Holden driver Tim Slade had one of the sweetest rides in the Supercars parade through Hamilton on Thursday night.
The 33-year-old sat in Bill Kalb’s rare Australian-made Oldsmobile as the drivers cruised along Beaumont Street in cars from Newcastle Restored Vehicle Club.
The 1939 Oldsmobile Sports Roadster was made by Holden in Woodville, South Australia, for the Australian market. It cost 550 pounds to buy at the time.
“They only made 10. This one is the only fully restored one of the 10. It’s a very rare car,” Bill said as he stood waiting for Slade to finish an autograph session in Gregson Park.
“We’ve done extensive searches. We believe there is another one, but we’re not sure.
“Back in those days Holden made all sorts of cars. Fords, Willys, they made Vauxhalls, all sorts.”
Bill’s wife, Collene, climbed into the “dickie seat” of the convertible and Slade took his place beside the proud owner as the conga line of old Fords, Holdens and Datsuns rumbled out to an enthusiastic crowd lining the restaurant strip.
More than 1000 people turned out to meet the drivers in the first event of its kind for the Newcastle 500.
Bill, who lives at Warners Bay, bought the Oldsmobile 13 years ago from a friend on the Central Coast and restored it himself, though a friend painted it 1968 Mercedes red for him.
“The original colour was black, because back in those days everything was black,” he said.
Several hundred fans also turned out at a Supercars breakfast overlooking Newcastle beach on Thursday morning to raise money for the Hunter rescue helicopter.
Michael Parris
Michael Parris reports on politics for the Newcastle Herald. He started at the Herald in 1994 after working in the ABC Newcastle newsroom. Michael spent much of his career as a sub-editor before moving into political reporting in 2017. He was a finalist in the Sports Australia national media awards for his stories about a male-only tennis club in Newcastle. He has covered NSW and federal elections, state and federal budgets and local politics. He has also written extensively about the COVID-19 pandemic with a special focus on data analysis and the effects of lockdowns on the Hunter community.
Michael Parris reports on politics for the Newcastle Herald. He started at the Herald in 1994 after working in the ABC Newcastle newsroom. Michael spent much of his career as a sub-editor before moving into political reporting in 2017. He was a finalist in the Sports Australia national media awards for his stories about a male-only tennis club in Newcastle. He has covered NSW and federal elections, state and federal budgets and local politics. He has also written extensively about the COVID-19 pandemic with a special focus on data analysis and the effects of lockdowns on the Hunter community.
