The Trafalgar Holden Museum has been keeping the memories of one of Australia's greatest companies alive since 2014 and now it is set to get a new showroom.
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The museum will receive funding through the Victorian government's Regional Tourism Investment Fund to build the showroom.
President Neil Joiner said the museum planned to use the showroom to showcase as many heritage Holden cars as they could acquire, including prototypes, one offs, or the first or 1 millionth of a given model.
"I think it's going to triple our visitation. We're already getting people coming from interstate to see what we're on about. This will be a massive added attraction for everybody," Neil said.
The museum currently has around 70 vehicles on display, the oldest of which is a 1923 Model T Ford, which was originally bodied by Holden.
It also boasts cars from a number of other popular companies that were bodied by Holden, including Chevrolets, Buicks, Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles.
It also features models of every Holden made from 1948-82, from the FX through to HZ, as well as a range of Commodores, Toranas, Monaros, and even a 1966 Holden hearse.
The museum also houses a range of Holden saddlery and leather work and a 40-foot army workboat that was made by Holden during WWII.
Those who prefer the kitchen to the garage will be impressed by the museum's kitchen, which is entirely fitted out with Holden appliances, including a fridge, dishwasher, stove and washing machine.
The museum was founded in 2014 by Neil and a group of other Holden enthusiasts.
A self confessed Holden "freak", Neil's fascination with the defunct auto manufacturer started around 20 years ago.
"I found an old FC 58 model Holden that was almost identical to my first Holden motorcar, so I bought it," he explained.
"Then I saw another one I liked and started to build up collection."
He had already acquired 15 Holdens by the time the museum opened and had built up a broad knowledge of the company's history.
"We don't realise what we've lost, and not just in terms of motoring either.
"If you look at the history of the company, it started as a saddle maker in 1859.
"The work done (by Holden) in all the wars is just incredible. During the Boer war, Holden made over 9000 saddles for war effort.
"We've got a book on what they (the company) did during World War II. They made everything from cannons, to boats, major aircraft structures, artillery and tanks."
"Holden employed 30,000 people at one stage. It's an unbelievable part of our history everyone should know about."
The museum is located in the West Gippsland region and the address is 74. It is open from 10am-5pm seven days a week.
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