Arthur Hayward & the Holden Overlander

[bob10]

Just read an article on Arthur Hayward, owner & operator of Vehicle Engineering & Modifications, in Tasmania. He offered a HJ Holden converted to 4WD with full GMH backing & warranty. The Holden Overlander was conceived in 1975, & on sale in 1977. A 308 V8 with a T400 Hydromatic automatic transmission , & power steering, Dana diffs, & Dana transfer case were supplied.12 inch front ventilated discs, 11 inch rear drums , and leaf springs .


Arthur, his daughter & two mechanics ran the project. The first home grown 4WD . They built it, had a full parts back up, and were given full compliance by GMH. What a pity GMH didn't pick up the concept. Any have one of these vehicles? Bob

[pop058]

A member (33chinacars IIRC) here has one and has for quite some time.

[Jeff]

Arthur, his daughter & two mechanics ran the project. The first home grown 4WD . Bob

Not quite.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caldwell_Vale

And don't forget the XY Falcon 4WD.

Jeff

:rocket:

[Bytemrk]

I don't have one, but I do clearly remember lusting over a lime green panel van version in the local Holden dealer when I was around 16 - 17

In the days of the "sandman" panel van... a 5.0ltr 4wd version was a very attractive idea - but well outside a realist price for me!

Mark

[bob10]

I don't have one, but I do clearly remember lusting over a lime green panel van version in the local Holden dealer when I was around 16 - 17

In the days of the "sandman" panel van... a 5.0ltr 4wd version was a very attractive idea - but well outside a realist price for me!

Mark


Yeah, quoted price 1977 is $13, 978.Makes you wonder how much they would have cost if GMH took it over, Bob

[bob10]

Not quite.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caldwell_Vale

And don't forget the XY Falcon 4WD.

Jeff

:rocket:


Fair enough, let's say the first for the general public, never heard of the XY Falcon 4wd. What year did it come out?, Bob

[V8Ian]

Fair enough, let's say the first for the general public, never heard of the XY Falcon 4wd. What year did it come out?, Bob

71-72

[Lafia]

I remember seeing these around Launceston in the late 70's and early 80's. Always looked fairly impressive but have never seen one since leaving Tassie.

[V8Ian]

Here Bob.

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=xy+falcon+4x4&espv=2&es_sm=93&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=1OSKU9HfKMrHlQXp6YCgAw&ved=0CDoQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=659

Aussie Classic: XY Falcon 4x4 Ute | Truck Jungle (http://www.truckjungle.com/2012/08/18/aussie-classic-xy-falcon-4x4-ute/)

Aussie 4x4s: 1973 Ford XY Utility-News & Reviews-Unique Cars (http://www.uniquecarsmag.com.au/news-and-reviews/article/articleid/85603.aspx)

[bob10]

Here Bob.

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=xy+falcon+4x4&espv=2&es_sm=93&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=1OSKU9HfKMrHlQXp6YCgAw&ved=0CDoQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=659

Aussie Classic: XY Falcon 4x4 Ute | Truck Jungle (http://www.truckjungle.com/2012/08/18/aussie-classic-xy-falcon-4x4-ute/)

Aussie 4x4s: 1973 Ford XY Utility-News & Reviews-Unique Cars (http://www.uniquecarsmag.com.au/news-and-reviews/article/articleid/85603.aspx)



Thanks Ian, Pity we don't have that sort of enterprise now. I suppose the last would be the OKA. Pity. Bob

[pop058]

Fair enough, let's say the first for the general public, never heard of the XY Falcon 4wd. What year did it come out?, Bob

1972. 432 utes, all 6 cylinder, all 3 on the tree IIRC

[justinc]

I had one, an HZ wagon. I bought the last wagon kit from ol arfur and had it put under my 5 litre auto wagon

Also worked with a guy who had a Lime green HZ Sandman ute version, he actually converted my wagon for me, his was even more modded and was used in the 1986 Wynns Safari


JC.

[AndyG]

And there was a hi po 4wd turbo six Falcon around about 87?

[V8Ian]

1972. 432 utes, all 6 cylinder, all 3 on the tree IIRC
They all had Jeep floor shifts according to the third link I posted, Paul.

[p38arover]

I don't know if it was a special, but I picked up a Ford Falcon XC 4WD wagon from the Central Coast and delivered it to Burragorang Valley in the mid-late Nineties (when I still had the FJ55)

[LandyAndy]

I don't know if it was a special, but I picked up a Ford Falcon XC 4WD wagon from the Central Coast and delivered it to Burragorang Valley in the mid-late Nineties (when I still had the FJ55)

Was it a one off Ron???
Never heard of one before.
Plenty of bodies get put on Range Rover chassis,even Land Rovers;););););).Commodore wagons in the VL/VN era are almost identical in wheelbase.
Andrew

[Bigbjorn]

My recollection is that these were put together by Shute Upton at Evans Rd. Rocklea who were the Jeep assembler at the time. The winch was also one of theirs. They still make quality winches.

