1 - Rock N Roll George. The Bodgie from West End Brisbane

Rock N Roll George, Brisbane Legend, passed away on Sunday the 29th November 2009 at the age of 82. Born George Kiprios on the 9th April 1927 he lived all his life in West End untill he lost his battle with prostate cancer. Mr Kyprios was such a feature of Brisbanes landscape he inspired the 1960s song Rock n Roll George
"Up and down Queen St /past the city hall / whos that in the drivers seat / its Rock n Roll George."

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

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[ZephyrMk1]

Hi Chuck ... I was lucky enough to go to the service for George to pay my last respects. I took my video camera and got some excellent footage which I shall upload in due course. George was part of the Brisbane landscape for so many years ... and his car and he were as one.

I talked to a few of his close friends and relatives and they all seemed to agree that his car should be preserved as it is.

[ZephyrMk1]

There is not much information about George. I can say however that he lived in the same house all of his 82 years and had been well know by the older locals of West End.

As far as the car goes .. I personally now regard it as a Brisbane Icon.

You might find more information on George by doing a Google search.

Hope this helps .. Cheers .. Dan

[ZephyrMk1]

The car by the way had 90,543 Miles or 145,715 KM on the clock on the 3-12-09. The FX seems to be older than 1952 and it also looks as if it has been around the clock twice but that is only the way it seems as George did not drive far from his home. From where he lived for a young person it is and easy walk to Queen street which was his favorite hang out.

[TheReformed1]

@ZephyrMk1 I'll bet the FX is olde than 52'. I was just thinking that it looks a lot like a 46-50 Buick Super. Is it the same size as a Buick? It's hard to tell on here. Either way it's nice

[ZephyrMk1]

@TheReformed1 Produced November 1948 to September 1953 and often referred to as the FX Holden, it's real name is the 48/215, 48 being the year it started production and 215 being Standard Sedan (the numbering system remained with Holdens for many years to come with 215 always signifying the Standard type of each model) Based on the Buick style from America but a smaller vehicle.

[jorasar]

His car is currently at the Brisbane Museum!

[FCCOOL]

what a Legend!

[spaceoreo]

I don't know if George was cantankerous or not. All I remember was, as a young kid in the 70s, every time I'd give him a wave as he drove past, he always waved back, a big smile creasing his face. And people did used to say 'Look, it's Rock & Roll George!'

[TheReformed1]

@ZephyrMk1 I never really lookied at cars this size, till we downsized over here. Then we made some beautiful neo classics here in the U.S.A. The Cadillac Seville, Chrysler LeBaron, Mercury Monarch 1975-79 etc. What's a good web-site for me to go and research older Australian Steel, like the Holden and others?

[TheReformed1]

@ZephyrMk1 Thanks for getting back to me. When you start looking at some of the foreign cars out there it's amazing how nice some of the styles were. Now I'm not saying that the new Holdens aren't beautiful and to have one as a recent model I'm sure is sweet, But tell me it wouldn't be wild to have an FX 215 sittin there in the garage waiting for a nice sunny Saturday morning?

[sherilyn1977]

I have a fond memory of a time when hubby and I (Ipswich residents) were standing at a crossing in Queen Street before it became a Mall. We couldn't believe our eyes when Rock N Roll George rocked up at the traffic lights right beside us. My hubby waved and said, "Look, it's Rock N Roll George!" Well he must have heard him because George looked at us, winked and nodded and then he drove off into the distance. That was the first and last time we ever saw the local Legend.

[daisy3067]

RIP rock n roll George was a legend,i used to see him when i first started hanging out in Brisbane in the 1970s

[fjbutch]

RIP Mate ....... what a legend ....