Non landy favourite cars?

[justinc]

As the title suggests. Post your favourite non landrover vehicles that you have owned or still own. And pics if you have them.

Mine were;
1972 ZF Fairlane. Onyx black. 302 auto.
1974 XB GS sedan. Orange , 302 4spd.
1978 HZ 5litre TH400 kingswood SL wagon.
1982 WB 308 ute
1992 Lexus LS400
2003 Lexus LS430


Jc ☺

[trout1105]

I don't have any images But I did own a mini moke Californian when I was a young bloke and had a heap of fun in it, Until it rained.
Definitely a fair weather car But great fun to drive.

[bee utey]

P76. The only 2WD apart from a VW that I would trust to cross the Simpson desert. Still got a couple 38 years after I got the first one.

[Zeros]

The 1979 Holden gemini that I did my first and second extended road trips in! ...10 months around WA and 6 months through the centre when I was in my early twenties. It had a rusted out boot with holes so big that it needed boards and boxes to cover LOL and a reco engine in Broome. Took it off road a lot! Kakadu, Pilbara, Centre, Marble Bar, cattle stations, etc. Learnt a lot about off road driving in a two wheel drive. It was a tough little car! ...would I take one out there again now? Nope! [bigrolf]

[LRT]

Triumph 2500 TC with the Vanguard derived 2.5L six cylinder engine.

It's running twin SU HS6 carbies and a Borg Warner 65 three speed auto. I have a wreck with a 4 speed manual + electric overdrive gearbox that I'll put in when I get the time.

It will drive all day at 110kph in direct drive plus return 24MPG on a long run.

[scarry]

HQ ute i had for years,my first car.Fitted a fibreglass canopy,dual battery system,always had the Engle in the back,bull bar,spotties.
Went all over the countryside,easy and simple to fix, after over 200000K's,it never let me down.

Changed the diff to one with a higher ratio,from memory,3.08 from a Torana,and it absolutely flew,would wind off the speedo.
Fuel economy improved on a run remarkably as well.

Only reason i got rid of it was because the kids came along,then it was a HZ wagon.That was OK except for burning valves.

After that,a fantastic VS SS,HSV enhanced,another great car.

Then it was onto Landrovers.....[bighmmm]

[Rok_Dr]

Jag and Alfa as per signature!

They'll still be in the garage long after Charlie has departed.

cheers

Steve

[Toxic_Avenger]

Say hello to my little friend. A 1991 vintage Nissan 300zx. Early 90's Japanese power.
I've owned 2 of this make and model over the last 11 years. I had a non turbo slicktop version before this, but now enjoying my Twin Turbo Targa top with a few tweaks...

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/981.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/982.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/983.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/984.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/985.jpg

I'm probably a little crazy choosing two own such maintenance intensive vehicles in the Landy and Z [bigwhistle]

[Mick_Marsh]

I don't have any images But I did own a mini moke Californian when I was a young bloke and had a heap of fun in it, Until it rained.
Definitely a fair weather car But great fun to drive.

Nah. An all weather car. You just need a squeegee for the "fish n chip shop" windows.

[Bigbjorn]

I have always regretted selling my 1970 Dodge Challenger convertible, Hemi 426 & 4 speed. sold it when we married in 1975 for $5,000 to buy furniture, washing machine, fridge, etc. Now worth over $500,000. Sigh. 600+ hp Mopar Performance aftermarket engine. Fastest road car I have ever driven.

Way back I had a 1940 Chrysler Royal 8 limousine. I loved that car. The sheer size and the interior space and comfort. Did use a bit of fuel though. Would love to have it today just to take for a Sunday cruise.

[timax]

I bought my Defender as a tow car for my PRB Clubman. (like a caterham) Crazy quick little car and just superb to drive. My one car i regret selling though was my Alfa GTV6. Gloryous engine and beautifully balanced. I did 250,000km in that car and only broke down once. Broke a roll pin in the gear selector. Oh and first car was a Moke with a cooper motor. I agree with the above a great fun little car.
The defender ....well its great in other ways!

[trout1105]

Nah. An all weather car. You just need a squeegee for the "fish n chip shop" windows.

I think it was more to do with the distributor being on the front of the engine just behind the grill, It didn't take much rain to get it wet and stop the engine.
All that is a moot point really because it didn't have a roof and I am not a fan of getting soaked when I drive soo I didn't drive it in the rain anyway [biggrin]

[sam_d]

I've always wanted a 1977 Pontiac Firebird after watching Smokey and the Bandit as a kid.

Other than that I loved the Rover SD1 as a kid and even though they have now come down into my price range I'd doubt I'd ever get one. From the outside I think they still look great but the insides are dated as anything.

[Mick_Marsh]

I think it was more to do with the distributor being on the front of the engine just behind the grill, It didn't take much rain to get it wet and stop the engine.
Easily fixed. I've driven up a river with the water over the side boxes.

[trout1105]

Easily fixed. I've driven up a river with the water over the side boxes.

I loved those side boxes, you could fit all sorts of stuff in them [thumbsupbig]
I ended up putting a rubber glove over the dizzy and the leads and this helped heaps.

[Redback]

Triumph 2.5Pi silver/blue, full leather interior, wood grain dash and steering wheel, same engine as the TR6 fuel injected 2.5l Vanguard engine, smooth fast and comfortable just a great car.

A special mento to my XB and XC GS 302V8 4sp Falcons.

