1500 kilometres. 16 hours. Once in a lifetime.

1500 kilometres. 16 hours. Once in a lifetime.
Holden Dream Cruise in Elizabeth, South Australia.

October 15, at 6 am we met up with the largest Holden club in South Australia at the nearby tennis courts. Abbey from Commodore and Classic Holden Enthusiasts had been introduced to me by a friend, and I was invited to meet with them in the morning for the cruise into Elizabeth City Centre for the Dream Cruise. CACHE, as they call themselves, had 25 members in the parade, with many of their 300 members on the sidelines for support. At 6:30 we proceeded to our designated muster points for the participants. We were identified by colour coded windshield banner decals, these defined us by build eras, Holden’s private collection (Red), and the Top 100 in the Show and Shine had Black.
Cars were swarming into the parking lots surrounding the main shopping district in Elizabeth, and once we parked we scurried off to suss out the other Holdens. There was some of everything, from chassis number 6 of the 48-215, through to one of the last VF sedans. But aside from the Holden badged vehicles, entry was welcome to ANY vehicle manufactured or assembled by GM Holden within Australia, so that included a Bedford Truck, a few Chevrolets, and a big blue beautiful 1967 Pontiac Parisienne.

1200 Holden build vehicles. 11 kilometres. 2 hours.

At 9am the Holden Dream Cruise began with chassis 6 and the youngest VF, with the accompaniment of the Central Coast’s own Mark Skaife riding shotgun. As the cars were released by their colour groups, they slowly trailed out of the parking lots and onto the main road, with people waving to the passengers as they pass. We watched by the roadside until we got our 15 minute warning to start our engines. Then it was our turn to join the fray, and queue for our entry onto the main road with the others. The route took us along a few of the main roads through Elizabeth, with South Australian Police as our marshals. Residents had set up chairs and even BBQs in their driveways and had gathered all their Holden paraphernalia they had, flags or shirts, and were waving and cheering as the procession passed them. But as there were still public vehicles on the road, we were backed up by traffic signals, and rubber-neckers. And making the most of it, while I was driving Jason was collecting high-fives from the spectators. Finally we came to Philip Highway and alongside GM Holden’s vehicle manufacture plant. The site covered almost one kilometre of road front, it was enormous. As the vehicles passed in front of the factory there were television crews and a photographer to capture the moment each vehicle crossed in front of the office space. Next the cars were directed into designated parking areas once more, but this time to go the My Money House Oval where the Red Holden Collection vehicles and the Black Show and Shine cars were on display. There was also a live concert, with speeches Holden chairmen and directors, by Greg Rust and Mark Skaife. There were a few of the newest Holden models on display including the electric Bolt, and the Equinox. Holden was hosting a silent auction with proceeds to go to charity, up on offer was build number 05 Director, and Motorsport editions, and build number 111 Magnum. The public helped to vote for the People’s Choice of the Show and Shine, many amazing Holdens to choose from. Holden’s Dealer and Factory Staff pavilion was an excellent source of respite from the clear and sunny conditions, offering drinks, lunch, and refreshing ice cream bars.
Whilst we were checking out the cars on show, some Holden representatives noticed our club shirts and it became apparent that we were the furthest travelled participants in the Dream Cruise. This also came to the notice of the local television network reporter that was on scene. Thus we were featured in the 6pm news segment on channel 9, nationally.

All in all, it was an amazing experience, and it was very special to take my ute back to its birth place. I wish to thank Newcastle City Holden for the sponsorship they gave me in covering my fuel costs for the trek. It was a monumental day, and it’s a sad thing to see the doors close, however all good things must come to an end. Now it is up to us to keep the passion alive for the vehicles we love.

If you are considering making the trek to Adelaide, or Elizabeth, I suggest a visit to Birdwood National Motor Museum. It has an amazing collection of a wide variety of motor vehicles, from chassis number 6 48-215 to the world’s largest “mobile” telephone. With a dedicated collection of Australia’s motoring history, from all manufacturers.