The Old Hume Highway: Classic Restos - Series 52

Fletch ventures down the Hume Highway, south of Goulburn, and turns off towards Breadalbane to explore a section of the Old Hume Highway, which he believes is Australia's version of Route 66. The Hume Highway was established in 1824 and was originally a network of dirt tracks that followed the natural landscape instead of a set route.
Fletch used a book by Peter FitzSimons called The Hume Highway - Where History Begins with a Road as his guide for the journey. The book showcases the modern Hume Highway from Melbourne to Sydney, the remaining sections of the Old Hume, and earlier road alignments. These sections provide insight into Australia's past and allow one to imagine the people who lived along these routes and the vehicles they used.
Nowadays, our new highways bypass many rural centres and even smaller country towns. However, taking a trip off the main highway offers a glimpse into country life from a bygone era. Many significant structures from that period still stand on the then-main highway, preserving our Australian history in a time capsule.
One of the stops along the Old Hume is the township of Gunning, where Baileys Garage has been operating since 1948. The garage was originally a General Motors dealership, which sold Pontiacs, Buicks, and Chevrolets for 50 years. Before becoming a Holden dealership, the garage employed thirteen mechanics, two spare parts people, and the Bailey family members. In the 1940s, owner Frank Bailey passed away, and Vern Southwall from the nearby town of Dalton took over the business but retained the Baileys Garage business name at the request of the former owner's wife.
The Gunning Holden Wall of Fame features a mural by a local artist that depicts several iconic Holden cars on the side of Bailey's Garage. Bailey's Garage has an interesting history, with Craig Southwall, a proud third-generation member of the Southwall family, running the business today. Craig says that stepping into Bailey's Garage is like stepping back in time, they are a garage, not a service station. They don't sell hot food and cold drinks but service everything from tractors, trucks, motorbikes, and cars. Craig says, "If it has a motor, we'll have a crack at it".
Steve, a member of the Canberra Torana Club, drove from Canberra to Gunning to meet with Fletch at Baileys Garage and discuss his 1974 LJ Torana. The car underwent a passionate 2-year ground-up restoration to its original condition. Steve pays tribute to his late friend Bill Spencer, who saved five lives through organ donation, by showcasing his friend's name on the car.

[@vudu5vudu]

Thank you Fletch, Craig, Peter Fitzsimons and all those men and women, boys and girls who keep Australian history alive and relevant. As the son of an immigrant, my heartfelt thanks.

[@sentimentalbloke185]

N Fletch is a champ, the Pirate is a twat.

[@anasevi9456]

Fletch is such a great documentary host. Always happy to see him.

[@classicrestostv1fletch764]

Thanks buddy for your kind words. Regards Fletch 👍👍

[@more.power.]

Thank you Fletch for preserving the memory of a bygone era. Cheers

[@classicrestostv1fletch764]

Love MORE POWER !!!! Thank you !! 🤣

[@rodgeorge7244]

Thanks for the memories Fletch I ran up and down that road from the late 60s till the early 90s starting with the old road until most of the boring freeway was built.

[@marklivingstone3710]

I grew up in Canberra. What always made me smile, when you crossed the border from the ACT into NSW , even if you were a passenger and had your eyes closed, you knew the exact moment you crossed the border. The quality of the roads was that different and noticeable. I remember doing that drive to Sydney in the 70s in my LJ Torana down the Federal ‘Highway’ (guess the couldn’t call it a track) through Collector, past Lake George, Goulburn, Picton, Berima, Mittagong numerous times.😊

[@waynehauser3611]

To hear the passion in Fletch's voice when he speaks warms the heart and puts a smile on my face ! Thank god we have have people like Fletch keeping the stories alive !

[@classicrestostv1fletch764]

Lovely words Wayne. Yes, you have to live it and breathe it when you present this stuff. Greatly appreciated & thank you for watching. Cheers Fletch 👍

[@goz7569]

Going back 20 years ago I was in the newsagent at Hume hwy Yagoona waiting in line behind a lovely lady in her late 90s years young just on top of the railway station. I overheard her mention to the cashier that she used to travel on that road just outside the newsagent on horses and cart and was a dirt road. It was amazing as i turned to look outside on a 6 lane Hume highway bumper to bumper traffic at standstill. I was in disbelief and felt pretty amazing just to be in her presence. The last connection to the past it was a humbling experience.

