HOW IT ALL STARTED

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The passion for Holden vehicles started at a young age.

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At 17 years old after searching local car yards I purchased a  LC Torana from Baillie Farmers Motors. Powered by a 161 motor with a 3-speed manual.

That Torana took me all over the North Island and sparked a lifelong passion for Holden vehicles.

While cruising Auckland car yards, a VB Commodore caught my eye, a perfect update, it had a blue 3.3 engine and 5-speed manual. It served me well, but the temptation of a V8 car was strong.

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I traded it on  HJ Premier powered by a 253 V8 and trimatic transmission.  Sadly this was stolen from the Stortford Lodge Hotel carpark in the late 80’s. 

During those years, a growing collection of Holden vehicles and unfinished builds, donor cars and parts scattered throughout the backyard.

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Some of the many vehicles over the years included:

• Holden Brougham

• Multiple Torana’s (including a 253-powered LJ GTR)

• EK Holden with a 202 conversion

• Dozens of VL’s

• HJ & WB One Tonners

 

HOLDENS THROUGH THE YEARS

Over the years, VL and VN sedans became reliable family transport, while Holden Utes and one-tonners were always the preferred company runabouts.

In 1993, a brand-new VR SS Ute joined the company fleet. It quickly clocked over 200,000 kilometres.

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Eventually, business needs took priority and the Ute was traded for an R-Series Mack truck.

But the Holden passion never disappeared.

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In 2006, a VE SS Ute went to work, around the same time, a VN SS was purchased purely for enjoyment, reigniting the excitement of owning a classic Holden V8, this is still in the back of the shed now, in fantastic condition.

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Then another VB Commodore SL/E was purchased..

Owning another VB over 30 years after the first one brought back memories and made one thing very clear - These cars deserved to be saved!

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Soon after came a VC V8, followed by more project cars, donor cars, and spare parts. Vehicles were being rescued from wrecking yards, scrap yards, neglect, rust, and the boy racers.

 

Originally, the plan was to restore them all – Yeah Right!

Reality has set in — there simply isn’t enough time or money to save every car, no matter how much I’d like too.

That’s where Commodore Salvage was born.

 

COMMODORE SALVAGE TODAY

Today, Commodore Salvage exists to help keep Holden vehicles alive by supplying genuine used parts and saving as many cars as possible from being lost forever.

Using a commodore tow vehicle is mandatory – a VU V8 was one, a Adventura LX8, VT V8 Berlina, VE SS Ute, anyone with a tow bar.

What started as a first car and a passion project eventually became a mission to preserve a piece of New Zealand and Australian motoring history.

Because once the Holden bug bites, it never really leaves.

 

SEE OUR SUCCESS STORIES

Over the years, many Holden vehicles have been saved, rebuilt, restored, and returned to the road using parts sourced through Commodore Salvage.

See some of them on Success To Date page