[Pickles2]

I have always regretted selling my 1970 Dodge Challenger convertible, Hemi 426 & 4 speed. sold it when we married in 1975 for $5,000 to buy furniture, washing machine, fridge, etc. Now worth over $500,000. Sigh. 600+ hp Mopar Performance aftermarket engine. Fastest road car I have ever driven.

Way back I had a 1940 Chrysler Royal 8 limousine. I loved that car. The sheer size and the interior space and comfort. Did use a bit of fuel though. Would love to have it today just to take for a Sunday cruise.
A very bad decision by you! Don't know about an aftermarket engine, but I would say that with its original matching numbers 426 Hemi, it would today be worth way north of $500K. No doubt you would remember the classic (1st edition) 1970s classic, "Vanishing Point" with Barry Newman.
A pretty rare car in Aussie,..where is it now?
As you might have guessed a Dodge Challenger 426 Hemi R/T rates pretty highly with me.
The "Best" (as in engineering/design etc) car we've ever owned was a special order (built for us) AMG C63, optioned with "Performance Pack" better engine, big brakes, LSD (could never understand why this wasn't standard on this car!). A very powerful, and a very fast car, which made a beautiful "noise"! My "favorite" was a black 1985 HDT VK Calais Director, the most expensive one of its model ever built by Brock's HDT Special vehicles ($46K in 1985, which was over twice the price of a new Calais upon which it was based),..tuxedo black (I bought it s/h in 1988, I never would've chosen black!), Optioned with Leather Scheel interior, Improved output engine, T5 (5 speed) gearbox, BBS wheels, electric sunroof, HDT Stereo (amp, equalizer etc) 3.36 diff etc. A very nice car, which was the subject of several magazine articles, and which is still around in Sydney.
Pickles.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Easily fixed. I've driven up a river with the water over the side boxes.

I call bull****,,

they'd float before that happened[bigrolf]

[LRT]

Triumph 2.5Pi silver/blue, full leather interior, wood grain dash and steering wheel, same engine as the TR6 fuel injected 2.5l Vanguard engine, smooth fast and comfortable just a great car.

A special mento to my XB and XC GS 302V8 4sp Falcons.

Wow my dream car! [smilebigeye]

Manual or Automatic?

I bought an auto to get a good body as I have a rusted out S with a manual + OD box that I'm considering putting in when I rebuild the motor as there's metal flakes appearing in the oil filter housing [bigsad]

[LRT]

I call bull****,,

they'd float before that happened[bigrolf]

You could technically keep 'driving' I suppose [bigwhistle]

Amphicar - YouTube (https://youtu.be/IxnqbP5Rqhk)

[Classic88]

My first car was a Lancia Beta Coupe which was damn cool by the late 90s when I was a student.

Followed it up with a 1968 Alfa Romeo Duetto which was bloody wonderful but I sold to move to Sydney from the UK.

In between was a 1965 which looked and sounded fantastic but was a piece of garbage.

[Jojo]

132786

When the Landies are resting, I'll take the Tesla...

[Redtail]

Until last week, when I sold them both off to make room for the newly acquired D4 ...

I'd use this one to go anywhere:
132784
'99 Jeep Cherokee XJ (pretty much stock, too!)

And this one to go anywhere, in a hurry:
132788
'03 Audi TT Quattro

[Bigbjorn]

A very bad decision by you! Don't know about an aftermarket engine, but I would say that with its original matching numbers 426 Hemi, it would today be worth way north of $500K. No doubt you would remember the classic (1st edition) 1970s classic, "Vanishing Point" with Barry Newman.
A pretty rare car in Aussie,..where is it now?
As you might have guessed a Dodge Challenger 426 Hemi R/T rates pretty highly with me.
The "Best" (as in engineering/design etc) car we've ever owned was a special order (built for us) AMG C63, optioned with "Performance Pack" better engine, big brakes, LSD (could never understand why this wasn't standard on this car!). A very powerful, and a very fast car, which made a beautiful "noise"! My "favorite" was a black 1985 HDT VK Calais Director, the most expensive one of its model ever built by Brock's HDT Special vehicles ($46K in 1985, which was over twice the price of a new Calais upon which it was based),..tuxedo black (I bought it s/h in 1988, I never would've chosen black!), Optioned with Leather Scheel interior, Improved output engine, T5 (5 speed) gearbox, BBS wheels, electric sunroof, HDT Stereo (amp, equalizer etc) 3.36 diff etc. A very nice car, which was the subject of several magazine articles, and which is still around in Sydney.
Pickles.

It is still in Brisbane. Been freshened up a couple of times. Had a couple of coats of paint and is now in the original deep metallic blue. It was always a Hemi 426 but someone in the US changed over to a Mopar Performance drag race engine. Only a handful of Hemi convertibles were built and most were auto trans. Quite a rare car. The drag engine had a cast iron inlet manifold with two v. large Carter four barrels and equal length cast iron exhaust headers. A lot of surplus front end weight. I put on an aluminium inlet manifold and a single 1150 Holley and tubular exhaust headers. I sold it for $5000 because that is what it was worth in 1975 and we needed the money, being broke newly weds with a fresh mortgage. As an idea of values, in 1982 I was offered a genuine Plymouth Superbird in Owatonna, Minnesota for US$8500. I had just sold a block of land and was cashed up and wanted to buy this. I calculated it would have cost about AU$15,000 landed. SWMBO hit the roof. No Plymouth. These are now million dollar cars. In 1982 they were just a curious old race car. Bought as a play car by a prominent Owatonna businessman, never raced and rarely used. It had 17,000 miles on it. He also had a 1940 Ford coupe with Offenhauser 255 installed.

