A rare 1986 Holden VL Commodore restored by TAFE NSW students is set to go under the hammer, with proceeds to support the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.
The vehicle, once part of the Waltons Department Store fleet, has been painstakingly rebuilt over more than a decade by students at TAFE NSW Wollongbar.
Originally painted in the distinctive “Waltons Blue” (1B-807), a colour reserved exclusively for Waltons fleet vehicles, the Commodore was stripped back to a bare shell and rebuilt across multiple trades including mechanical, panel beating, paint and upholstery.
Automotive Head Teacher Kirk Trease said the restoration was carefully aligned with student learning over several years.
“Over the years, the restoration was broken down and timed to align to what the students were learning at the time,” Mr Trease said.
“This project helped build skills, and it also gave the students a sense of ownership, pride and respect.
“The students got the satisfaction of knowing their work will contribute to a better outcome for their community by raising funds for the helicopter service.”
Mr Trease’s connection to the vehicle stretches back decades. His name appears in the logbook after servicing the car himself as a young mechanic in the 1990s.
What began as an idea in 2015 gradually evolved into a full-scale restoration project, becoming both a training opportunity and a way to preserve a piece of Australian automotive history. The project took on added significance after Holden ceased Australian manufacturing in 2017.
The finished vehicle attracted strong interest when it appeared at the 2024 Ballina Show ‘n’ Shine, with discussions turning to how best to use the car to raise funds. The decision was ultimately made to auction it.
Westpac Rescue Helicopter Northern Rivers Regional Partnerships Officer John Bancroft, who has supported the project since its inception, said the funds raised would go directly towards frontline operations.
“This has been a long journey, and we’re incredibly grateful to the staff and students at TAFE NSW Wollongbar for their unwavering commitment,” Mr Bancroft said.
“The funds raised from the auction will directly support the lifesaving work of our Rescue Helicopter crews here at our Lismore base.”
The restoration has returned the Commodore to its original finish using premium PPG coatings, with the engine, interior, trim, glass and electrics all restored, replaced or refurbished to show-quality standard.
The auction marks the final chapter in a decade-long project that has blended vocational training, local history and community fundraising, with the helicopter service set to benefit from the result.
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