The beloved 1952 FX Holden of Brisbane icon Rock ’n’ Roll George has found a new home at Hutchinson Builders’ office in Toowong. After years on display at the Queensland Museum, the vehicle has been relocated to a dedicated space at the company’s reception foyer.
For decades, George Kiprios, better known as Rock ’n’ Roll George, was a fixture on Brisbane’s streets, driving his distinctive FX Holden through the city from the 1950s to the late 1990s. The Greek-Australian worked various jobs, including at a suit factory, a luggage manufacturer, and the Golden Circle cannery, before retiring from the Government Printing Office.
With rock ’n’ roll blaring from the car radio, Mr Kiprios became synonymous with Brisbane’s urban culture, often spotted in Queen Street, Melbourne Street, and West End. He frequented Cloudland’s dances, local milk bars, and cafes, always in his signature flat-top haircut. Legends arose about his near-daily laps through the city, with one story claiming he spent decades searching for a blonde woman he once saw but never found again.
Photo Credit: Lost Brisbane/Facebook
His car, adorned with a personalised “Rock ’n’ Roll” number plate, became as famous as the man himself. The FX Holden and Mr Kiprios were immortalised in the 1960s song “Rock ’n’ Roll George,” with lyrics describing his daily route past Brisbane landmarks.
A Final Ride and Museum Display
Mr Kiprios passed away in November 2009 at the age of 82. His funeral at the Greek Orthodox Church of St George in South Brisbane was attended by more than 200 mourners, including then-premier Anna Bligh. In a fitting tribute, his FX Holden led the funeral procession down Queen Street one last time before he was laid to rest.
Following his passing, Hutchinson Builders acquired the car and later donated it to the Queensland Museum, where it featured in the Rock Around the Block exhibition. Over time, the FX Holden became a centrepiece of Brisbane’s cultural history.
Returning to Toowong
Recently, Hutchinson Builders arranged for the FX Holden’s relocation after the museum no longer required it for display. The vehicle was delivered to Hutchies’ Toowong premises in December 2024, where a special area is being set up in the office’s reception foyer for public viewing.
Photo Credit: Lost Brisbane/Facebook
Scott Hutchinson, chairman of Hutchinson Builders, emphasised the cultural significance of Rock ’n’ Roll George, stating that he was a Brisbane icon who did laps in the city for over half a century. He also added that every adult in Brisbane knew him. Mr George had four songs written about him.
The move ensures that the car remains accessible to the public, preserving the legacy of one of Brisbane’s most recognisable figures.
A Lasting Piece of Brisbane’s History
Rock ’n’ Roll George’s FX Holden remains a symbol of Brisbane’s once-thriving car culture, now reshaped by changing road laws and urban development. While modern restrictions would have made his daily laps more difficult, Mr Kiprios’ legacy endures through stories, songs, and now, a permanent home in Toowong.
Published 18-Feb-2025