I used to run the Dodge on 115 octane Avgas. It used a lot of it too. Current owner tells me that now Avgas is unavailable he runs it on 98 Octane with 1:5 of benzol added and the ignition retarded. Compression ratio of a drag Hemi is 12:1. He says if he ever has to rebuild the engine he will get low compression pistons, about 9:1 so it will run OK on 98 unleaded.

[Tins]

Without doubt the MkII Mini Cooper S that I owned for 9 all too brief months in 1978. The most fun I've ever had with my clothes on.
2nd goes to one of the FIATs, so I'd choose the 1969 FIAT 124 AC sports Coupé, retrofitted with a 2 Litre Lancia engine and twin side draughts. Pretty car, and was capable of shattering the egos of a lot of V8 drivers.

3rd. Nostalgia mean that my first real car, other than the awful ( sorry, Nick ) FC Holdens that I tinkered with, a 1963 MGB Roadster, one out of the first shipment to land here. Boy I wish I'd kept THAT. MG prices aren't anything like what they got to, but an original, three main bearing B is still worth a bit.

Mentioned in dispatches; XA ex police interceptor. Not a GT, but wow. My first 4WD, a G60 Hardtop Patrol with a 308 in it. Later it had a Toyota 4 speed, but that was a stupid thing to do. The V8 didn't need the extra ratio, and the Nissan box was stronger.

[Classic88]

I've always wanted a 1977 Pontiac Firebird after watching Smokey and the Bandit as a kid.

Other than that I loved the Rover SD1 as a kid and even though they have now come down into my price range I'd doubt I'd ever get one. From the outside I think they still look great but the insides are dated as anything.

I bought a 1965 Mustang GT as it was my dream car as a kid. Like the Firebird, it looked amazing and sounded great but really was terrible (and terrifying) to drive. My same vintage Alfa by contrast was perfectly fine in modern traffic.

[Homestar]

I've always wanted a 1977 Pontiac Firebird after watching Smokey and the Bandit as a kid.



A mate of mine has one - as mentioned in the previous post, looks great, sounds great, goes hard in a straight line, but is a diabolical vehicle - even 'fully sorted' it tries to kill you at every turn - I mean that exactly as it's written, getting the bastard to go around a corner without feeling like you're about to die is very difficult unless it's idling, it's not a car you can drive hard. It has pretty much zero traction in the arse end and it isn't even overpowered. Understeers like a bitch even at what would be considered normal speeds to a modern car.

Add to that the rattles, bad build quality, crappy panel fit and things continually falling off it and breaking, they are a hard car to own - my mate almost never drives it because it's such a stinker but it sits in his garage next to an XB Coupe looking very nice. The XB is a very different story - a much better car to drive and turns as many heads. Both have been restored and are very good examples of their respective marques, but are chalk and cheese when it comes to driving them. Having said that, if you've got the room to keep one, then why not huh?

As to my favourites, I'm a bit boring - loved driving Dad's HQ so bought an HX and HJ after that, also owned a couple of Subaru 4WD wagons - also great cars IMO and very reliable.

[Pickles2]

It is still in Brisbane. Been freshened up a couple of times. Had a couple of coats of paint and is now in the original deep metallic blue. It was always a Hemi 426 but someone in the US changed over to a Mopar Performance drag race engine. Only a handful of Hemi convertibles were built and most were auto trans. Quite a rare car. The drag engine had a cast iron inlet manifold with two v. large Carter four barrels and equal length cast iron exhaust headers. A lot of surplus front end weight. I put on an aluminium inlet manifold and a single 1150 Holley and tubular exhaust headers. I sold it for $5000 because that is what it was worth in 1975 and we needed the money, being broke newly weds with a fresh mortgage. As an idea of values, in 1982 I was offered a genuine Plymouth Superbird in Owatonna, Minnesota for US$8500. I had just sold a block of land and was cashed up and wanted to buy this. I calculated it would have cost about AU$15,000 landed. SWMBO hit the roof. No Plymouth. These are now million dollar cars. In 1982 they were just a curious old race car. Bought as a play car by a prominent Owatonna businessman, never raced and rarely used. It had 17,000 miles on it. He also had a 1940 Ford coupe with Offenhauser 255 installed.

I used to run the Dodge on 115 octane Avgas. It used a lot of it too. Current owner tells me that now Avgas is unavailable he runs it on 98 Octane with 1:5 of benzol added and the ignition retarded. Compression ratio of a drag Hemi is 12:1. He says if he ever has to rebuild the engine he will get low compression pistons, about 9:1 so it will run OK on 98 unleaded.
Sensational,...Pickles.

[Mick_Marsh]

I loved those side boxes, you could fit all sorts of stuff in them [thumbsupbig]
I ended up putting a rubber glove over the dizzy and the leads and this helped heaps.

I found the rubber glove just kept the moisture in when it got in.

I used an old icecream container wedged between the grille and the distributor for the primary protection.
Then, there are two holes on the bottom of the distributor. I drilled and tapped them. screwed in nipples. Ran a line to vacuum. Ran a line into the cabin. sealed the distributor cap and the LT lead entry with a smear of vasalene.
Kept it dry enough.





