Pristine Premier

By Jade Lawton
LEN Parnall, from Nangana, remembers the date he bought his Holden HG Premier – it was 7 October 1971 and he paid $4060 for it.
He remembers this because the original receipt is still sitting in the glove box.
It is in pristine condition, despite starting out as the family car and serving the Parnalls on road trips to Queensland, Ayers Rock, Mildura, Adelaide and Sydney.
“It’s really quite a feat, considering we had young kids in the car. But it’s been looked after, always kept in the shed,” he said.
The Premier has clocked up 140,000 miles and never had an accident – although it has had a few minor dings.
“Other people have run in to it. It’s just been repainted after my brother-in-law backed in to it,” he said.
Mr Parnall said the car had never been remodelled or rebuilt and had had no modifications.
“I’ve changed the tyres and the battery, of course, but I think they should stay how they were designed to be.
“It would be good to install safer braking and steering, but I just drive accordingly,” he said.
About five years ago Mr Parnall came across the perfect finishing touch for the car.
An elderly lady had sent a letter to the Baw Baw Old Engine and Auto Club, of which Mr Parnall is a member, explaining her husband had just died and she was looking to sell their 1959 Road Haven caravan
Mr Parnall wasn’t in the market for a caravan, but found himself working in San Remo and decided to have a look.
“I had no intentions really of buying it, but the craftsmanship was spectacular.
“It was never restored, but the old fella must have treated it like one of the family,” he said.
“Only 194 of them were built; they were only-order jobs and were expensive, they were the Rolls-Royce of the day.”
The caravan is 12 feet long, seven feet wide and has all the original fittings.
While it is kept in showroom condition, the caravan is also functional and has taken Len and his wife Lorraine on trips to Cape Otway and Donald.
Mr Parnall has bought and sold other cars since he purchased the HG Premier, but will never sell the car.
“I’ve worked hard and I’ve been fortunate enough to never have gotten in to the position where I’ve had to sell it,” he said.
>>> Have you got a gem in your garage? It can be a shiny new machine or a much-loved classic. Get your car into Me and My Car by phoning 5945 0666 or by contacting the Gazette at editor@starnewsgroup.com.au on email.