[@LeopoldoNotarianni-rk9vv]

Excellent presentation. Very interesting.

[@markbehr88]

Old school Australia. We miss it!

[@robertfonovic3551]

not the weekly fatalitiies

[@grahamcockerill2406]

Fantastic Fletch, love the old Hume.

[@robertfonovic3551]

it was a fkn deathtrap

[@oldcarstuff9844]

That was me dropping by Baileys Motor Garage with my 1924 Model T Ford back in 2013, thanks Craig & Fletch. An interesting place to visit.

[@stephentaege6255]

RIP BILL 🕯️🙏 A true last act of kindness to keep 5 human beings from eternal sleep your a true legend ✌️✌️ cheers Stephen 🍀🍀✌️🤠🐨🦘

[@classicrestostv1fletch764]

Absolutely Stephen. ❤

[@lawrencegatt4515]

❤ thanks for a wonderful show again mate 👏👏👏💚💛🇦🇺🏁

[@mistero4]

Bloody brilliant, Fletch!

[@shedwork]

Great doco Fletch - very interesting and I get the fascination with the old Hume. Last year I watched one of your shows about the old trucks run on the old Hume and inspired me to go down an old Hume wormhole. My missus and I went away to Mittagong the next weekend and I drove as much of the old Hume Highway as possible to get there. It was enjoyable, loved the Razorback section. I’ve stayed in Gunning a couple of times - great old school crumbed cutlets at the Telegraph Hotel. Unfortunately the garage wasn't open. You’ve inspired me to a weekend away Gunning, again to drive the old highway where possible and also to explore those original sections south of the township. Cheers mate, Mark

[@classicrestostv1fletch764]

Excellent stuff Mark. I enjoyed reading your comment. Thank you. Enjoy your road mapping. Cheers Mark, Fletch 👍

[@jimclarke1108]

I'll never forget that part of town, first holiday with my new license and first car, mini cooper, wrote it off during the night, spent my holidays in Goulburn base hospital, the red P plate was like reading a book 1968

[@MrGutfeeling]

Always love taking the old roads, so much more scenic 🙂

[@ericdoe2318]

Hello from Springfield Mo USA on ole rute 66. We have a few original alignments around here. And man it’s amazing how narrow they are maybe 22 feet. Anyway I always enjoy the show!

[@classicrestostv1fletch764]

Hi Eric. Lovely to hear from you. I have travelled Route 66 many times. You in fact have a R66 section that is 9 feet wide !! This was an original alignment. You will have to try and Google it - amazing. Cheers Fletch.

[@craigjones2878]

The old Hume Highway was a pretty wild ride back in the day, overtaking trucks at night, dodging the highway patrol with radar detectors, dodging wildlife and oncoming cars. Then you’d get to somewhere like Yass and it was like you’d hit the big smoke, trucks and cars filling the many servos. Great times but bloody dangerous.

[@jgsheehan8810]

The site of Hamilton Humes house is a few k's south of my place. There is a monument awkwardly placed on the side of Appin Rd. Good episode Fletch 👍🏻

[@garydargan6]

Before all the major upgrades I travelled between Sydney, Goulburn and Yass and occasionally into Victoria on the hume Highway, mostly at night. It was always a long, slow, frustrating ordeal but I loved getting out of the traffic onto the older sections of the highway and local roads to get out of the traffic.If you knew them well and made good use of them you could have a pleasant drive and shave quite a bit of time off the journey.

[@T.W.I.T.]

you are a top fella Fletch, love your work.... ride and drive safe mate.

