We Keep Holden On
Ken is a country boy born and bred and proud of it. This is obvious whenever you get to have a chat with him. Ken, now a retired gentleman of Sydney’s Northern Beaches, has a story about his interest in Humpies which is intimately entwined around his life. His story reflects a little of country life in the 40’s and 50’s and is a slice of living history about the introduction of Holden’s to the country. Maybe it’s best to let Ken tell the tale in his own words…
Dennis is a retired gentleman who hails from Sydney’s western suburbs.
He was born in the North West of NSW and spent most of his life traveling and working in the North West and Central West of NSW before moving to Sydney. If you give him a minute, he will regale you with tales of his misspent youth and of the many jobs at which he was employed. Those tales, Tall and True, are themselves a history lesson.
In Holden circles the name “Stan Bennett” is instantly recognisable and is inexorably linked to the 48 & FJ Holden Owners Club NSW.
So, who is Stan Bennett? Hopefully this expose will give an insight into Stan and what he means to the 48 & FJ Holden movement.
If you asked Ian what was the genesis of his interest in Holdens, he could truthfully say that it was predestined even before he was a glint in his father’s eye!
The Mason Family has owned Holdens from the early ‘50s. Ian’s grandfather owned a 1952, ’48 (FX) sedan, registered AFM-701.
“If you asked me to describe myself I would probably say I was the Ute Freak of the Club. I love everything Ute” laughed Ian.
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In 1958 my father bought a three-year old FJ Special from a farmer at Narrogin in WA. Coming from his A40, A30s and Vauxhall Wyverns, the Holden was Dad’s first “proper car”. Compared with the others, the Holden was a huge advance in interior space, comfort, power and reliability. It became the family workhorse for the next 13 years. Its blooding was as field transport for a thesis in geology around Geraldton.
“I guess I’ve liked Holdens including Humpies as long as I could remember,” said Warren, a Plumber from Sydney’s Lower North Shore.