[pop058]

And there was a hi po 4wd turbo six Falcon around about 87?

This one ?

And the 97 XH Terra concept

[AndyG]

That's it, had a quiet lust but $$$$

[p38arover]

My recollection is that these were put together by Shute Upton at Evans Rd. Rocklea who were the Jeep assembler at the time. The winch was also one of theirs. They still make quality winches.

I believe you are right, Brian (we are referring to the XY Falcon)

Re the XC, it could have been a special, it used Jeep running gear. It's probably still on the property where I dropped it.

[pop058]

That's it, had a quiet lust but $$$$

I have another pic (somewhere) of it during a road test on a dirt road. It shows dirt rooster tails coming off both front and rear wheels.

[33chinacars]

I've owned my Holden Overlander ute for 30 years . Its #10. I guess from what you wrote Bob that you have just seen " Overlander " magazine. If so the Red ute with canopy is mine.

Its currently for sale . A very regrettable sale.

We have a fan page on Facebook too. Search " Holden Overlander". Trying to track down all remaining Overlanders.

Gary

[superquag]

There is, or at least was, floating around Gosnells WA... a HX/Z bronze station wagon body on a 4WD chassis.
Thanks for the clarification, as I thought it was a 'one-off' project by some Holden wally...:eek:

IF the suspension is sufficiently long-travel and balanced like a Rangie, it would be capable of going anywhere... (decent engine to start with!)
- with the reliability to get back again...


- Who sed that ?

[33chinacars]

A member (33chinacars IIRC) here has one and has for quite some time.

Thanks

Here's mine. Aussie 4x4s: 1978 Holden Overlander-News & Reviews-Unique Cars (http://www.uniquecarsmag.com.au/news-and-reviews/article/articleid/85602.aspx)

Gary

[33chinacars]

There is, or at least was, floating around Gosnells WA... a HX/Z bronze station wagon body on a 4WD chassis.
Thanks for the clarification, as I thought it was a 'one-off' project by some Holden wally...:eek:

IF the suspension is sufficiently long-travel and balanced like a Rangie, it would be capable of going anywhere... (decent engine to start with!)
- with the reliability to get back again...


- Who sed that ?

If its on a Holden Chassis its highly likely to be a Molecraft copy built in W.A.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/504987936244826/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Holden-Overlander/1405699826338357
https://www.facebook.com/groups/369464366530236/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/4x4-Holden-Modifications/412295958873646

Also more info here.

Aussie Classic: Holden Overlander 4x4 | Truck Jungle (http://www.truckjungle.com/2012/09/08/aussie-classic-holden-overlander-4x4/)

Gary

[V8Ian]

My recollection is that these were put together by Shute Upton at Evans Rd. Rocklea who were the Jeep assembler at the time. The winch was also one of theirs. They still make quality winches.

I thought they were nailed together at Ford KSD, one of my links confirms this. As they were virtually hand built, they were assembled on weekends to avoid disruption to the line.
I think Philip was working there at the time.

[Sprint]

And there was a hi po 4wd turbo six Falcon around about 87?

Theres also been an AWD BF Falcon wagon built using the rear end from a Falcon RTV ute and the driveline/front suspension from a territory.....

[pop058]

If its on a Holden Chassis its highly likely to be a Molecraft copy built in W.A.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/504987936244826/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Holden-Overlander/1405699826338357
https://www.facebook.com/groups/369464366530236/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/4x4-Holden-Modifications/412295958873646

Also more info here.

Aussie Classic: Holden Overlander 4x4 | Truck Jungle (http://www.truckjungle.com/2012/09/08/aussie-classic-holden-overlander-4x4/)

Gary

Thanks for the links Gary. It is sad to read in the Truck Jungle link that Arthur Hayward passed away in September 2012.

[Baggy]

Hi All,

My mate had an Overlander HZ wagon.
Gee it was a sweet ride with an auto on the column

It would go anywhere and the sweet burble of the V8 almost
sounded as sweet as a Rover V8 ...

It was immaculate as he was a stickler for keeping anything he owned in tip top condition ......he always changed vehicles didn't keep them long.....
I remember several people including me asking him that if he ever wanted to see it to sell it to us.....needless to say he didn't, traded on another of the many vehicles he owned.

Thanks for the memory .....haven't seen or thought of the Overlander in years.

