Harvey's Rare EH Holdens - Classic Restos: Series 46
As Fletch moves his way through Canberra and the ACT, he discovers an incredible EH Holden.
Owner Harvey Miles talks of his history, shed, memorabilia and love of cars.
Particularly EH and EJ Holdens, around 40 years ago he found a really rare EH, the rarest in the world.
Harvey’s EH Holden gives Fletch goosebumps, nicknamed “Blondie” by the assembly line staff in GMH in Adelaide, South Australia. It was commissioned for GM’s general manager in America, who was coming to run the plant in South Australia. The management at Woodville requested the car to be painted “DuPont Cadillac Pink” to resemble the Cadillac he was driving back in America. The car was also fitted with power steering and automatic transmission, the trim is spec-c46 specially ordered bone leather and vinyl from Germany and the paint is #5680000.
In 1964 the car was presented to the general manager at the Royal Adelaide Show. Upon his return to America, the car was then sold to Freeman Motors. Freeman Motors then sold the car to Mr Ray Wright a local from Adelaide for around £1,300 which equates to about $2,300. In June of 1966 “Blondie” was resold to a work colleague, Ron Wells for £1,000 which equated to about $1,800. In 1983 Harvey saw the neglected car for sale in the Canberra suburb of Western and purchased it with its original South Australian plates 345-040. Harvey didn’t believe that Cadillac pink was the original colour and after a lot of investigation, he eventually contacted the original owner who confirmed it was. In 2011 Harvey and Bob Harris commenced restoration of this extraordinary car, however, it was put on hold until his Holden S4 was completed. In April 2018 the restoration of “Blondie” finally recommenced and was finished in December 2018. Incredibly history and background making this EH, the only one in the world.
Harvey expands on the love of his shed and the collectables, memorabilia and parts. As Harvey says “The importance of having a shed, is you’ve got somewhere to go... I’ll come out here look around and I’m always tinkering doing something. If I’m not cleaning, I look at the cars and I have smile on my face and it’s great. You’ve got to have something to work on and live for and that’s what it’s all about for me.”
Harvey's other cars include a left-hand drive 1954 Chevrolet Pickup out of America and a Holden EH S4.
The S4 is another very rare Holden, it was technically the first muscle car that rolled off the factory assembly line from Holden. Fletch and Harvey discuss the incredibly minor changes from the standard 179 EH, and the feeling Harvey gets driving such an iconic car as this S4. Harvey knows there are approximately 13 of the cars left and you’ll never see them again. He says these cars have got to be preserved and looked after, you get so much satisfaction out of showing them and talking about them. That’s what it’s all about.
Fletch comments on Harvey’s attention to detail and wealth of knowledge, it’s fantastic. His pink EH and the S4 both preserved beautifully. Harvey is known to be the first to offer assistance, information and help to anybody with their EH. It a great skill to have. A very humble Harvey acknowledges he is still leaning and he has received a lot of help over the years.
Comments
DrJohnWright
Extraordinary!
NicholasBrien
Hi If you would like to phone me I can arrange to show photos and lot of history I have on the S4
John Terry
5 Hume ST. Chifley NSW 2036 Mobile 0418231728
Nicholas Brein is facebook name, they would not let me use John Terry they said not real name
PonyRider
Nicholas, It would be great to see photos of your S4 in this Forum if you have the time ?
NicholasBrien
Hi I owned a 1963 white EH S4
I with help completely stripped it to a bare shell, including dash subframe interior etc
mechanically everything was reconditioned (engine) or rebuilt
I have the origonal photos I took
It also featured in a five page article modern motor
magazine in about 1989 I have a copy of this article
I took it to the muscle car show at Bathurst where there were four other EH S4
I probably have other information
Thanks
John Terry
5 Hume Street Chifley NSW 2036 Mobile 0418231728
paulbinghamtr1
We are Custodian of these Vehicles
We need to make sure that we don’t lose the History of these Vehicles
So let’s keep as much History as we can that’s all History for everyone
So Don’t let us throw away our History
once gone that’s for ever
Well done Harvey
Never too far in TR
Blinkie1
So true paulbinghamtr1.
PonyRider
Good to hear Blinkie, glad you're okay,
we are survivors aren't we Mate ! 😃
Blinkie1
For sure bro and as they say only the good depart young so we must be even better aye!
Keep on keeping on bro.
PonyRider
A Hello to Blinkie, hope you are keeping safe and well Bro !
Blinkie1
I'm well thanks bro and yourself? Happy new year and hey lets hope it improves and real soon aye!
PonyRider
Hey Fletch, Harvey is such a likeable bloke isn't he ?
He's a Holden man and although I am primarily a Ford man
I just loved the S4, such an iconic model.
Bench Seats are so cool.
When you think back to when an S4 EH was tortured and thrown around by "Stormin' Norman" Beechey it is fabulous to see one beautifully restored by Harvey.
Thank you Fletch, stay happy.
Photo of one of Beechey's S4 Holdens Below:
Blinkie1
That look a beaut there Pony and hey thanks for sharing mate.
carnut_73
G'day Fletch. Happy 2021! Another ripper Classic Restos. As EH Holdens go, this is the best looking I'd seen. I love the colour. I love the accessories. I also love the Holden memorabilia. The only thing missing from the EH would be colour matched sunshade above the windscreen. If I were offered such a car, or even its predecessor, the EJ Holden, I would've taken it back to the USA with me. :)
Blinkie1
Happy new year Carnut_73 for you and yours. You know I agree with everything regarding the EH bro.
Stay safe, healthy & happy at this time.
carnut_73
Hey Blinkie. Thanks. I hope y'all are well. Not being from Australia, I regret that I've never had the opportunity to see such an Iconic Aussie built car.
Blinkie1
Yes I'm as well as can be expected for an old fuller Carnut_73 and you I hope on top of it all aye! Thanks for asking mate.
carnut_73
Same here, thanks. Despite cases of Covid causing havoc on my part of the world, there are still those of us who are doing what we can to stay safe and healthy. :)
Blinkie1
Happy New Year Fletch to you & Yours. Well what a score, two awesome looking EH's both looking equally as stunning inside as they do outside and under the hood.
The one painted “DuPont Cadillac Pink" looks real cool as it suits it to a tee! Harvey is a top block to by the sounds of things Fletch so thanks for sharing once again mate.
Cheers
Blinkie1