In 1979, Ross placed a special order with the Holden factory for a custom-built HZ Holden Kingswood. His request? A stunning Atlantis Blue paint job, a powerful 308 V8 engine, and a GTS dash to top it off. It took six months of eager waiting before the car was delivered to him, and ever since, it had been his pride and joy.
The HZ Kingswood wasn’t just a car to Ross—it was a companion. It became part of his daily life, accompanying him everywhere without fail. The vehicle seldom gave him any trouble, and Ross, being a hands-on car enthusiast, did all of the servicing himself. He maintained it in immaculate condition, treating it with such care that he never even allowed his children to drive it, fearing any potential damage.
Over the years, Ross owned several other Holdens, but none ever held a place in his heart like the Kingswood.
A Devastating Loss
However, Ross’ long-standing relationship with his beloved Kingswood came to a tragic end recently. While visiting his son’s house and staying the night, an unknown thief broke into his garage. Armed with a spare battery, they stole the HZ Holden, leaving Ross devastated.
The theft garnered media attention, and after five agonizing days, the police located the car in the Menzies Creek area. But the discovery came with heartbreak—the thieves had torched the interior, leaving the once-pristine Kingswood severely damaged.
Although Ross had insured the car, it was not enough to cover its true sentimental and market value. This incident serves as a sobering reminder: always check the value of your vehicle to ensure you are adequately covered.
The Heartbreak and Hope
The loss of the Kingswood has taken an emotional toll on Ross. For him, the car was more than a mode of transportation—it was the love of his life. Seeing it reduced to a charred shell broke his heart. However, there is hope on the horizon, thanks to the support of the Melbourne car community and Ross’ dedicated son, Alf.
Alf has been rallying support from local businesses and car enthusiasts to help restore the Kingswood to its former glory. A touching gesture came from the Bole family, who owned a similar HZ Holden Kingswood from the same year and in the same Atlantis Blue color. Although it had a 6-cylinder engine instead of the V8, they generously offered Alf first rights to purchase the car, which he gratefully accepted.
The Restoration Effort
Restoring a classic car, especially one as beloved as Ross’ HZ Kingswood, is no small feat. It involves sourcing hard-to-find parts like a GTS dash, rebuilding the engine, extensive labor, and much more. Thankfully, several businesses have already stepped forward to assist, but more support is needed to fully complete the project.
The goal is to have the car fully restored and running by Christmas, so Ross can once again be reunited with the vehicle that means so much to him.
How You Can Help
The family has set up a GoFundMe page titled “Restore It For Ross” to help cover the costs of the restoration. If you can contribute, no matter how small, it would be greatly appreciated by Ross and his family. Every bit of support brings them one step closer to reviving the Kingswood and restoring Ross’ joy.
Special Thanks
A huge thanks goes out to the businesses and individuals who have already lent their support to this effort:
- Splatt Engineering
- M&G Motors
- Dandy Engines
- PPG Paints
- Rare Spares
- American Graffiti Restorations
These businesses have been pivotal in helping bring this dream to life. If you’d like to help, either by donating or offering services, please reach out or donate to the GoFundMe page Restore It For Ross.
Let’s all come together to bring Ross’ pride and joy back to life and give him the gift of reuniting with his beloved HZ Holden Kingswood.
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