From the weekends Sunday Telegraph.
Holden collector Charlie McCarron to sell his rare cars at auction in Canowindra, near Cowra in NSWCharlie McCarron (pictured) started running the Holden Dealership way back in 1959 and has run Canowindra Motors since that time.
Charlie McCarron’s obsession with Holden is about to pay dividends.
The 84-year-old began collecting Holdens in 1970, when after a decade-long search he tracked down a mint condition version of Holden’s first car, the 48/215.
The car was in Adelaide and Charlie lived in country NSW. He also couldn’t afford the asking price of $875. Undeterred, he talked the owner down to $575, flew down to Adelaide and drove the car home. When it goes under the hammer later this year, the 1948 Holden is expected to fetch more than $300,000.
Charlie McCarron (pictured) started running a Holden dealership in 1959 and has run Canowindra Motors since that time.
That car, the 46th car to roll of the first Holden production line, was the first of more than 60 Holdens he has lovingly restored and keeps in his former Holden dealership in Canowindra, near Cowra.
The collection, which will go under the hammer later this year, is believed to be worth more than $1.5 million.
HOLDEN TORANA GTR XU1. Comprehensive collection of 60 historic Holdens go up for auction in the country town of Canowindra. Charlie McCarron (pictured) started running the Holden Dealership way back in 1959 and has run Canowindra Motors since that time…his passion for motor cars and all thing Holden developed in the early years and his car collecting started in 1970 when he decided to try and buy the oldest and cleanest Holden available. He spotted the 46th built 48/215 located in Adelaide the car was priced at $875 which Charlie thought was to dear…he negotiated the price back to $575 flew to Adelaide and drove it home. The rest is history and from that point on its been his pride and joy. Only 22,000 original miles and has been seen on TV more than one occasion. It was driven by Peter Brock around Bathurst the year Holden turned 50….it’s an Australian Motor Car icon and is considered Holdens best survivor being completely original and in immaculate condition. There’s approx. 60 cars to go under the hammer including a mint condition green FX Ute 50/2106 which Charlie purchased in 1984 with only 34,118 miles on the clock, a 1937 Australian built Chevrolet with 99,000 miles on the clock and complete in all respects with no rust which was purchased by Charlie in 1966, a mint condition HR ute with only 47,866 miles and a own owner car. The ladies drivers license is still in the glove box and the list goes on and on. Picture: Steve Mullarkey
While the 48 is the jewel in the crown, several others in the collection are expected to bring good money, including a 1972 Bathurst-spec Holden Torana XU-1 signed by Peter Brock and a 1968 Holden GTS Monaro.
The rarest car in the collection is a 1937 Chevrolet built by Holden for General Motors after the American giant bought the local Holden business.
A 1937 Australian built Chevrolet with 99,000 miles on the clock and complete in all respects with no rust which was purchased by Charlie in 1966. Picture: Steve Mullarkey
Charlie says his love affair with Holden started when he took over the local dealership in Canowindra.
“I’ve been a Holden dealer for 42 years and it all just grew from there,” he says.
Although the 48 is the most valuable, Charlie doesn’t give it any special treatment.
“I don’t have any favourites,” he says.
He has spent countless hours keeping his collection in mint condition, but feels the time is right to sell.
The Holden 48-215 FX UTE and Holden HD Sedan in Charlie’s colection.
It gets to a stage where, when you’re going on 84 years of age, it’s time to pull the pin,” he says.
But while he’s getting out of the Holden business, he doesn’t think the Government should be.
“It’s a bloody shame,” he says of Holden’s decision to pull out of local manufacturing from next year.
“I think it’s ridiculous not to put the money in to keep it going but the politicians don’t really care much about history,” he says.
The 1968 HK Holden GTS Monaro that Charlie also owns.
For all his undeniable devotion to Holden, Charlie has a dirty little secret hidden in the back of his workshop — a gold 1979 XD Falcon he bought back in 2000.
“It came in for trade at the dealership and I hung on to it. They’re pretty good things the Falcons, and the Valiants,” he says.
For those Holden fans whose budget can’t stretch to a classic car, the auction will also have shop signs, memorabilia, owners’ manuals and spare parts.
The auction is scheduled for early October and cars can be viewed online at burnsandco.com.au.
Charlie’s collection highlights:
Holden 48/215
Built: 1948
Bought in: 1970
Paid: $575
Now worth: Over $300,000
Chevrolet Roadster
Built: 1937
Bought in: 1966
Worth: $60,000-plus
The comprehensive collection of 60 historic Holdens go up for auction. Picture: Steve Mullarkey
The comprehensive collection of 60 historic Holdens go up for auction. Picture: Steve MullarkeySource:Supplied
Holden FX utility
Built: 1953
Bought in: 1984
Worth: $50,000-plus
HK Holden GTS Monaro
Built: 1968
Bought in: 2000
Worth: $70,000-plus
Charlie’s Holden Torana GTR XU-1.
LJ Holden Torana XU-1
Built: 1972
Bought in: 2005
Worth: $100,000 plus
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