[@fredsmith2723]

Great video Fletch I grew up in that area lived near Lake George went to Tarago school our grand parents lived in Grenfell so traveled those roads lots. I done my apprenticeship in Goulburn so new the area well been over razorback many times. I moved to Canada in the the seventies we traveled on a short part of route 66 near LA in the nineties. Keep up the go work I enjoy all your video. Fred

[@classicrestostv1fletch764]

Thank you Fred. Greatly appreciated. Regards Fletch.

[@jb7591]

Craig & Steve, both true Holden men through & through, well done. As for Peter Fitz, always best for him to stick to books & nothing else.

[@tonydoggett7627]

Peter Fitz didn’t do the research. The RTA had for many years a historical researcher based in Goulburn, he has now past. I knew him as Ken from Marulan. He drove a 928 Porsche with a wombat bar.

[@Chatty_crafter]

@@tonydoggett7627 I have the book, although I don’t like Peter Fitz. Thanks for giving credit where credit is due. I live in Goulburn and love hearing snippets of local history. 👍

[@daniellebcooper7160]

What a great concept. Thank you for producing this.

[@classicrestostv1fletch764]

You are very welcome Danielle. Regards Fletch 👍

[@davidforbes6250]

Fantastico!

[@icascone]

I was looking to this episode and didn't disappoint! I'd love to see more stories like this! :)

[@classicrestostv1fletch764]

Thank you so much. Tons of work goes into an episode such as this. Appreciated, cheers Fletch 👍

[@michaelguerin56]

Thank you, Fletch. An excellent nostalgic episode.

[@mattgemfran]

Used to live the Cullerin Range racetrack, err highway

[@PFay]

Thanks Fletch. If I ever manage to get the bike back on the road again, might go have a look. Though vid suggests south of Goulburn seems, as always, bleak and cold as buggery?

[@mvnorsel6354]

You can tell Fletch has a soft spot for the Valiants, it shows in his interviews😅.

[@KamalToe24]

I’m not a big fan of pirates or clowns, but credit where it’s due, Fitzsimmons the pirate/clown 🤡 🏴‍☠️ has done a good job on that book. Well done Fletch and crew on this little documentary. 👍🏿

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

The sketchy old Hume didn't die, they just moved it between Melbourne and Adelaide.

[@Michael-kj8pn]

Great vid Fletch, was surprised to know that Fitzsimmons wrote about an “Old Route” out of Sydney, was he talking about his wife? Just Saying

[@freddieallan3583]

Plenty of old concrete sections too ...

[@blueycarlton]

Does this book only go as far as Albury? Years ago I saw some of the original hand drawn maps and comments made by Mr. Broadbent of Broadbent Maps who rode the original Hume on a bicycle. However, the maps I saw were of the Hume in Victoria.

[@classicrestostv1fletch764]

Yes, just Albury border Bluey. Cheers mate 👍

[@johnd8892]

What the garage opened 50 years before the Hilden 48-215? So that means opening in 1898. Well before many cars existed at all, let alone Chevrolet and Pontiac existing. So what is the pre Holden story?

[@fortunateson7852]

Coach builders

[@NeilThompson-bo5cf]

Hi Fletch, liked the documentary. Where can l get a copy of the book thanks

[@ShannonsInsurance]

Hey Neil, thanks for your support. I have found an online copy of the book which you can access here: spr.ly/6055PHlPh. - Arna :)

[@thewholls7176]

Good on ya Fletch No Ford Fairlane’s like your old girl when they opened the Hume Highway mate….

[@ruok4a69]

the 1980's Bruce goat track was a good ride up the east coast of QLD

[@patrickaussieMilartry]

Shannon's got my BF G8 FAIRLANE Coverd. Absolutely no problemo. Better rates than any other insurance company plus they insured my car there offer was 5 times what any other insurance company would offer. Because Shannon's got their act together. Cheers Shannon's. I love my car i put love and money like a person i love into my car. And so it should be Insured for a fair value. Thanks Heaps for the piece of mind .👍👍👍🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺 SHANNON'S INSURANCE 😊

[@ShannonsInsurance]

Thank you for your lovely comment and positive feedback. We are pleased to know you are happy with our service so far. Please don't hesitate to contact us if there is anything else we can help you with. - Arna

[@outbacktraveller58]

I seriously would like a dollar in the bank for the number of times I drove the OLD Sesame Street.

