Holden • Find • State Library of South Australia

General Motors-Holden's employee badge

GM Holden Ltd, c. 1925, Realia, BRG 213/164/6

GMH employee lapel badge, with a roll over clasp on the verso, featuring General Motors logo on and the name 'General Motors-Holdens' across the top in raised embossing. The employee number 65714 appears printed on a paper insert through a window inside the badge.

Holden Hydra-Matic automatic transmission sales brochure

GM Holden Ltd, 1961, Manuscript, BRG 213/32/5/3

Product brochure advertising the Holden Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, with information on the systems special features and an explanation of gear selection uses.

Air Chief radio for Holden EH sales brochure

GM Holden Ltd, 1963, Manuscript, BRG 213/34/1/4

NASCO product brochure titled 'Travel the gay way' advertising the Air Chief transistor car radio for the Holden EH. Also advertising the Air Chief Portable transistor radio.

NASCO accessories for Holden FE brochure

GM Holden Ltd, 1957, Manuscript, BRG 213/29/3/2

Product brochure advertising approved NASCO accessories for the Holden FE, including the Air Chief car radio, car heater and demister, turn indicator lights, Coolaride cushion, windscreen sunshade, backing light, fender markers, venetian shade and many more interior and exterior additional extras.

Photographs by D. Darian Smith of production at General Motors-Holden's Limited Plants in South Australia

GM Holden Ltd, 1937, Photograph, BRG 213/207

Photographs relating to General Motors-Holden's Limited in South Australia, production and their Plants at Woodville, Birkenhead and Beverley. Includes images of the Plant at Finsbury. Comprising series described in D. Darian Smith's original index as 'Plant and Equipment', 'Dies and Jigs', 'Production Operation', 'Products', 'Miscellaneous', 'Copying' and 'Weld locations'. Includes photographs of production by GMH for the Defence Force during World War II. Also contains photographs of GMH associated South Australian manufacturing business Plants including those of Horwood Bagshaw Ltd., Mason & Cox steel foundry, Philmac Limited, Pope Products, Perry Engineering Limited, K. Bowes & Co., Wiles Chromium Company, Kelvinator Plant and Diecaster Plant.

Holden TX Gemini SL sports coupe sales leaflet

GM Holden Ltd, 1975, Manuscript, BRG 213/20/5/1

Product sales leaflet for the Holden TX Gemini SL Sports Coupe with 1600 OHC Isuzu engine, featuring information, images and an overview of features and accessories.

Holden display at the Adelaide Show

GM Holden Ltd, 1938, Photograph, BRG 213/207/5/4-6

Body by Holden' display featuring a 1939 Chevrolet and a Chevrolet body shell featuring the Unisteel Turret Top. Includes information and images of the Woodville Plant.

Holden sponsorship Sydney 2000 Olympics banner

GM Holden Ltd, 2000, Realia, BRG 213/203/6

Blue cloth banner displayed at Holden dealerships reading 'Sydney 2000' with Olympic rings and Sydney Olympics logo, and 'Official Automotive Partner' with the red and white Holden lion logo.

Elizabeth plant brochure: GMH Operations, South Australia 'The tour'

GM Holden Ltd, c. 1988, Manuscript, BRG 213/72/11/4

Brochure titled 'General Motors-Holden's Automotive Limited Operations, South Australia; The Tour, Elizabeth' containing information and images on the factory and production. Including the Stamping Plant, Plastics, Trim Fabrication, Fabrication Assembly, Fabrication Hardware, Assembly Division and Materials Management.

The Holden Story

GM Holden Ltd, 1988, Manuscript, BRG 213/79/3/6

Booklet to commemorate the Holden 40 Year Anniversary, from the 48-215 in 1948 to the VN Commodore in 1988. Contains captioned black and white photographs of Holden models across the 40 years, including commercially sold vehicles as well as experimental models such as the Hurricane and Torana GTR-X.

FC Holden Owner Manual

GM Holden Ltd, 1958, Manuscript, BRG 213/30/1

Owner manual for FC Holden, including sections on car features with photographs and diagrams, maintenance instructions, and list of authorised distributors of GMH parts and NASCO accessories.

