Holden lovers converge on Murray Bridge for HD/HR nationals
The owners of about 125 vehicles have shown them off at Sturt Reserve as part of an Australia-wide gathering.
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Thousands of Holden enthusiasts have descended on Murray Bridge over the weekend for a national rally.
About 125 HD and HR Holdens turned up for the annual event celebrating the classic models, produced between 1965 and 1968.
Among them was Glenn Flinkenberg, a Kiwi who keeps two cars garaged in Melbourne just so he can bring them out for the event each year.
“They’re the ones I grew up with,” he said of the classic vehicles.
“When I got into cars they were brand new.
“I love the styling … I fell in love with the shape.”
Visitors take a look at the Holdens on display at Sturt Reserve on Sunday. Photos: Peri Strathearn.
He bought his first as soon as he could afford it, and he and a mate drove one all the way around Australia over five weeks in 2013.
He has also spent the past 50 years collecting memorabilia associated with the model, material he published in a book – Take the Wheel – in 2022.
His passion was shared by almost everyone who came to check out the cars on display at a show-and-shine at Sturt Reserve on Saturday.
Event organiser Wes Marshall said about 60 per cent of attendees had come from interstate.
They had a meet-and-greet at Murray Bridge Lawn Bowling Club on Friday night, an evening meal at the racecourse on Saturday, and a cruise to the National Motor Museum at Birdwood on Sunday.
They’ll next get together at Stanthorpe, in Queensland’s Darling Downs, in June 2025.
More than 430,000 HD and HR Holdens were built during the 1960s.
Many of the vehicles on show at Sturt Reserve looked as good as new – or, in some cases, better. Photos: Peri Strathearn.