I call bull****,,

they'd float before that happened[bigrolf]
They have drain holes, you know. Otherwise they'd fill up in a thunderstorm.
Oh, and most have rust holes (from driving up rivers).
132790132791
(Not my Moke. Just examples.)

[donh54]

Triumph Mayflower - 1250cc of neck-snapping power (alloy head side valve 4 cylinders) That was my first car. Paid $100 for it, and got $110 when I moved it on.

[hrt427_monaro]

Woman Mk1
1974 HQ Wagon 253 m20 Salisbury 10bolt diff

Datsun 120y I tried to break it never could

[101RRS]

My first car was a Lancia Beta Coupe which was damn cool by the late 90s when I was a student.


I bought this new and had it for 5 years - was actually a great car and if it still existed today I would definitely buy it back. I saw it about 7 years after I sold it and it looked like it was a refugee from a wrecking yard - bits missing and rust big time. No rust when I had it and I had it rust proofed so it must have settled down somewhere by the sea. I very much doubt that it still exists - last seen 1989 in Potts Point - let me know if you know where it is.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/1004.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/H3Bm3K)Lancia-2 (https://flic.kr/p/H3Bm3K) by Garry Collins (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150171671@N02/), on Flickr

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/1005.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/H3BjV4)Caves Beach Lookout 1979 -1 (https://flic.kr/p/H3BjV4) by Garry Collins (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150171671@N02/), on Flickr

Garry

[Classic88]

I bought this new and had it for 5 years - was actually a great car and if it still existed today I would definitely buy it back. I saw it about 7 years after I sold it and it looked like it was a refugee from a wrecking yard - bits missing and rust big time. No rust when I had it and I had it rust proofed so it must have settled down somewhere by the sea. I very much doubt that it still exists - last seen 1989 in Potts Point - let me know if you know where it is.

Garry

Yeah, rust did for mine in the end too. Amazing fun to drive though. I was a student so I had the loud exhaust and the tiny Motolita steering wheel and some spoilers on it. I still reckon it looked the business. And it was red as all little Italian cars should be.

[101RRS]

Yes I ordered red but it got lost on the ship so had to take a white one - which grew on me. It had bright red cloth seats so that made it go fast [bigsmile1].

It was that Lancia that inspired me to get a Landrover - I drove it up to Leigh Creek in SA and all around Wilpena Pound but hit a rock and bashed the sump in. Lancia sumps cook up well over a camp fire so it could get it hot enough to bash it back out with a rock.

Prior to that I drove the Lancia with trailer and Yamaha up to Dargo - leaving the car and trailer there and heading cross country to Mt Hotham where my bike got bogged in the snow as the sun disappeared - I hitch hiked back home over night and got some recovery gear and then hitched hiked back to Dargo and got the Lancia and drove it through the snow up what is now the Dargo High Plains road but then just a 4wd bush track to Mt Hotham to get my bike back - then drove back to Dargo. Being well aware that the Lancia was 2wd and very low ground clearance I got my first 4wd - a 54 Series 1 86.

Cheers

[Classic88]

Yes I ordered red but it got lost on the ship so had to take a white one - which grew on me. It had bright red cloth seats so that made it go fast.

Damn, I really want another small, red, obnoxiously noisy and unreliable Italian car now. I'd love a GTV but they've suddenly become silly money; shot up from the 20 to the 50s-70s in the last year.

[Redback]

Wow my dream car! [smilebigeye]

Manual or Automatic?

I bought an auto to get a good body as I have a rusted out S with a manual + OD box that I'm considering putting in when I rebuild the motor as there's metal flakes appearing in the oil filter housing [bigsad]

Manual of course, as were the Falcons.

[Wraithe]

One that dont break down... Sadly I have not found one vehicle yet that dont break down at all...

I only like certain models, especially the ones that the problems are easily ignored or fixed...

I have a Holden VS ute, 2000 model, V8 Auto... Been a paddock hack for a while so needs lots of work before it will get stored for the grandkids...

Landy is ok... I like the old Nissan 4wd from the 80's, with sd33 diesel. I have a couple.
Toyota 60 series, still have one but in bits at moment.

Love Minis, owned a few. Best was a 72' van with 898cc engine and box out of a mini S... Best fuel economy I could get out of a mini engine(600 klm's on 20 litres). Could do a good burnout too, but that was from my younger days before oldtimers set in...

XR fairmont, blew the engine so did an overnight engine swap. Sunday afternoon it was a 6 cyl auto, drove to work with a Cleveland V8 351 with a toploader 4 spd.. Had to lift engine to change plugs and used a chevvy tailshaft to make it all fit... The exhaust was hand made by a friend. That car had some grunt too... Few of my friends had seen a cleveland fitted into an XR and I didnt know if it would fit either...I did weld the engine mounts in(no choice, they didnt design the car for a cleveland)...

Best bush car was a Datsun 200B... Great on the dirt, just didnt handle hitting a tree, but still got me home on 3 wheels...

ps... I would love to own an Autocar... but I spose not allowed to say Autocar as its not really a car, but I would use it as one...

[Bigbjorn]

One that dont break down... Sadly I have not found one vehicle yet that dont break down at all...

I only like certain models, especially the ones that the problems are easily ignored or fixed...

I have a Holden VS ute, 2000 model, V8 Auto... Been a paddock hack for a while so needs lots of work before it will get stored for the grandkids...

