worldwide exposure to Adelaide,” said Mr Pelligra, who also committed $500 million to buying the former Ford car plants in Victoria.

“It’s like having the Olympics here.”

He said Mr Friedlinghaus wanted to make use of existing car manufacturing skills in SA.

“WCC will be the centrepoint for customised cars across Australia,” Mr Mr Pelligra said.

“It shows the car industry is not dead. This is how you enhance its heritage and legacy.

“It will be a job generator with apprenticeship schemes. Ryan wants to teach people, it’s his passion.

“Holden employees are still around so they can set up the workshop pretty quickly. Now is the time to do it, to build on the discipline that came out of Holden.”

The workshop, which is likely to be near the front of the 123ha Phillip Highway site, would cost about $15 million to set up.

“It’s exciting. It will be a one-stop shop for customisation. It’s actually a lot of work to do up a car, this way it is all done in one place,” Mr Pelligra said.

The Holden heritage museum would likely be moved next-door to sync with the incoming workshop

Kylie Jenner attends The 2019 Met Gala Celebrating Camp. Picture: Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images/AFP

Chairman of the Pelligra Group Ross Pelligra. Picture: Matt Turner.

The charismatic Mr Friedlinghaus employs about 50 people in his Burbank, California workshop and is expected to take on a similar number of apprentices as well as highly experienced car makers.

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment David Ridgway joined Mr Pelligra and Mr Friedlinghaus on the tour of Lionsgate.

“It was great to meet Mr Friedlinghaus last week – he has some very exciting ideas he wanted to raise with us – and it would be a real coup to have his business expand to Adelaide,” Mr Ridgway said.

“The Marshall Government welcomes any positive investment in South Australia that not only helps grow the economy and creates jobs, but would provide valuable training opportunities for young workers.”

Mr Pelligra who sought out Mr Friedlinghaus during a trip to California last November.

“I knew I needed to set up a meeting with Ryan. I wanted him to come here, to feel the vibe of the place.

“This is not about bringing in a new tenant, I want to restore the culture that was there with Holden.”