The ute that started it all

**ambientgoat** · 24-12-2011, 05:24 PM

So, back when I was 18 I drove a 1984 KB laser ghia, had all the trimmings even the 1.6L 5 speed power machine.

Now I’ve got a good mate Hum I went to school with, bit of an adventurer this bloke. Tried to ring him this year but he wasn’t available as he was travelling the back roads of Alaska seeing the northern lights. He got on a push bike a few years back and rode the width of Australia for something to do.

Back when we were 18 he decided what he’d do was get in a kayak and travel the length of the river Murray. Being new to the adventuring game he roped in mates to one week stints in a support boat. My mate Scott and I rocked up to do our stint in the support boat to find some friendly person had stolen the motor while the boat was moored up overnight.

Hum said not to worry, we’ll just support by following in his grandfathers old ute, so I climbed out of the laser and plied into the HZ and that’s when the trouble started.... Had my first Kingswood a couple of months later.

Anyway, Hum came past in his grandfathers ute today to say hi, so we had a bit of a photo shoot. The old girl is in need or restoration these days, but still going strong. Good example of factory original with 31 years of wear and tear.

The best quote I have regarding this ute is when Hum finally made it to the Murray mouth after 3 months of paddling, I was standing next to his grandad and he turned to me and said ‘I dunno who I’m happier to see, hum or the ute’

**wbute** · 24-12-2011, 09:57 PM

Cool story! Ute still looks good. So does the van!

**RodneyHZ253** · 24-12-2011, 10:01 PM

Goat the old ute ute looks great and original but i'am more partial to your van but its really great to catch up with old mates

**Robbo** · 24-12-2011, 11:06 PM

That's the way, holden ute's go the distance and then some.

**humsbum** · 28-12-2011, 05:38 PM

G'day Goat,

Thanks for taking the photos of the old girl. I was thinking about significant trips and times in the ute before and after you drove it on the Murray :

1985; sleeping in the tray when camping out at Victor Harbour
1987; the trip to the beach on the good old poo brown vinyl - always good to have a spare towel laid down
1995; learning to drive with Grandpa. Nothing like starting with 202 cubic inches.
2000; driving to Sydney in a night, then back a day later, and watching the speedo click over 144,444km on the Hay Plain at 3am.
2001; reclining with selected special ladies on the bench seat out the back of the pub on any given Saturday night (well at least twice anyway!)
2001; surfing on the back of a log towed behind the old girl
2005; lots and lots of circle work
2010; driving my sister to her wedding in it and walking her up the aisle.

This is more than a vehicle - it's been part of my whole family's life for thirty years! I am saving up the million bucks to restore her so the next generation can enjoy it too!

Cheers,
Hum.

**ambientgoat** · 31-12-2014, 01:59 PM

So Hum sent me a message on boxing day;

'My sister needs her driveway back, I'm in a rental in Melbourne, I'm going to put it on gumtree unless you know a club that wants it for parts'

Those that know me, know I'm far to sentimental. The idea of it being crushed wasn't somthing I could do, so now she sits in my shed on axle stands having the cancer removed after some time parked under a tree.

**mr.jones** · 31-12-2014, 03:39 PM

Nice work Goat and a great story to boot. Did the old boy work for the Highways Dept or did he pick it up at auction?

**ambientgoat** · 31-12-2014, 03:45 PM

Picked it up at auction. Believe he ran a farm out near esperance somewhere.
I'll have to see if I can get Hum to log in and confirm.

Must be right near the end of the HZ run being from 1980