Holden Treasures tells the unique story of the first ten Holden models from the 1946 prototypes to the 1966 HR. The chapters feature these Holden vehicles in their current or recent states as well as including historic images of the vehicles in their heyday. It incorporates over 500 outstanding black-and-white photographs and colour slides, all assembled through Loffler’s devoted and persistent research in automotive social history.
Read on for a sneak peek into the pages of this painstaking labour of love by Don Loffler.
From page 110:
Eddie Sams’s ambulance, which began its life as an FJ panel van, is the only one of its kind to have been fully restored. What gives it additional status is that much of the original first-aid equipment was donated by Mrs Victoria Wadey, whose husband, Fred,
had been the 
superintendent/ secretary of the Temora District Ambulance Service in New South Wales and had taken delivery of the ambulance in April 1956. The colourful history of this vehicle is told in my book The FJ Holden. The ambulance is much travelled and is often seen at interstate car shows, where it attracts great attention.
From pages 132–134:
‘Igor’ the FB campervan (pictured below in June 2012)
The story of this unique vehicle is best told in the words of Omar Grass, the third owner, who wrote the following description when he was advertising it for sale in 1989: ‘I purchased the van in 1985 for $3000 from a local chap who had bought it from the original owner/builder four years previous to this, so it has had only three owners. The original owner was a retired engineer, who used his low-mileage station wago
n as a base for this camper.
‘It’s very evident that everything was done with lots of love, care and attention to detail. For example, the rear end was re-engineered to suit a two-ton Ford Transit double-wheel rear axle, whose propeller shaft connects with a five-speed Toyota Celica gearbox. This is all driven by a Red 179 Holden motor. The brakes are servo assisted with extra large Repco drums on the front.
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‘The bull bar itself is an engineer’s work of art! It incorporates room for a 10-kilogram gas bottle and two 20-litre jerry cans. It’s a very soundly designed and built car. ‘The camper section is set up as a four-berth and is complete with built-in cupboards, stove, three-way fridge, stainless steel sink, water tank and table. Overall length of vehicle is 171/2 feet (including bull bar).’
After using the van for travelling around South Australia for two years, Omar decided to have some restoration work done on the vehicle by a professional panel worker. Rust and dents were removed from the FB section and all panels were given a bare metal respray. The restorer commented on how little filler there was in the panels. No work had to be done on the rear section. The engine and the gearbox, however, were overhauled, with many new parts being fitted. After four years of ownership, Omar sold the campervan to Gilbert Hallett of Castlemaine, Victoria, who later sold it to Roger and Lesley Johnston of Mount Gambier, South Australia.
From page 140:
During their working lives, the brothers Alex and David Hughes rescued many an early model Holden from impending oblivion, restoring most of them to stock form and creating a few one-off special versions, an example of which can be seen above. The starting point was an HR sedan, making for a smart-looking vehicle.
Alex writes: It had been in a rollover and was quite damaged. It had such a first-class floor pan that we didn’t like scrapping it. We didn’t like throwing anything away if we could use it for another project, so we decided to make this one into a convertible.
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Some people guess that Don Loffler is the son or relative of a Holden dealer, or a former Holden factory employee, or someone closely connected with the motor trade. He is none of these, but a retired German, Latin and Chemistry teacher, who is enjoying the process of writing books on his passion – the early Holden models and the history behind them.
Born in Kapunda, South Australia, Don gained an Arts degree and two Education diplomas from the University of Adelaide. His late wife, also a graduate with similar degrees from the same university, was his inspiration in the initial years of his book writing, and the tradition is now maintained by his son Michael and daughter Helen.
Don Loffler regards himself as fortunate indeed to be writing three more books featuring all makes of car on Australian roads in the 40s, 50s, and 60s. In addition, he is preparing a third edition of his original book, She’s a Beauty!.
To find out more about the book, or to purchase a copy, visit us in our bookshop at 16 Rose street, Mile End, or find it online.