[@GaryNoone-jz3mq]

Why didn't you mention where the book you were using is available. Good to know about it. Better to know where to get it. 😌

[@christopherrankine1364]

Thumbs hanging on a pocket. Old roads. WOW!

[@garyreid9842]

Hi Fletch. Love this video. Where can you get a copy of the Old Hume Highway book please.

[@Jojoxxr]

Very fascinating, but what’s an alignment?

[@markfletcher7244]

An Alignment is an additional road that was added and runs along nearby. 👍👍

[@Jojoxxr]

@@markfletcher7244 Thanks 👍👍

[@stefantrnacek1394]

We're can I get a copy of that book?

[@ShannonsInsurance]

Hi Stefan you can find more information here: books.google.com.au/books/about/The_Old_Hume_Highway_History_Begins_with.html?id=0UW6ngEACAAJ&redir_esc=y

[@stefantrnacek1394]

@@ShannonsInsurance Thank you.

[@noelroberts8199]

I love Fletch and his program "Classic Restos" but what is bugging me at the moment is his pronunciation of the word Route, he is using the American pronunciation R - OUT - E, we Aussies say R - OOT - E. Please keep the Aussie lingo going Fletch..........

[@TheMVberyl]

Route pronounced "root" is how it is pronounced!!!

[@classicrestostv1fletch764]

There is no set law of pronunciation - it depends on education and country you are from. It's trivial detail. Thanks for watching. I hope you enjoyed all of the main stuff. Cheers.

[@Bims-t5b]

I wonder if Bailey’s garage have super8

[@Bims-t5b]

I guess gunning is the real life radiator springs

[@billjackson4703]

Fletch, Why are you pronouncing the route word differently for the one in America to our Hume ? they are the same word, yet your pronouncing theirs as 'ROOT' 66, And the Hume as 'ROWT' ?? As Pauline Hanson would say... PLEASE EXPLAINE .

[@lukestocks4370]

Fantastic episode

[@classicrestostv1fletch764]

Hey thanks Luke !! Cheers.

[@lukestocks4370]

@@classicrestostv1fletch764 Mate saw you in Bandalow the other day. Thanks for saying hi.

[@markfletcher7244]

@@lukestocks4370 Hi Luke. Apologies I had to speak with that lady regarding a direction. I think she wanted a coffee with me - lol. We left and I went up into the town looking for you. I wanted to do a better job and shake your hand. Cheers Luke, thanks again - Fletch 👍

[@lukestocks4370]

@@markfletcher7244 no worries mate all good. Just wanted to know love the work you do and hopefully you can pop into a car show in Sydney soon.

[@justinadamson4115]

Root not rout

[@classicrestostv1fletch764]

Justin, There is no set law of pronunciation - it depends on education and country you are from. It's trivial detail. Thanks for watching. I hope you enjoyed all of the main stuff. And Rout has an E on the end. Cheers.👍👍

[@michaelgiglio1571]

Fletch, holden was never owned by australians and was never good enough. Please dont praze the burden of automotive history.

[@classicrestostv1fletch764]

Hi Michael. The Holden history for "what" it is and for "what" it's known for is what people like to hear. The Holden product bang-for-buck did a great job in Australia. Not worth getting too hung up on the politics Michael. I hope you enjoyed the episode. Cheers Fletch 👍

[@michaelgiglio1571]

@@classicrestostv1fletch764 Thanks for responding Fletch. When I look at the big picture and the payed lyes through advertising and parities against Ford ever since the Setton days for Holden crying. Things didn't go right did they. Mike

[@markfletcher7244]

@@michaelgiglio1571 Interesting Michael. I appreciate your comments. Cheers.

[@michaelgiglio1571]

@@markfletcher7244 Thankyou very much.

[@user-vc9ig3pf5y]

Why don't we just build a auto barn in ln Australia for The full on car car people and p plate drivers Can driver fast as you like

[@shovelrickshovelhead8713]

Pension card 😢