FATHER TIME

I saw the new ZB Commodore on the road for the first time the other day. I had my 11-yearold son in the car with me, and it took me back to the first time I ever saw the new VK Commodore, ironically when I was also aged 11.

My late father was a mechanic in the Torana era of HDT, and as a result, Ray Borrett had brought the first VK Calais with the electronic dashboard down to dad’s factory after-hours.

I can remember it driving down the long driveway towards us. Two-tone bronze over silver, with brown, diagonal-pattern leather seats.

I also remember being slightly disappointed that it was the six. I had hoped for the eight, but it really didn’t matter. It was a new Commodore, and I saw it and sat in it before all my mates at school. This was 34 years ago, but such was the impact, it could have been yesterday. I can see it as I write this.

I said to my son, “Look, that’s the new Commodore,” and he looked, and said “Cool!”, but didn’t sound like he meant it. I said “Yeah!” But neither did I. It’s just not the same.

I felt a brief pang of sadness, both for me for memories past, and him, for memories he’ll never have. At least he may remember that he was in an Falcon XR6 Turbo ute when he did see it.