Cheers

Baggy

[zulu Delta 534]

Back in the late 60's Ford and International were vying for an Army contract to supply the Australian Army with a 1 ton 4x4 vehicle to fill a perceived gap in the transport line-up. A reasonable amount of money was expended by both companies in supplying a number of vehicles for evaluation.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/06/1520.jpg

Unfortunately for both manufacturers, the army instead decided to go with the 109" 3/4 ton Land Rover instead, leaving both International and Ford high and dry.
This incident was one of the precursors to the demise of the Inter in Australia, and left Ford holding a number of otherwise unwanted drive trains on their shelves.
The means selected to dispose of these drive trains was to build up 250 of these specialised 4x4 utes (current model at the time) powered by the 250 engine, that had also been set aside for the projected 4x4 Mil vehicle, and release them through Qld and NSW outlets only. Why those two states only I haven't been able to glean, but I suppose it had something to do with perceived requirements, gathered from dealers.
Regards
Glen

[UncleHo]

From memory there were 261 4x4 Falcon utes built,possibly 260 the 1 being a wagon,XW & XY all built in Brisbane at the Ford assembly plant at Hamilton, I can remember seeing one in Deep Bronze Olive with a white roof,on skinny tyres which made it look very unstable,kinda like a raised Hi-Lux on standard wheels

In regards to Arthur Haywood,was that the same Arthur Haywood that had an engineering shop at Kremzow Rd at Brendale?? if so, we used to get our bus engines machined there and he rebuilt my 2a Landrover motor machined the bores to match each piston,brilliant job,I still get motor work done by one of his men who did his apprenticeship with him.

Nah! checked my old invoice files it was Harry Haywood,who was in his mid eighties in 1998/9

cheers

[loanrangie]

Back around 1989/90 i got some info from Molecraft for their Overlander clone, but then i looked under dads new GQ and old rangie and thought about building my own.

[Saitch]

I remember that someone I used to hang around with in the 70's had a Falcon 4x4 ute & I'm sure he was always having diff problems. I can't remember why exactly but it may have been that Ford used the standard falcon diff off the 2b. Anyone jog my memory please?
Steve

[V8Ian]

From memory there were 261 4x4 Falcon utes built,possibly 260 the 1 being a wagon,XW & XY all built in Brisbane at the Ford assembly plant at Hamilton, I can remember seeing one in Deep Bronze Olive with a white roof,on skinny tyres which made it look very unstable,kinda like a raised Hi-Lux on standard wheels

In regards to Arthur Haywood,was that the same Arthur Haywood that had an engineering shop at Kremzow Rd at Brendale?? if so, we used to get our bus engines machined there and he rebuilt my 2a Landrover motor machined the bores to match each piston,brilliant job,I still get motor work done by one of his men who did his apprenticeship with him.

Nah! checked my old invoice files it was Harry Haywood,who was in his mid eighties in 1998/9

cheers

That was Harry Haywood, he was at Bald Hills before Brendale. He did a lot of machining for me over the years.

Opps, should have read the whole thread before jumping in.

[pop058]

From memory there were 261 4x4 Falcon utes built,possibly 260 the 1 being a wagon,XW & XY all built in Brisbane at the Ford assembly plant at Hamilton, I can remember seeing one in Deep Bronze Olive with a white roof,on skinny tyres which made it look very unstable,kinda like a raised Hi-Lux on standard wheels

In regards to Arthur Haywood,was that the same Arthur Haywood that had an engineering shop at Kremzow Rd at Brendale?? if so, we used to get our bus engines machined there and he rebuilt my 2a Landrover motor machined the bores to match each piston,brilliant job,I still get motor work done by one of his men who did his apprenticeship with him.

Nah! checked my old invoice files it was Harry Haywood,who was in his mid eighties in 1998/9

cheers

Your memory must be fading Kevin , there were actually 432 utes made and I don't recall any factory wagons.

[zapata1]

Hi brightly sorry mate didn't respond to your post are you still chasing info

[3toes]

I know of one Falcon wagon it was owned by my neighbour in Brisbane. It was though something he had done rather than a factory job..

Had purchased a ute new from the dealer. Was used for shooting trips until the family grew. He really liked the vehicle and did not think a Patrol or Landcruiser which his mates had was as capable. So had the running gear transferred to a same model Falcon wagon.

[Scouse]

Shannons have an Overlander in their November auction in Sydney:
Holden HZ Overlander 308 Panelvan Auctions - Lot 17 - Shannons (http://www.shannons.com.au/auctions/2015-shannons-sydney-spring-classic-auction/holden-hz-overlander-308-panelvan/#.ViIjijahfmQ)


http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=100741&d=1445078086