Remembering the Australian car industry

Dedicated to the men and woman affected by the winddown of Australian car manufacturing, Chasing History is about the history of a significant industry

Makers

Meeting the people who designed and built Australian cars and their components.

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I’m not going to shy away from this, but I had to go and see a psychiatrist in the end. After all those years working in the automotive sector, that was all I knew.

Mustapha Kalfat and his passion for Holden

One of our neighbours used to work for Holden in Dandenong and he would basically drive home with a new car every day. We used to sit outside and wait for him to drive past.

The Charger Days with John Grant

I jacked up the ‘mule’, removed the wheel, and a section of brake disc rotor fell on the ground. I will never forget the look on the brake engineer’s face!

Owners

Sharing stories from people who have owned and grown up in Australian cars.

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Taming The Beast

Buying a Ford from a Holden Dealer was just wrong! I gritted my teeth, lowered my pride and bought it.

Driving the Dream with Elise Edwards

I got out of the car and caught a glimpse of the rear corner. I couldn’t see anything else, but I had already fallen in love with it.

Chargers, Chargers and more Chargers with Andrew Clark

I was just so excited with the White Knight that nothing else mattered. The rest is history and I still have the car.

Dashboard

A blend of yarns that don’t have a driveway of their own.

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The Lion’s Last Breath

Thanks, Holden, for all the opportunities you gave to Australians.

Valiants in their Veins

Sometimes my sister and I were allowed to go for a passenger ride with Dad in the Charger out on the track. It was the highlight of our weekend feeling that brutal acceleration and the sound of the screaming engine.

Selling Chargers at Commonwealth Motors

I said ‘listen, you can’t do that, as I’ve got to sell this!’

“After all, what was a pleasant home in the suburbs without a local car built by your neighbour sitting out the front?”

The story of our car industry