6 March 2006
A rare unrestored FJ Holden will take pride of place in a new display opening at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra this week.
The 1955 blue-grey FJ Special sedan is the centrepiece of the exhibition - Australia's Own Car: The Holden. It was owned by Tharwa woman Molly Goodall, who clocked up just 53,000 miles driving between the family sheep farm and Queanbeyan. The car was sold to Queanbeyan mechanic Albert Neuss and came to the museum two years ago after a nationwide search for an FJ in original condition and with a known history.
WHAT: Unveiling of new Holden display
WHEN: 11am, Wednesday, 8 March 2006
WHERE: Nation gallery, National Museum
Curator Daniel Oakman, members of Molly's family and mechanic Albert Neuss will attend the unveiling.
Molly Goodall kept the car in immaculate condition, garaging it at night and covering it with a rabbit skin rug and a horse blanket. Confused by an encounter with Queanbeyan's first traffic lights in 1980, she cancelled her licence and never drove the car again.
The FJ Special is set among a range of objects - including the original FJ design drawings - that explore Holden's special place in the Australian experience, focusing on the nation's manufacturing, motoring, urban and social history. It is expected to be a nostalgic drawcard for museum visitors - possibly with the exception of Ford fans!
The Holden replaces the ABC outside broadcast van on the eve of the museum's fifth anniversary. It is part of the permanent Nation gallery display and will be open to the public from Thursday, 9 March.
For interviews, images or more information please contact Ellen Peterson on 02 6208 5351, 0409 916 481 or Leanda Kitchen on 02 6208 5338, 0438 620 710 or media@nma.gov.au