Kingswood Reigns Supreme
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday August 21, 1999
EARLY-model Holden enthusiast Michael loves cars so much, a back-breaking motor-racing accident 16 years ago wasn't enough to steer him off course.
Michael, 44, injured his spine during a hill-climb race in 1983 in Canberra, leaving him an incomplete quadriplegic, reliant forever on four wheels for mobility.
He was an experienced driver, having competed in the race-against-the-clock events for the previous 11 years.
On that day in 1983, his Bowin Hay P6 open-wheeler crossed the finish line in the fastest time, setting a new track record.
But triumph turned to tragedy when Michael backed off the power, causing one wheel to lock. The car slammed backwards into a tree and the resulting whiplash damaged Michael's spine forever.
But Michael still attends the hill climbs - as a spectator - and is a member of so many car clubs, most of his weekends are taken up with meetings and events.
One of his prized possessions is a turquoise and white 1968 HK Kingswood with power steering and electric windows.
Michael can't drive it because it doesn't have hand controls but gets an enormous amount of pleasure from owning it.
He grew up with Holdens and appreciates the HK's nostalgia and style, in addition to its low mileage and spotless presentation.
When he and the family take it out to car-club events, Michael is content to sit in the passenger seat while his wife Maureen drives.
The Kingswood may not provide as comfortable a ride as his late-model Commodore ``hack", but it is his show pony and is cosseted as such.
Yes, Maureen can take the Kingswood. But it must be chamoised down after each outing before it is garaged.
© 1999 Illawarra Mercury