Holden Dream Cruise announced

GM Holden has announced a family event to celebrate seven decades of Holden manufacturing in the northern Adelaide suburb of Elizabeth on Sunday, October 15 – five days before the company closes its nearby factory for good on October 20.

Starting at 9:00am in the Elizabeth city centre, the Holden Dream Cruise will be headlined by a giant street parade of Australian-made Holden cars led by the first and last cars to be built -- a 1948 48/215 and a 2017 VF Commodore.

The parade will be followed by a free family fun day featuring car displays, entertainment, food and a show‘n’shine at My Money House Oval in Elizabeth South between 11:00am and 4:00pm.

Owners of any car, van, truck or commercial vehicle made in Australia by Holden or General Motors are invited to register to take part in the cruise at holdendreamcruise.com.au.

In particular, it is encouraging owners of some of Australia’s most classic and iconic models to register, including the FJ, EH, HD, Kingswood, Torana, Monaro, Sandman, Commodore and Ute.

Modelled on the biennial Woodward Dream Cruise held in Detroit, the Holden Dream Cruise will have numerous viewing locations along its 10km route and the chance for families to get up close to the cars afterwards.

The route starts at the Elizabeth City shopping centre and passes Holden’s vehicle operations plant on Philip Highway before ending at the home of the Central District Football Club.

Holden says the event is an opportunity for enthusiasts and the community to show their pride, and will bring together customers, enthusiasts, employees and locals to celebrate its manufacturing achievements and its important place in Australian society.

“For seven decades, Holden manufacturing has been an iconic part of Australian life. We’re proud of our heritage and excited for our future,” said the company.

“As a thank you to Holden customers, enthusiasts, employees and the people of northern Adelaide, Holden is staging a community celebration of its past, present and future.”

Holden executive director of manufacturing Richard Phillips said the Dream Cruise is not just for owners of classic Australian-made Holdens but the wider community.

“We want to hold an event that recognises the large community of people who care about the brand, its manufacturing heritage and its future,” he said.

“This includes not only customers and enthusiasts but people for whom employment at Holden has been an important part of their family, in some cases for decades.”

“We also want to reiterate that the final day of our local manufacturing will be a strictly private event. That last day is for our people – there will be nothing public happening on 20 October.

“The best way to help celebrate Holden the brand and your personal association with it is to join in or come along and line the route of the Holden Dream Cruise – this is the opportunity for Australia to show that pride and support for our people.”

Holden Chairman and Managing Director Mark Bernhard said “the Holden Dream Cruise is about honouring our heritage and paying our respect to it by reinforcing our future”.

“Holden is one of Australia’s most iconic brands. We built the auto industry in this country and Australia grew up with Holden. We’re incredibly proud of that heritage and committed to building a future that honors our past.

“We may not be building cars locally but the retention of our engineering team, our international design studios and our vehicle testing facility are just a few examples of Holden’s ongoing commitment to Australia and our customers,” said Bernhard.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing the turnout, to see what special and restored vehicles take part and talking about all-things Holden with our loyal supporters.”