Holden’s journey from a 19th-century saddlery to one of Australia’s most recognisable automotive brands is currently being explored in a free exhibition at the National Archives of Australia in Canberra.

Rear vision: the Holden collection brings together historic vehicles, components, documents, photographs and other memorabilia charting the rise and eventual closure of the Australian manufacturer.

Originally developed by the State Library of South Australia in partnership with Adelaide University, the exhibition has travelled to Canberra with material drawn from the library’s extensive Holden archives and has been on display – forgive our tardiness – since June.

Vintage green Holden Torana GTR XU-1 on a dirt lot with two women nearby and promotional banners in the background (car show/ads).
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It traces the company’s beginnings as a saddlery business in Adelaide, its involvement in military production during the Second World War and the development of the first Holden-badged Australian car.

The story continues through Holden’s decades as a major local manufacturer and cultural fixture, before local vehicle production ended with the closure of its Elizabeth factory in South Australia in 2017.

Among the rarities on display are the first and last engines produced by Holden, a Monaro Tri-Matic gearbox, custom paint and trim samples, fibreglass and Lego model cars and the original bronze Holden lion statue that once stood at the entrance to the Elizabeth plant.

The Canberra exhibition also incorporates material from the National Archives collection, including patents, advertising, industrial relations records and documents examining the campaign by female employees for equal pay.

National Archives Director-General Simon Froude said the exhibition demonstrated how historical documents could continue to capture public interest and help tell stories that have shaped Australia.

Large group of people posing in front of Holden's Motor Body Builders Limited storefront with the sign 'Standardised Motor Body Works' above the entrance.
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Contributions from former Holden employees provide another perspective, offering personal insights into the people behind the company and its changing fortunes.

Rear vision: the Holden collection is free and open daily at the National Archives of Australia, Kings Avenue, Parkes, Canberra.

The exhibition runs until January 31, 2027, with daily gallery talks and a program of associated events and activities.