In the 1930s W. L. (Bill) Harrigan's motor vehicle "Leaping Lena" was the centre of attention at many of the parades held in Wollongong.

Lena was a tourer-type vehicle in which Mr Harrigan had the centre of its wheels offset, giving the car an ambling affect when driven. No doubt, this made the vehicle a real boneshaker.

The 1930 Wollongong Agricultural show was acclaimed as the most successful show ever held so far. The events were held over a four-day period during Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday. On Saturday afternoon, Mr Harrigan had both Lena and another car called Moonbeam at the showground where they first herded, then chased Alderman Ziems off the grounds to the delight of the spectators.

Monday night was the grand procession where the floats and participants were marshalled at Jubilee Bridge to proceed down Crown Street. Crowds gathered at every vantage point along the route to see the grand parade. In this particular year Harrigan's Garage paraded another car named Moonbeam Special 10. At the wheel of Lena was Mr Harrigan. He had three passengers in the car, Messrs R. Muir, H. Purcell and Sladden. On the sides of the car was the slogan "Hop along to the Crown Theatre and See the Talkies". As the first Moonbeam was a single-seat vehicle it was redesigned to carry at the most two people, W. Purcell as the driver and Keith Makin the passenger. The wheels of this car were also somewhat offset.

In 1938, everyone celebrated the sesquicentenary of the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788. At the end of the Wollongong Show a grand parade took place and it was estimated that about 30,000 people lined the route. In all, 150 motor vehicles lined up along with six Sydney firms participating in the parade. W. Waters and Son's float had a giant birthday cake with 150 candles. David Bros. Foundry's float carried the slogan "We make the wheels of industry and keep them turning" and Beattie's old time coach of 60 years earlier, pulled by five horses, was one of the last in the parade. Amongst the participants was of course Mr Harrigan at the wheel of Lena.

Mr Harrigan also took part in the Pageant of History held in Sydney in April 1938. At this particular event Lena was adorned in black and white stripes and attached to the bonnet was the front part of a zebra. Inserted in each eye socket was a red light globe and steam projected through the nostrils. The bucking of the car was a humorous delight and was well received by the crowds. The following week, on April 18, audiences at the Crown Theatre cheered with enthusiasm during the newsreel film when they saw Lena in the Pageant of History held in Sydney.

The South Coast Times reported in May 1953 that Walter P Chrysler had offered more than $1 million US for the purchase of Leaping Lena as he wanted to take the car to the USA.

For the Grand Procession on June 6, 1953, which was the winding up of Coronation Week it was reported that a revitalised Leaping Lena would be in the procession. The zebra stripes were gone and the car now resembled a white horse for the Coronation Parade to be held at Slacky Flat on June 2, four days before it took part in the Wollongong parade.

It would be interesting to know what happened to Leaping Lena. For many years the old boneshaker delighted thousands of people in Wollongong when she was paraded on special occasions.

Information courtesy of Carol Herben OAM.  Call 0409 832 854 or email  sycado6@bigpond.net.au