The much-treasured Mrs Holden's Holden – a 48-215 model also known as the Holden FX – will be staying at the National Motor Museum permanently following a State Government acquisition to preserve a part of the State's history.
It comes as visitor numbers to the museum jumped by 42 per cent over the past financial year – from 44,456 in 2021-21 to 62,884 in 2022-23 – with specialised collections driving the jump.
Mrs Holden's Holden was owned by a private collector, and through a generous long-term loan, has been on display at the National Motor Museum but the owner's desire to sell the car risked losing an important part of South Australia's heritage.
Built in Adelaide and assembled in Victoria in 1948, Mrs Holden's Holden is one the first Holdens sold. The very first Holden is also on display at the National Motor Museum.
The museum is host to Holden Heroes: 1948 to 2017 a retrospective that showcases 18 of the most special vehicles from Holden's Heritage Collection thanks to a partnership with General Motors.
On display is the Hurricane (1969), the unique Torana GTR-X (1970), as well as the Number One Holden (1948) and the very last Australian-made Holden, a VF Commodore Series II SS Redline (2017).
GM plays a significant role in South Australia's cultural and economic history and it's important these relics are celebrated and not forgotten.
This year, GM celebrates the 75th anniversary of the release of its first all-Australian manufactured car.
Mrs Holden's Holden is now permanently on display in the National Motor Museum's exhibition Sunburnt Country.
For more information on the National Motor Museum visit https://motor.history.sa.gov.au/
As put by Blair Boyer
I am thrilled we have been able to support the permanent public display of a significant piece of South Australia's automotive history.
The Holden 48-215 became the first mass-manufactured and sold car in Australia and Adelaide is the home of Holden, and its birthplace. Its origin story runs deep in our state and of course, Mrs Holden is a part of that story.
The vehicle also reflects South Australians' innovation and engineering skills and can inspire future generations of innovators.
As put by History Trust CEO, Greg Mackie OAM
Significant vehicles like this are one of the driving reasons people visit the National Motor Museum.
The History Trust has over 350 vehicles on display in the Museum.
Many are exceptionally rare, and others simply evoke nostalgia and fond memories.
I encourage you to visit the National Motor Museum in Birdwood and see this beautiful vehicle up close.
