Lorraine Kennedy said she and husband Michael purchased their 1958 Chevrolet for love – not lustre.

“It’s as original, it was original when we got it, and we drive it at least two or three times a week,” she said.

“We didn’t buy it for a show car, we bought it for a car to enjoy. When people stop you and speak to you about your car, you get a big buzz.”

Mr Kennedy agreed – and said the car’s quality (and intelligent design) spoke for itself.

“I walked up a drive way (in Brisbane) and it was just sitting there,” he said.

“I said I was buying it – you could just see what it was.

“I love that it’s solid and reliable – and you can sit next to your woman, because there’s no seat-belts.”

Mrs Kennedy said it had never let them down.

“We drove it home from Queensland – we knew nothing about it, we didn’t even have a spanner with us, and it never skipped a beat,” she said.

“We actually slept in it on the way home, because it’s big enough – I slept on the front seat and Michael slept in the back.”

Father and son Warren and Pete Hellwig brought their pride and joy out for the day too.

“It’s an EH Holden, bought the 17^th of July 1964,” Mr Hellwig said.

“I walked through and watched it being built.”

Son Peter said the car had been all the family ever needed.

“Dad walked through the factory and watched every nut and bolt go on it – he worked at the factory when it was built, and bought it when it came out at the end of the production line,” he said.

“It was the best thing Holden had ever made at that stage. It’s done over a million kilometres.

“I’m 48, and it’s the only car I’ve ever known the family to own. I will inherit it, my son inherits it – it will last forever, it will never be sold.”