Arguably one of the district’s biggest Holden fans will be “devastated” to see the last of the vehicles made in Australia roll out of the Adelaide factory on Friday, October 19.
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AJ Rowe, who has converted wife Terri Rowe into a Holden fan, has driven the brand for as long as he can remember.
Cruising around town in his black and orange 2016 Holden Sandman ute, complete with personalised number plates, Mr Rowe said it was the power of the vehicles that he loved.
“I like the shapes, the styles and the V8s,” he said.
“Holden has been around for a long time and has brought out many great cars.
“I have been a Holden fan all my life and I have now made my wife Terri a Holden fan.”
Matching colours and style with her husband, Mrs Rowe drives a 2015 Sandman wagon, which she said was a dream to drive.
“People recognise us everywhere,” she said.
“It took me a long time to be persuaded to buy one because I have always had little sporty cars.
“Our cars are the last of the Sandman branded cars and were made in Australia.”
Unsure if he would continue to buy Holdens in the future, Mr Rowe would like to see the company reverse their decision to outsource manufacturing to Germany.
“It is disappointing,” he said.
“Many great cars have been built here in Australia. They had a slogan ‘let the good times roll’, and I think Holden should have done that.
“I’m not sure I will buy another Holden in the future. I will wait and see what they bring out.”
The first car Mr Rowe owned was a 1664 Holden EH wagon, followed by an EH panel van, also a 1964 model.
A red Holden Commodore SS V-Series Redline sedan was the last vehicle to be produced in Australia.
Unsure of what his reaction would be on Friday when the last Australian made Holden was driven off the production line, he said he was “crier”.
“It will be a sad day for me,” Mr Rowe said.
“To see the Holden brand leave Australia will be sad.
“Maybe all of us Holden fans should get together and reopen a Holden factory in Australia.”
The Adelaide factory has been the sole source of Australian-made Holden vehicles since 1994.
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