Landy is ok... I like the old Nissan 4wd from the 80's, with sd33 diesel. I have a couple.
Toyota 60 series, still have one but in bits at moment.

Love Minis, owned a few. Best was a 72' van with 898cc engine and box out of a mini S... Best fuel economy I could get out of a mini engine(600 klm's on 20 litres). Could do a good burnout too, but that was from my younger days before oldtimers set in...

XR fairmont, blew the engine so did an overnight engine swap. Sunday afternoon it was a 6 cyl auto, drove to work with a Cleveland V8 351 with a toploader 4 spd.. Had to lift engine to change plugs and used a chevvy tailshaft to make it all fit... The exhaust was hand made by a friend. That car had some grunt too... Few of my friends had seen a cleveland fitted into an XR and I didnt know if it would fit either...I did weld the engine mounts in(no choice, they didnt design the car for a cleveland)...

Best bush car was a Datsun 200B... Great on the dirt, just didnt handle hitting a tree, but still got me home on 3 wheels...

ps... I would love to own an Autocar... but I spose not allowed to say Autocar as its not really a car, but I would use it as one...

I take it you mean the real big truck Autocars. Still an active brand name but now made in Ohio not Pennsylvania. Only model now are specialist garbage trucks based on the White "New Family" Road Expeditor. Autocar and Mack carve up the garbage collector truck business between them. We imported and sold a few real Autocar when I was at White Motor in the 70's-early 80's. All were long bonnet normal control with either a Detroit 8V71T or Cummins NTA420. Running gear was all heavy spec. double rail chassis, big diffs, Autocar's own front axle rated 23,000 lbs. 12515 or 12513 trans or twin stick Spicer. They made some big mother trucks including a few heavy haulage monsters with Cummins V12's.

[trog]

My astra is the one for me . Bought it new nearly five ,six months back . Been absolutely faultless a trouble free in the 2700 kms I have clocked up so far. Another year or so and I will be up for the second service at 15 000 k 🤣

[Rextheute]

Lada took us all over NSW , and bits of SA , so good ( cheap ) my dad bought one too !
Valiant is my favourite car - have owned it for a very long time
HDT is great , have owned it longer than the Vallo , was stored from 1994 till 2004 .

havent owned the lada for 20yrs , but still remember it fondly- i couldn't afford a series 2a !

[rangieman]

Mmmmmmmm Twin Cam Esky[thumbsupbig]

[Old Farang]

Had this one for 25 years, but gone now:
132817132818

[Homestar]

My astra is the one for me . Bought it new nearly five ,six months back . Been absolutely faultless a trouble free in the 2700 kms I have clocked up so far. Another year or so and I will be up for the second service at 15 000 k 🤣

I think anything would be ok after 2700KM. [biggrin] Do you only take it out on sunny Saturdays? [bigrolf]

My Hilux just went in for its 80,000KM service - it’s just over 18 months old. [bigwhistle]

[Old Farang]

Only had this one for about 18 months, after waiting near on 50 years to get it! sold along with the Rover.


132819132820132821

[Homestar]

I bought this new and had it for 5 years - was actually a great car and if it still existed today I would definitely buy it back. I saw it about 7 years after I sold it and it looked like it was a refugee from a wrecking yard - bits missing and rust big time. No rust when I had it and I had it rust proofed so it must have settled down somewhere by the sea. I very much doubt that it still exists - last seen 1989 in Potts Point - let me know if you know where it is.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/1004.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/H3Bm3K)Lancia-2 (https://flic.kr/p/H3Bm3K) by Garry Collins (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150171671@N02/), on Flickr

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/1005.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/H3BjV4)Caves Beach Lookout 1979 -1 (https://flic.kr/p/H3BjV4) by Garry Collins (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150171671@N02/), on Flickr

Garry

Great car, but we’re known for their ‘instarust’ properties. If not looked after and garaged, they all turned the way yours did after you sold it. If it was near the sea it had no chance.

[donh54]

Only had this one for about 18 months, after waiting near on 50 years to get it! sold along with the Rover.


132819132820132821
The old Mk 1 Zephyr, eh? Knew them as the Maori Mustang when I was a lad. [emoji4]

[Tins]

Only had this one for about 18 months, after waiting near on 50 years to get it! sold along with the Rover.


132819132820132821

MK1 Zephyr Drophead? Whatever made you decide to let that go?? OK, dynamically not in the top ten, but what a way to cut a dash on Silom Road..

[trog]

I think anything would be ok after 2700KM. [biggrin] Do you only take it out on sunny Saturdays? [bigrolf]

My Hilux just went in for its 80,000KM service - it’s just over 18 months old. [bigwhistle]

Went down to v8 Ian's once ! Even took it off road to park behind his bus.

[Old Farang]

MK1 Zephyr Drophead? Whatever made you decide to let that go?? OK, dynamically not in the top ten, but what a way to cut a dash on Silom Road..
Silom Road was the very problem! It is virtually impossible to import ANY car to Thailand. I did bring my 2 door Rangy in many years ago, but if I had tried it with this one it would never have cleared Customs. The car is still in Perth as far as I know, the new owner has a Ford museum, about 40 cars in it.

[Homestar]

Went down to v8 Ian's once ! Even took it off road to park behind his bus.

