More than 45 years after it was last used to patrol the roads around rural Carrick, a HZ Holden Kingswood has been restored to near-showroom condition and returned to Tasmania Police.
The police sedan was loaned to the Hobart Technical College in 1979 after it had been retired and, over the years, hundreds of students worked on the Kingswood as part of their training in motor trades.
The vehicle was moved from Hobart to Devonport about four years ago.
Now, an extensive mechanical and bodywork restoration by TasTAFE teachers and staff at Devonport, and involving local trades, has restored the Kingswood to its former glory.
North East Inspector Grant Twining, also president of the Tasmania Police Historical Group, said the return of the restored HZ would be a "great asset" to police and would be appreciated by not only current and former members, but also motoring enthusiasts.
"We've got a retired sergeant who was once the constable at Carrick who we are going to have to hold back with chains from getting in it, because it was his car," Inspector Twining said.
"It's going to get a lot of attention, not just within the police environment because it was a police car, but there are historic car clubs in the community that will take a great interest in this car because it represents a certain picture in time."
Inspector Twining said the police museum committee was proud to see the Kingswood return to the vehicle fleet.
"Everyone is invested in this car returning to Tasmania Police and being seen for what it is, which is a great asset to Tasmania Police and the state," he said.
The 1978 Kingswood served its time at Carrick, in Tasmania's North, and was driven by then-First Class Constable Steve Harrop for its entire career of 40,000km.
In 1979, then-Police Commissioner Max Robinson loaned the vehicle to Hobart Technical College, (TasTAFE) in whose possession the car remained for more than 40 years.
In 2019, the vehicle was assessed by TasTAFE staff as being no longer fit for purpose but, rather than discard it, TasTAFE agreed to make the vehicle a restoration project and return it to Tasmania Police.
Significant money and workshop hours have been invested into restoring the six-cylinder, 'three-on-the-tree' manual transmission Kingswood.
The engine, gearbox and driveline have been refurbished, it has period-correct hubcaps and has been painted in the original white colour.
The next stage is to transfer the vehicle from its Devonport TasTAFE workshop to Hobart, where it will be further fitted out with lights and signage typical of its appearance as a police vehicle in the late 1970s.
Tasmania Police Acting Assistant Commissioner Damien George said the HZ Kingswood would make a wonderful addition to the car fleet, and to the Tasmania Police Museum.
He thanked TasTAFE for its work in restoring the Kingswood and returning it to police.
"This generous contribution has enabled Tasmania Police to preserve and present the vehicle in its original livery, honouring its historical significance for future generations," he said.
RETURN TO DUTY: Retired police commander and secretary of the Tasmania Police Historical Group Steve Bonde, left, and North East Inspector and Tasmania Police Historical Group president Grant Twining, are thrilled that the 1978 HZ Kingswood is coming back to the fold. (Picture: Tasmania Police)
