Like many motoring enthusiasts, Phil has been interested in cars from an early age, from making plastic model cars to being an avid follower of Australian Motorsport. Today in a typical suburban garage that he calls his sanctuary, Phil has a beautiful display of motoring memorabilia he has collected over his lifetime. A place that he can sit and reflect on the history and escape from the normal day-to-day.
It's here in Phil's sanctuary that something caught Fletch's eye. It was a tribute wall, a series of 28 photos of every car that Phil has owned, past and present over the journey. There are Holdens, Holdens and more Holdens, every model you can think of plus a splattering of BMW's, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Bolwells. Fletch puts Phil under the hammer to give a brief anecdote on every vehicle, good, bad or indifferent.
There are a few standouts, a 1971 Holden HQ 350 V8 4-speed Monaro Coupe that he thinks is the best-designed car Australia ever built. In 2021 the HQ celebrates its 50th year and still looks the goods. Next is his Torana GTR-XU1 Replica, which stems from his love of motorsport and the great success they had in their time. He says that driving them is not easy, no power steering, but you know you're driving in an XU-1.
Another Holden is 1980 VC Brock Commodore that he purchased 17 years ago and has driven over 100,000 Kms including an around Australia event with other Brock Commodore enthusiasts. Phil believes these cars are to be driven and not just put away in a corner gathering dust. He loves nothing more than getting out in them, windows down, and hearing the sound of the V8 engine - it brings back memories of simpler times and cooler cars.