You realise that’s devalued it! - Not taking it off road - taking it to Ian’s... [bigwhistle]

[Stuck]

It's the LC / LJ Torana for me. Never been without one since before I got my licence and had 4 "in stock", as one of my neighbors put it, at one point (current one's an LJ GTR). Also had a VF Valiant sedan with the 225 leaning tower of power. Paid $180 for it with 10 months freight in about 1990, Rough as guts to look at, a fair share of rust, frequently fouled No. 5 cylinder and when the oil light flickered whilst cornering, that was the low oil indicator and it flickered often. Despite the best efforts of myself and the multitude of mates that borrowed it, the old girl never failed anyone in that 10 months plus I got $200 for it unreg. Last seen late '90's under a carport still with no rego plates.

[dirvine]

Had a few in my time, but all the favourites have been mainly open top "sports cars". 1st car at 18 was a TF 1250 MG, then a Honda 800s, S1 Landy that hardly ever had the roof on (not really a sports car), then a Morgan 4/4. Then marriage got in the way. But still bought a BL MGB. As a performance car my 1310 Mini Cooper S with straight cut gearbox and set up for racing and rallying was a superb vehicle. Also in the same vain was the Ford twin cam Escort of Stillwells that I won at Bathurst when their team ran out of money. All in all I have owned or "temporarily" owned (I used to do cars up and then on sell them when I was young from home and annoyed the crap out of my dad) probably more than 100 cars. Worst cars I ever owned were a Porche and an Alfa Rpmeo GTV. Just expensive pieces of German and italian junk. So bloody temperamental!

[Tins]

Silom Road was the very problem! It is virtually impossible to import ANY car to Thailand. I did bring my 2 door Rangy in many years ago, but if I had tried it with this one it would never have cleared Customs. The car is still in Perth as far as I know, the new owner has a Ford museum, about 40 cars in it.




Hard call. Bangkok, Zephyr, Bangkok, Zephyr. I think I understand your choice. It's possible I may wind up there myself.

[mike123]

HX LE Monaro. The first was stolen :-( . The next one I that I had I had the 308 slightly worked. It was a very comfortable car and made the drive Sydney to Adelaide and back very pleasant. Just purred along.

[Bigbjorn]

It's the LC / LJ Torana for me. Never been without one since before I got my licence and had 4 "in stock", as one of my neighbors put it, at one point (current one's an LJ GTR). Also had a VF Valiant sedan with the 225 leaning tower of power. Paid $180 for it with 10 months freight in about 1990, Rough as guts to look at, a fair share of rust, frequently fouled No. 5 cylinder and when the oil light flickered whilst cornering, that was the low oil indicator and it flickered often. Despite the best efforts of myself and the multitude of mates that borrowed it, the old girl never failed anyone in that 10 months plus I got $200 for it unreg. Last seen late '90's under a carport still with no rego plates.

Never came across a Slant Six that bad. It must have done a lot of miles and a lot of work. They usually lived forever. If they were using a quart of oil in 5000 miles between changes they were considered badly worn. I managed a fleet for a while that had 70 AP6 & VC Valiants as reps cars. Most trouble and maintenance free vehicles I ever came across. Country reps had three on the tree manuals and city reps had Torqueflite autos. The country cars wore out clutches and the city cars wore out brake linings. No other problems.

I had a 1952 Ferrari 212 Export for a while but I didn't list this as a favourite car. Troublesome and unreliable. I battled with its problems for 18 months before giving up and trading it on a 59 Corvette. The Fazazz was a real hoot whilst everything was operating the way the designers intended but it couldn't keep this up for long. The vette was quicker, reliable, low maintenance, started first time every time, and was a far more satisfactory sports car than the Ferrari. The Ferrari cured me of any taste for Italian exotica.

[Chrisette]

No images, but I've always regretted selling my 1993 Suzuki Sierra and my 1956 Austin Gypsy.
But not so much that I'd sell the Disco to go back 😀

Sent from my Moto G (4) using AULRO mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=78345)

[101RRS]

These must still be some of my favourite non landie cars as I still have them - the jag for 35 years (not on the road at the moment) and the Haflinger for 5years and is registered and running well.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/1043.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/DSWqJo)On the track (https://flic.kr/p/DSWqJo) by Garry Collins (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150171671@N02/), on Flickr

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/1044.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/H5e2FM)20160725_142837 (https://flic.kr/p/H5e2FM) by Garry Collins (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150171671@N02/), on Flickr

Garry

[mick88]

Two vehicles I regret selling are a Portsea Blue 1968 HK Holden Monaro GTS, 186S, four speed, and a Suzuki LJ50V Hardtop, 540cc 3 cylinder two stroke.
Both would be good collectables to own today.

Cheers, Mick.

[Classic88]

Never came across a Slant Six that bad. It must have done a lot of miles and a lot of work. They usually lived forever. If they were using a quart of oil in 5000 miles between changes they were considered badly worn. I managed a fleet for a while that had 70 AP6 & VC Valiants as reps cars. Most trouble and maintenance free vehicles I ever came across. Country reps had three on the tree manuals and city reps had Torqueflite autos. The country cars wore out clutches and the city cars wore out brake linings. No other problems.

I had a 1952 Ferrari 212 Export for a while but I didn't list this as a favourite car. Troublesome and unreliable. I battled with its problems for 18 months before giving up and trading it on a 59 Corvette. The Fazazz was a real hoot whilst everything was operating the way the designers intended but it couldn't keep this up for long. The vette was quicker, reliable, low maintenance, started first time every time, and was a far more satisfactory sports car than the Ferrari. The Ferrari cured me of any taste for Italian exotica.