HR Holden Owner Manual

GM Holden Ltd, 1967, Manuscript, BRG 213/36/6/1

Manual for HR Holden, including sections on Operating Instructions, Instrument Panel and Control, Fuel and Engine Lubrication, Maintenance and Lubrication, Guardian Maintenance Service, Maintaining Appearance and list of specifications. Includes drawings and diagrams.

Holden HQ

GM Holden Ltd, c. 1971, Artwork, BRG 213/167/22

Photograph of cartoon depicting a HQ Holden sedan being chased by a police motorcycle with the caption "The General always did make good moonshiner cars". Original work signed by the artist, RAM.

Holden's engine room under construction, Woodville

GM Holden Ltd, 1923, Photograph, BRG 213/1/3/98

Black and white photograph of eight men posing inside a building site at the Holden's Motor Body Builders limited site, amongst structural beams and metal parts. Caption reads 'Erection of Engine Room, Woodville Plant, 1923'.

Bow bending, Holden's Motor Body Builders, Woodville

GM Holden Ltd, c. 1920, Photograph, BRG 213/1/3/96-97

Black and white photographs of men working in the bow bending section, Plant 2 [two] in the Holden's Motor Body Builders Limited workshop at Woodville.

Working on car bodies at Holden's Motor Body Builders, King William Street

GM Holden Ltd, c. 1920, Photograph, BRG 213/1/3/59-60

Two black and white photographs of men sandblasting and painting automobiles at Holden's Motor Body Builders King William Street workshop.

Holden's Motor Body Builders plants.

GM Holden Ltd, c. 1920, Photograph, BRG 213/1/3/5-10

Black and white photographic copies of the HMBB factory at 400 King William Street and the plant at Woodville. Includes photographs of the King William Street building in the 1970s as Repco Auto Parts, and as David Jones Adelaide Limited.

Constructing cars in Holden's Motor Body Builders Limited workshops

GM Holden Ltd, c. 1919, Photograph, BRG 213/1/3/41-56

Black and white photographs of areas within Holden's Motor Body Builders Limited premises at 400 King William Street, Adelaide, and also in workshops believed to be at Halifax Street and Woodville. Includes images of men working on cars and vehicle bodies in varying stages of completion.

General Motors and Holden's Motor Body Builders merger

GM Holden Ltd, 1931, Photograph, BRG 213/1/3/108

Black and white photograph an article in The Advertiser regarding GM's merger with HMBB, dated February 19, 1931. Title of the article reads 'Holden's and General Motors, industrial merger announced, Woodville works still to operate as separate unit, details of the new scheme'.

WW1 leather pouch manufactured by Holden & Frost

GM Holden Ltd, 1916, Realia, BRG 213/1/20/1

Small light tan coloured leather pouch with a metal rivets and fastener, and textured leather on the reverse and surround. The words 'Holden & Frost 1916' are imprinted into the front panel, and a letter 'H' with an arrow underneath is imprinted at the end of the strap.

Holden's Motor Body Builders Limited, Peace Exhibition medals

GM Holden Ltd, 1920, Realia, BRG 213/1/18

Framed commemorative medals given to Holden's Motor Body Builders Limited by the South Australian Chamber of Manufactures Inc. The medals were framed and issued for the Peace Exhibition, Adelaide, and given to all who participated.

Letter of thanks from 'Annual International Exhibition' to J.A Holden

GM Holden Ltd, 1873, Photograph, BRG 213/1/2/1

A photographic negative of a letter of thanks from the Annual International Exhibition to J.A Holden regarding his contribution to the Exhibition in the United Kingdom, 1873, and requesting acceptance of a medal for taking part.

Award presented to Holden, 'E for Export' pennant

GM Holden Ltd, 1965, Realia, BRG 213/181/1

Replica of a metal "E for Export" pennant presented in 1965 to General Motors Holden's Pty Ltd as part of the Export Awards programme sponsored by The Associated Chambers of Manufactures of Australia' [from text on base]. The item was collected by Mr Wally Clarebrough, a former long serving employee in GMH management who served as Export Manager.