‘I’ve owned about 14-15 Commodores’: Cairns man’s obsession with Aussie car

The departure of a generation-defining icon has not surprised a Cairns Commodore fanatic who this week reflected on the car’s role in shaping defining moments as a young lad growing up.

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THE departure of a generation-defining icon has not surprised a Cairns Commodore fanatic, who this week reflected on the car’s role in shaping seminal moments as a young lad growing up.

Owner of three first and second generation models, Josh Apps reckons newer vehicles disgraced the Mount Panorama-winning cars of the 1980s.

Holden has announced that it will no longer sell the Commodore, once Australia's highest selling vehicle. Bentley Park man Josh Apps is the proud owner of three Holden Commodores, including this immaculate 1986 Holden Commodore Calais Director. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

He said Holden should have discontinued the car before flogging off front-wheel-drive cars with a four-cylinder power plant.

“To me it was an embarrassment to Holden – they should have let the Commodore die like the way they let the Falcon die,” he said.

“It should have stayed Australian-made and it should have stayed rear-wheel-drive.”

Peter Hanenberger (moustache) in 1978 with the then new VB Commodore Picture: SUPPLIED

Despite the Commodore going soft with the release of the offshore-produced 2018 ZB model, Mr Apps felt a deep connection with the car, which will go down in history as a symbol of Australian national pride and manufacturing ingenuity.

“I have had about 14 or 15 Commodores. At the moment, I have an ’82, ’85 and a ’92 sitting in the shed,” he said.

“I remember growing up with my parents having one. It’s just about the love of the car. When I first got my licence, everyone was driving one and they were the cool car to have.”

A mad Peter Brock fan, the VK HDT Commodore win at the Bathurst James Hardie 1000 in 1984 was a defining moment.

Holden Commodore SL motor car, pictured in the South Parklands, Adelaide, Dec 1978. (Pic by unidentified staff photographer)

Easily modified to produce high-powered street machines, much of the Commodore’s appeal was the ability of owners to cheaply customise the car.

“And they were just enjoyable to drive,” he said.

“I have certainly got a passion for the Commodores and as an enthusiast, I would never buy another car. I could never imagine buying another V8 sedan unless it was an old two-door Monaro.”

Earlier this week, Holden announced it would axe the car from its line-up to focus solely on utes and big SUVs.

Once a top seller with , 95,000 units sold in 1998, this year Holden have sold just 5471 Commodores.

Originally published as ‘I’ve owned about 14-15 Commodores’: Cairns man’s obsession with Aussie car