GM Holden Boss In Classic Buy
By MURRAY HUBBARD
Remember the story of the bloke who
liked the shaver so much he bought the company? Well, there's a new twist to this
logic. GM Holden's vice president and
chairman, Mark Reuss, liked the company so much he bought the car. Not just any Holden: a classic.
An immaculate 1956 FC Holden.
He spokes to us about the car on the
assurance he would be portrayed as a car buff, not a car salesman.
In fact, it's Mark's second Holden
classic since arriving in Australia to take the reins of the company
that produces `Australia's Own' on February 1, 2008.
The first, was indeed the first. A
48-215 or FX Holden, the car that launched the Holden name in
Australian-made mass produced cars in 1948.
He later sold the FX and it was
replaced by this magnificent example of the FC.
Mark showed us around the car at the
conclusion of the launch of the new Holden Cruze. When we arrived at the launch his car
was parked obscurely with all the other Holdens. The only clue to its owner was the
number plate: GMHMLR. Like any Holden fan, he's glad to have
found an unmolested early-model car in near original condition.
“Look at the interior, it's original,
just magnificent,” he said. We look, and it is.
He lifts the bonnet and it's as clean
under there as the latest Commodore rolling off the production line. The `grey' motor is still grey and the
firewall black and clean. It really is a nice car. It all looks fresh and new. Even the bonnet springs are immaculate,
as is the large round air filter atop the carby.
“I've been doing work on it for a
while now,” he said.
“But there's still a way to go.” He looks again at the interior.
“I put in seat belts for obvious
reasons, but that's about all I've done to the in there.”
The car was apparently give a respray a
couple of years ago and the exterior looks fantastic
with white over bright red, separated by the flash down the side.
The car's lines are as straight as a
dye. In that late afternoon Melbourne Sun,
the chrome glistens off the wide grille, which bears the hallmarks of
a close relative of Chevrolet. Mark's enthusiasm for the car borders
on the infectious. He will talk all day about it. That
he's a car enthusiast is not doubted. And while he spends whatever
time in Australia GM allows, he's making the most of the Australian
experience. Part of that is taking in the history
of GMH first hand.
“He's been really quick to pick up on
what Australia is all about,” said a GMH manager.
Earlier he conducted the media `walk
around' the new Cruze talking about the technicalities of the car and
the hidden build quality. This is an unusual occurrence from any
head of an Australian car company. Yet, he does it with ease, and
with passion. It is refreshing.
It should come as no surprise as he has
a degree in engineering, which has been used extensively at GM, as
well as a masters degree in business administration. As an engineer he has worked in the
field on NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness), been a project engineer
in the development of ride and handling for GM luxury brands and was
executive director of MGM's performance
division in June 2001.
For now though, he is the man guiding
GM Holden though it's roughest patch since Holden started making cars
back in 1948, or perhaps since GM took over Holden in the early
1930s. The remarkable side of this is that
despite his obvious day-to-day involvement with GM and it's current
situation, he is looking to the past, at Holden's roots, to
understand the company, its history and its products.
If ever Holden need a leader with
passion for the product, the time is now.
FEEDBACK:
Hi Mark, great car you should be proud to own. I may be a little rude but i
think you will appreciate my asking. My father in law owns and is currently
restoring to original cond an Fc s/wagon. It is not your standard wagon though.
it is a two door with a `dickie' seat in the rear! allegedly Holden only made
half a doz or so. I am trying to obtain as much info for him as possible. The
body is FC 2104-9909-A In the right hand guard is a serial no. FC6530-6S. Trim
is 194-653. Any help with this rare piece of Holden history would be
appreciated. Regards and safe motoring.
User Name: Col
Chaffey
User Email: mcchaffey@hotmail.com.au
Col,
Unfortunately Mark moved back to the US late last year, taking his beloved FC with him. If anyone can help Col with his query please email us at mister-cars. We grew up in the 1950s and have never heard of the vehicle Col has mentioned.
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