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VG Valiant Pacer: The Better Aussie Six

24 May 2013

The VG Valiant launch in May 1970 was a short-term move to establish the new Hemi six in a proven model then firm-up Valiant retail pricing to support the big investment in the VH due in June 1971. It also delivered a new Pacer, one of the best Valiants ever sold in Australia.

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Renault R8: The First Wheels Car of the Year

17 May 2013

As the R8 celebrates 50 years since its Australian debut and winning the inaugural Wheels Car of the Year award, it's worth revisiting how this unassuming little car raised the bar overnight. It also turned Renault into a major local player. Arriving just months after the ageing Morris Minor 1000 exited, the Renault R8 with just 8cc more was a game changer for the Australian small car market in 1963. The Gordini version that followed in 1965 would then hold the line against far newer and more powerful motorsport rivals into the next decade.

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BMW E24 633/635CSi: Bavaria's Supersized XU-1

29 April 2013

For a 1976 release, the BMW E24 6-series coupe enjoyed astonishing longevity until production ceased in April 1989 with its 1960s shark-nose styling barely changed. Although sales tapered off at the very end, the E24 posted best ever figures in the mid-1980s. The arrival of the M635CSi and new unleaded versions for emissions markets like Australia kick-started new interest.

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LH SL/R 5000: Torana the Not So Great

22 April 2013

"Bags, you must be a bloody genius to sell that sh**. And we are going to do something about it." The car was the LH Torana SL/R 5000. The location was BP corner at Holden's Lang Lang Proving Ground, the replica of a corner near BP's storage tanks close to Holden's head office at Fishermens Bend. The occasion was a spectacular lose after the SL/R 5000 ploughed straight ahead, pretty much as it was engineered to do. The driver was Alex Cunningham, GM's Director of International Operations and Bags was Holden's marketing guru John Bagshaw.

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The Artful Dodger from Plymouth

19 March 2013

After Chrysler's local arm hobbled into 1960 with an obsolete side-valve six cylinder model, a new and current US Dodge Phoenix revitalized the local range. This new Dodge was joined by the Valiant in 1962 to create one of the most vibrant model ranges seen in Australia at the time. Suddenly, a visit to local Chrysler showrooms carried some real anticipation and excitement.

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Toyota Celica: Sleek Car or Silly Car?

18 March 2013

The frenzy around today's new Toyota 86 can only provide a clue to the shock generated by the arrival of the first Toyota Celica on Australian roads late in 1971. Unlike any Japanese car before it, its styling appeared to be ahead of the trend as it wasn't an obvious copy of any Western model. For just over $3000, there was much more to the Celica than exotic looks and a sporty cabin.

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Cruising Just For a Lark

27 February 2013

By late 1960, the Studebaker Lark was built in Australia bringing a price cut from its 1959 $5200 figure, the price of two Holdens, to just over $3350. Barely a year earlier on its 1959 local arrival as an import, it was heavily criticized for being too expensive and under-developed even if its strong relevance to the Australian market was noted.

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Ford's Capri - British Bulldog or Shetland Pony Car?

22 February 2013

By the end of 1970 and barely six months after it was launched here, the first Torana GTR XU-1 had turned the more refined Capri 3000 GT into a niche model in the showroom and on the track. It deserved better.

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The Homebush Galaxies

19 February 2013

Exactly why Ford Australia waited until 1959 to introduce its first full-sized current US Fairlane 500 model then abandoned the segment in 1961 only to return with the Galaxie in 1964 takes some explaining. The unique 1964-68 Australian Galaxies that followed were often regarded as the benchmarks in the hotly competitive big local prestige car class.

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The Kangaroo Minis

08 February 2013

After developing the original Mini-Cooper version as the starting point for its unique Australian Mini range for 1965, BMC Australia could offer a local Cooper S version that was devastatingly effective and unexpectedly affordable.

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The V8 with a Bow-Tie

10 December 2012

For Australian large car buyers, 1960 marked the end of decades of locally-assembled Chevrolets lumbering along to the monotone drone of their big inline sixes. Chevrolet styling may have set the pace but until the small block V8 arrived in 1960, local Chevrolets were dismissed as old manÂs cars against the Ford V8 competition.

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The Porker Sows Ear becomes a Porsche Silk Purse

10 December 2012

Depending on who is telling the story, the first Porsche 911 examples that hit the road were either lethal or at least, severely compromised. It was unthinkable that the Type 901 as presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1963, still carrying Porsches internal development code, could ever achieve a fraction of its competition and sales success.

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News

VG Valiant Pacer: The Better Aussie Six

Renault R8: The First Wheels Car of the Year

BMW E24 633/635CSi: Bavaria's Supersized XU-1

LH SL/R 5000: Torana the Not So Great

The Artful Dodger from Plymouth

Toyota Celica: Sleek Car or Silly Car?

Cruising Just For a Lark

Ford's Capri - British Bulldog or Shetland Pony Car?

The Homebush Galaxies

The Kangaroo Minis

The V8 with a Bow-Tie

The Porker Sows Ear becomes a Porsche Silk Purse

Categories

VG Valiant Pacer: The Better Aussie Six

Renault R8: The First Wheels Car of the Year

BMW E24 633/635CSi: Bavaria's Supersized XU-1

Six Appeal:VG Valiant Hemi Pacer

Renault R8 Gordini: 1970 Australian Rally Champion

Black Beauty: The Australian 'JPS' BMW 635 CSi

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