71GT: November 2011

What it is

· An XY GT- May 1971

· Factory Fitted Options

T. 351 CID 4V

L. Top Loader 4 speed

O. Yellow Ochre

B. Black Trim

· Options

16. Black Vinyl Roof

54.Dual Sports Mirrors

64. 36 Gallon Fuel Tank

72. Radio Tape Player

· Dealer – John McNicol Motors, Cooma NSW

1980

John purchased the car

2004

24 years later…

HISTORY OF CAR/OWNER

First registered in 1971 in ACT – YES 351 Owner not known

Vehicle then was sold to a gentleman in Albion Park Sydney

John purchased the car in 1980

2011 new owner – ME (Ron)

History of John (known as Taddy) – the Bushman

Taddy first purchased what he believed was a matching number GT.HO Phase 111 in Parramatta NSW in 1978 which he owned for a short time before being involved in a major fatal accident where a Holden Panel Van veered into the back of Taddy’s stationary GT where it then burst into flames – John & his wife escaped but the driver side passenger was killed

The Aftermath

The memories

After this Taddy purchased a mock up XY GT which he said was a bit of a shitter

He soon moved this on as his passion was to find a genuine XY GT

Taddy went to Sydney and was told of a nice genuine GT that was for sale in Albion Park

After looking at the car (he hated the colour) he preceded to look for other GT’s

However he kept coming back to this particular GT because of it’s immaculate condition

He went back 5 times to look at the car

The owner said there were other people looking at the car

Taddy bought the car even though it was not his choice of colour but it grew on him as it was such a good reliable honest car

The car then spent it’s time travelling from Bombala to Delegate where he worked as a tree faller
In January 1983, he spent 6 months in hospital in ACT after a bush accident & could no longer work as a timber faller

He continued to use the GT as an everyday driver up until 1997 where the paint work and the vinyl roof was deteriorating.

So he decided to park the vehicle in a stable
shed for a short period of time and then it was moved to outside underneath a tree next to the house – where it sat from 1997 to 2011
His intention was that he would do the vehicle up one day but because he could not work he did not have the funds

In 2007 he was diagnosed with cancer and given 3 months to live – but typical of a true bushman he is still going strong

In 2011 Taddy contacted me to tell me about his illness and ask whether I was still interested in buying the car as he felt I was meant to have it
Before he would sell it to me he wanted to know what I would do with it, and he let me know there were 3 other parties interested.
Finally Taddy sold it to me because he knew I was passionate about the car & it’s history; not looking at turning it over for financial gain; and wanted to share his life story with this car and with people of similar passions for cars with history

As part of persuading Taddy that I was passionate - I took along my mate who also shares my commitment to preserving the history of these special cars