Holden reunion: Efijy, Hurricane, GTR-X, Monaro, Commodore and HSV will be part of some 80 classic Holdens moved to a new home as GMSV restores the historic fleet as well as Australians' trust in GM.

GMSV says the Holden fleet should be kept for future Australians with models such as the Efijy, Commodore and Monaro.

Great news for Holden lovers.

GMSV (General Motors Specialty Vehicles) said it is close to announcing a new home for older Holden vehicles that have been mothballed since the Holden brand was discontinued last year.

While the whereabouts and other details regarding exactly when and where Holden's fleet of classic stock cars, one-offs and prototypes will end remain a secret that won't be released until next year, it is believed they will be placed somewhere. in Victoria.

After all, Fishermans Bend in Port Melbourne was General Motors-Holden's headquarters from 1936 to 2020, with GMH's greatest hits on display in the company lobby. In addition, General Motors first opened a store on Melbourne's Collins Street in 1926, and GMSV is now based in Clayton, Victoria.

Preserving the past memories of General Motors-Holden is part of the plan to move forward into the future, according to Mark Ebolo, Managing Director of GMSV Australia and New Zealand.

“We have to make sure we keep our heritage and collection (of the classic Holden),” he said. Cars Guide at GMSV's first official media event since the brand's launch in November 2020.

Iconic and beloved Holden vehicles, including the Efijy and Hurricane concept cars, the GTR-X concept cars and many production models from the earliest 48 215-1948/FX to the last Australian-made Commodore (VF II with 2015 to 2017). It is expected to become part of the permanent exhibition sometime in 2022.

It is unknown at this stage if the public will have full access to all of these historic Holden vehicles, but the fact that they are in the same building means they could certainly be the perfect museum for the most revered Australian car brand in history.

Building on Holden's legacy has broader implications for the GMSV brand as the American corporation attempts to emerge from GMH's formidable shadow and reconnect with Australian consumers.

Asked if GMSV needs to work again to win the trust of local consumers after Holden's rapid decline and closure, GMSV Australia and New Zealand director Joanne Stogiannis believes that the majority of consumers are ready to embrace the future, even though people who remain angry at GM.

Publicity photo of Holden Sandman from the 1970s. Image: Attached.

"I've worked for Holden all my life and for me it's a love and appreciation for the brand that continues to this day," she said.

“We still have a lot of customers we support in the aftermarket – 1.6 million fleet so there’s still a brand we need to support – and from where I’m sitting and running this new GM brand, we are.” we were very pleased with the reception we received from the clients.

“Yes, there will be people who are still angry and hostile. I don't doubt it. But basically people who want a Corvette or a truck are very, very happy with what we do.”

Even after a successful first year in Australia, thanks to more than 2000 full-size Silverado pickup registrations since the start of the year, Ms Stogiannis agreed that the recent Bathurst race has been somewhat of a litmus test for GMSV as it remains a hallowed spot for diehard fans. Holden.

“Even when we were in Bathurst, just seeing the reaction [to the Chevrolet Corvette and Silverado truck line], people have moved… a little bit,” she said, “but there will always be some difficulty.

“We have a lot of respect for Holden, as well as other business units that we still have to manage in order to keep this brand alive. So we respect that… but we also focus on GMSV.”

Thus, it is clear that the restoration of the Holden legacy fleet is a good start in order to connect the past with the future.

Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.