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And if we're talking greatness, the early Ford Territory was an unquestionably great SUV, well ahead of its time.
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Without doubt, Holden made some absolutely world-class cars during their time as did Ford AU. People tend to sneer at the product because the badge was always associated with the common man, the ultimate refinement wasn't quite there and the recipe we built to was fairly simple, but the end result always spoke for itself. Go overseas where the Australian cultural cringe isn't as strong and people love these cars, not just in the US but in the UK and the middle east too.I think we're just as likely to go in the other direction and downplay how good they are as well. They aren't perhaps classically 'great' in the way certain European cars that we fawn over may be, but no-one can doubt the build quality and solidity of the cars we were making. The Pontiac GTO (Monaro) and Pontiac G8/Chevrolet SS (Commodore) got very good reviews Stateside. We certainly had (have?) the know-how for making good cars.
I met a friend I hadnt seen for years (he spent years working as a chef in the UK) and he drove me home in his HT Monaro 327 Bathurst SpecialFavourite ever Holden was the VT GTS with the 300kw Callaway engine.
Ford really stuffed up by not releasing a diesel version fast enough with the Territory.And if we're talking greatness, the early Ford Territory was an unquestionably great SUV, well ahead of its time.
And when they did, it was PSA shit.Ford really stuffed up by not releasing a diesel version fast enough with the Territory.
And if we're talking greatness, the early Ford Territory was an unquestionably great SUV, well ahead of its time.
I've never driven a 380 but your post is an interesting one given that it was the death-knell for Mitsubishi in Australia. The 380 has been described as the right car in the wrong era.In 2007 I bought a 2 year old Mitsubish 380 VRX with 35,000km on the clock with 3 years of factory warranty and full books. It had everything that opened and closed, was a bit thirsty, but the 3.8 engine had plenty of go in it. It was around $45 or $50k new. At the same dealership in Werribee they had a BA Fairmont, (I had an AUII wagon so knew pretty much what that one was about) and they had a 2004 Commodore SV6.
I took the 380 out and when I came back, I didn't even bother with the Ford, I had a cursory look at the Commodore. It was a year older, had nowhere near the refinements in it and had 106,000km on the clock and an incomplete service history and no warranty left.
I bought the 380 for $17k, they wanted $26k for the Commodore, I didn't even get that far with the Ford but I think they wanted low 20s for it.
The 380 is still close to the best car I've owned.
I've never driven a 380 but your post is an interesting one given that it was the death-knell for Mitsubishi in Australia. The 380 has been described as the right car in the wrong era.
Get outta 'ereI think the best-looking Holden was the early-2000s Monaro
Obviously a young-un.Get outta 'ere
Because without any other local manufacturers, the Australian suppliers for their parts wouldn't have enough demand from Toyota alone to stay afloat. Most of them supplied for Ford and Holden as well. Without those components being made here, Toyota has nothing with which to build their cars here.
Obviously a young-un.
The revived Monaro is the best looking car Holden have made this century. The HSV version before the nostril holes in the bonnet is a great looking car and these are coming up on 18 years old.
Most of the cars Holden produced in the 80s, 90s and 2000s were pretty uninspiring. Some people like the VL Walkinshaw (just looks like a VL with 100 kilos of fibreglass panels stuck on to me) but it wasn't a period of design flair.
Personally I don't love the FJ & 48-215 but appreciate the look, but am a big fan of the FE to EK models with the classic 50s styling of round headlight\\s, fins, bench seats etc. Not as big a fan of the 60s models but the 70s muscle cars are great too. Cars are like houses, modern ones are better but 50s ones are way cooler.
Crazy to think how much they would all be worth now (depending on how genuine/model).
Which car magazine? That'd be a cool job (probably doesn't pay a cent now).I need to pull out my old photos.
I used to photograph for a hotted up car mag in a past life.
I remember GTR XU1s,SLR 5000s,EH Premiers,HR Holdens, HQs with premier fronts, Monaro quarter panels (for the gills and HZ boots for the lip) and lots of Utes with Statesman Fronts and Monaro shark gills
Did a lot of Fords too a few Valiants a few Japanese cars too Old 60s and 70s Toyotas
Funnily enough, I live on Phillip Island now and there seems to be a disproportionate number of 380s there.
At the same time I had the 380, I bought a 2004 Magna Verada Xi, top of the range everything. 60,000km on the clock, $55 to 60k new, it cost me $10k.
Nice car but nowhere near the 380.
Mag doesnt exist anymore ...dont want to mention the name as a back issue will have someone look up my name under the cars mentionedWhich car magazine? That'd be a cool job (probably doesn't pay a cent now).
Didn't you worry it could end up a bit Making a Murderer for you?Mag doesnt exist anymore ...dont want to mention the name as a back issue will have someone look up my name under the cars mentioned
It was a good little gig 4 cars a month if I was lucky
It was Australia wide so I used to do Victoria and scout cars to try and get the max of 4 per issue.
Everyone who had a car had a few mates with cars so it was pretty easy to find them