I assume you wish you'd just put the Ferrari in a barn and forgotten about it for a few decades!

[Bigbjorn]

I assume you wish you'd just put the Ferrari in a barn and forgotten about it for a few decades!

With the accuracy of hindsight, yes. But in 1963 I was 22 y.o, the Ferrari represented every penny I had in the world and I spent more time curing its ills than driving it. It had to go. I needed a daily driver not a weekend warrior. I had a few other cars that now I wished I had been able to keep.

What are now considered valuable classics were then just old bombs or curiousities of little value. An alfa-Romeo GP car from the early 30's was sitting in a repo. yard in Fortitude Valley. They wanted 1500 quid for it. I reckon they would have accepted any reasonable offer. Just an old and obsolete race car not even competitive in Oz club racing. Now worth millions.

[Classic88]

A GTV crossed with a Deefer could be my ideal car


https://www.youtube.com/watch'time_continue=208&v=Ap0AXqTj3mk

[pop058]

HX LE Monaro. The first was stolen :-( . The next one I that I had I had the 308 slightly worked. It was a very comfortable car and made the drive Sydney to Adelaide and back very pleasant. Just purred along.

HX LE Coupe [biggrin]

[mike123]

HX LE Coupe [biggrin]

Yep that is the one and only. My first one still had the 8 track in it and I had only one 8 track cassette the got used a fair bit.

[FisherX]

My all time favorite car and still have it is my Sigma Turbo. Don't laugh goes hard as ***k and is a blast to drive.

132865

Second fav was the XJ8 Jag that was my daily but had to go to make room for the 95 RRC.

132866

Third is the Leyland P76 that is in a thousand bits atm but I'm looking to put the all the running gear from a XJ8 into it over the next few years.

And last is the XJ6 jag I have. Just so pretty to look at.

132867

Others I've really enjoyed was the P6 Rover, XW Futura, XE Falcon S pac and the 59 VW Beatle.

[solmanic]

Couldn't resist another opportunity to post a photo of the G-Wagen and risk banning...

132876

[Classic88]

Couldn't resist another opportunity to post a photo of the G-Wagen and risk banning...

132876

I thought only Kardashians drove those? [bigrolf]

[Wraithe]

Cummins NTA420.

Thats a new one on me Bigjorn... Dont you mean the NTA320... 400 hp was the KT1150...

The V12 would have been V1710, not sure what rating it was back then but 850 hp is the norm once they change over to the VT28 designation...

Yes I was referring to the bonnetted models, the RAAF had some as well quite a few mining companies... They are part of the so called big boys, Kenworth, Mack, White and there where other brands in that line up...

Autocar's fit quite well... I towed a couple of trailers for a friend while he was having a new engine fitted to one of his, 2 Autocars... I liked the truck, even tho it was getting old... I had a W model Kenworth at the time and he liked my toy, so it was a mutual liking of each others toys...

[Bigbjorn]

Thats a new one on me Bigjorn... Dont you mean the NTA320... 400 hp was the KT1150...

The V12 would have been V1710, not sure what rating it was back then but 850 hp is the norm once they change over to the VT28 designation...

Yes I was referring to the bonnetted models, the RAAF had some as well quite a few mining companies... They are part of the so called big boys, Kenworth, Mack, White and there where other brands in that line up...

Autocar's fit quite well... I towed a couple of trailers for a friend while he was having a new engine fitted to one of his, 2 Autocars... I liked the truck, even tho it was getting old... I had a W model Kenworth at the time and he liked my toy, so it was a mutual liking of each others toys...

NTA420 is correct. 420 hp @ 2300 rpm. A rating supposedly reserved for crane carriers and fire appliances. Yes a V1710 in the biggest Autocars. I don't know what the rating was. RAAF had some with 6-71N, Allison, and scow stern dump bodies. Western Collieries had some 6 x 6 Autocar with mining bodies. I remember the last one we sold. It went to East Kimberley Transport at Wyndham for 6 deck cattle carrying. The 855 Cummins came in ratings up to 475 with twin stage turbos in the 1980's. The few KTA's that went into on-road trucks were mostly KTA525. KTA's were limited in application in road going trucks as they are too damn heavy and overweight on the front axle or nearly so. Autocar were then owned by White. Part of "The Big Four" as White promoted them. White, Autocar, Freightliner, Western Star.

Edit :- In the 1970's Cummins 855 series for on road trucks came in the following ratings to my sure knowledge - NH250, NTC290, NTC335, NTC350. The NTA420 @ 2300 we ordered in Autocars were for crane carriers & fire appliances. We wanted over 400 hp and a little mishandling of the truth was the way to get it. Late 70's came the "Big Cam" series of the 855. rated 300, 350, & 400 hp @ 2100 followed by the "Formula" so called economy engines. Same ratings but at 1900. Cummins wanted these to have 7 speed or 9 speed trans to make the drivers use the full torque curve and not keeping the engine up at the higher rpm range all the time. This was supposedly the path to improved fuel economy. Drivers hated them. Those V12 autocars left the factory at 525 hp. I bet the wick got turned up as those engine could be rated at 800+. At ;east one was repowered by the owners with a KTA turned up to 800 ph. I cant find anything on what trans. were fitted. They did have super singles all around in duals on the drive.

