Fondly referred to as Alex Keir’s ‘first wife’ by his wife Wendy, this much-loved Kingswood ute is a treasured heirloom, brought out for special occasions and sunny-day family escapades.

Words Alex Keir 

My first car was a Kingswood ute. I purchased it at a clearing sale with my father when I was 17 so have always had an infinity to them. Coming off a farm, a ute was the logical choice as it was practical, and I could cart my dirt bike around on it. It was also good for sleeping in the back of when going away – it had everything you needed and nothing you didn’t need. So, when my Opa’s Kingswood was put up for sale after he passed away, I sold mine and purchased his. He had bought it new, and I had fond memories of riding with him in it as a child.

As with any typical old Holden it has had its share of rust removed and it’s been repainted, in its factory colour. When I first bought it, I stripped it right down and replaced all the suspension and bushes; and added a few go-fast and shiny bits to the motor, which was probably a rookie move as the Kingswood was never a fast machine, with a straight six 202 motor and three-on-the-tree gearbox.

Looking back, pulling it apart and restoring it was cathartic; a good distraction from running the farm after my father passed away. It was rewarding to see it improve and drive and handle more like a modern car.

I did however do all the typical things you do as a young male – added mag wheels with fat tyres, lowered it and put a throaty exhaust on. I also put on a bull bar and spotlights, as I liked the Australian B&S style, but now I’ve got old and weathered, I’ve grown out of those and am slowly putting it back to how it originally was. I think my Opa would have secretly liked it though, as he was a bit of a lad in his young days.

In its earlier life, Opa’s Kingswood used to cart around a Stag camper on the back. They were quite a big bulky thing (not very aerodynamic) and I always remember my Oma telling the story of how she had to back it up onto the ferry when they were crossing the Cook Strait with everyone guiding her on. It did a lot of trips around the country and never left them stranded.

The ute has become a family heirloom and I will never sell it. Our girls have been promised it one day so it will live on for another generation. It probably doesn’t get out as often as it should, but I’m planning on using it more and making memories in it with our young family. Wendy and I used it as our wedding car and it has very much become a large part of our family fabric. It’s something that’ll sit in the shed for six months at a time, and with some fresh fuel and the flick of the key it’s alive.

It might have its quirks and rattles, but I would happily hop in it and drive the length of the country with a smile on my face if I had to.