Shannons celebrates end of Australian manufacturing

The first episode of a four-part tribute to over a century of Australian auto manufacturing goes to air on Sunday, September 1.

The project of a core of Shannons Insurance execs and content creators, Shannons End of An Era is a new four-part video series that “celebrates Australian automotive manufacturing spanning 120 years”.

Narrated by well-known Aussie actor and car nut, Shane Jacobson, Shannons End of An Era features the collective research nouse and knowledge of Mark Oastler, John Wright and Shannons marketing head, Mark Behr.

carsales viewed a sneak-peek of the series at Shannons’ headquarters in Heatherton last night.

“Featuring Australia’s leading motor historians, car designers, racing drivers, industry veterans and commentators, Shannons’ End of An Era provides a factual account of how cars became an integral part of the Australian way of life,” the company’s statement stated.

The four episodes of Shannons End of An Era are:
Part 1: From Goldrush to the Early Years (1900 -1959)
Part 2: The Swingin’ Sixties to the Love Generation to the (1960-1979)
Part 3: Eighties Big Hair to the Beginning of the End (1980 – 1999)
Part 4: A legacy Lost (2000-2017)

The series will be streamed exclusively on the Shannons Club. Episodes will be rolled out over eight weeks.

“In good times and bad, the industry supported us and gave us jobs, taught us skills and a new start for many coming to our shores,” said Jacobson.

"But our cars also entertained us – they took us to work, to the beach, on holidays, to the drive-in and to church on Sunday… they created legends from our race tracks... It’s an incredible story to tell and as a self-confessed Holden tragic, I’ve learnt so much about the cars that shaped our lives."

This project has been in the making for over two years and is the most comprehensive summary of Australia’s motoring past ever documented,” Behr commented.

“We commissioned the production of End of An Era to honour our industry. It is an archival legacy for enthusiasts and the wider population alike.”

“We commemorate the series to the many thousands of Australian auto workers past, present and future as well as the millions of loyal and passionate fans who have supported our nation’s automotive industry and made this story possible,” said Behr.