[rrturboD]

Citroen ID-19 (1958) my first Citroen ... underpowered but SO comfortable on the road, and amazing roadholding (bitumen and dirt) even given the 165x400 Michelin X tyres. Been sitting in a shed since 1985, and now about to be restored by my son.
... re photo ... I will have to scan one as all taken with a real camera.

[Tins]

HX LE Coupe [biggrin]

A turd, by any other name, is still a...

[pop058]

A turd, by any other name, is still a...

it paid homage to the Munro but was not one.

[timax]

A GTV crossed with a Deefer could be my ideal car


https://www.youtube.com/watch'time_continue=208&v=Ap0AXqTj3mk

No we are talkin ! Needs a bit better engineering though.

[Stuck]

Never came across a Slant Six that bad. It must have done a lot of miles and a lot of work. They usually lived forever. If they were using a quart of oil in 5000 miles between changes they were considered badly worn.

I had a mate that borrowed it to do a "last minute run" to make scrutineering towing a car float to Eastern Creek when his tow car broke down. Another mate took it well into Queensland with my Dad's box trailer in tow to retrieve his BIL who'd laid his bike down. Such was the faith in the Valiant. The crowning moment though was when the RTA and the police had a flying squad set up checking coal trucks just north of the Swansea bridge. We got waved in (yes, in a car) and the copper had a walk around and came back with "this thing's got 2 day's rego left on it and nobody's going to write a pink slip for it so I'm not going to waste my time writing a defect notice" and waved us back out.

[Pickles2]

HX LE Monaro. The first was stolen :-( . The next one I that I had I had the 308 slightly worked. It was a very comfortable car and made the drive Sydney to Adelaide and back very pleasant. Just purred along.
HX LE Monaro,....Very very nice indeed,...one of my favorite Monaros, Leo Pruneau who was largely responsible for its design, had the original as his company car, and He liked it so much, He kept it for a year or so after it would normally be replaced. It is treasured by its current owner who will never let it go!
They are highly sought after in the Monaro Club,...problem now is the tartan trim,..almost impossible to replace,...a friend of mine, a well known member of the Monaro Club, bought what He thought was the last available many years ago for $5K, enough to do the whole car, but He kept the original stuff,...just in case.
Pickles.

[mike123]

Yes the seats with the tartan trim would be impossible to recover nowadays. I found the narrow chome dress rims on the honey comb wheels was another item that needed TLC.

[justinc]

I have a customer with a l322 v8 vogue and an LE monaro. Absolutely beautiful car...

[Bigbjorn]

NTA420 is correct. 420 hp @ 2300 rpm. A rating supposedly reserved for crane carriers and fire appliances. Yes a V1710 in the biggest Autocars. I don't know what the rating was. RAAF had some with 6-71N, Allison, and scow stern dump bodies. Western Collieries had some 6 x 6 Autocar with mining bodies. I remember the last one we sold. It went to East Kimberley Transport at Wyndham for 6 deck cattle carrying. The 855 Cummins came in ratings up to 475 with twin stage turbos in the 1980's. The few KTA's that went into on-road trucks were mostly KTA525. KTA's were limited in application in road going trucks as they are too damn heavy and overweight on the front axle or nearly so. Autocar were then owned by White. Part of "The Big Four" as White promoted them. White, Autocar, Freightliner, Western Star.

Edit :- In the 1970's Cummins 855 series for on road trucks came in the following ratings to my sure knowledge - NH250, NTC290, NTC335, NTC350. The NTA420 @ 2300 we ordered in Autocars were for crane carriers & fire appliances. We wanted over 400 hp and a little mishandling of the truth was the way to get it. Late 70's came the "Big Cam" series of the 855. rated 300, 350, & 400 hp @ 2100 followed by the "Formula" so called economy engines. Same ratings but at 1900. Cummins wanted these to have 7 speed or 9 speed trans to make the drivers use the full torque curve and not keeping the engine up at the higher rpm range all the time. This was supposedly the path to improved fuel economy. Drivers hated them. Those V12 Autocars left the factory at 525 hp. I bet the wick got turned up as those engines could be rated at 800+. At least one was repowered by the owners with a KTA turned up to 800 hp. I cant find anything on what trans. were fitted. They did have super singles all around in duals on the drive.



Well a bit more internet research turned up that the trans was a 6 speed Allison, 30,000 lb front axle (Autocar made their own axles and they were GOOD!), monster hub reduction diffs, a bonnet like a billiard table. Numbers built are hazy. Some say only the one and others say up to five. Autocar have changed hands and moved house twice since then and no records exist.

I found a photo of two Autocar in WWII moving a battleship gun barrel down what looks like a steep grade. Lashed to a cradle between the two trucks, the front mover travelled in the normal direction and the rear one was travelling in reverse. The cradle was mounted on the truck's turntables. Given the poor brakes of the era this could have been an exciting drive. Battleship 16" guns weighed around 50 tons, big and long.

[shanegtr]

It's the LC / LJ Torana for me. Never been without one since before I got my licence and had 4 "in stock", as one of my neighbors put it, at one point (current one's an LJ GTR).
Another fan of the LC/J Torana here (where my username comes from). I've still got the first car I ever brought - LJ GTR. Thinking about putting a cage in it for doing targa rallies one day (with 4 kids its not a suitable family cruiser so might as well have some real fun with it)
Favourite 4wd for me is the 80 series Landcruiser - have owned two of them and I never sold one of them, but unfortantly both written off. I would have brought another one before my disco but the D3 has far better 3rd row seating so its a better suited vehicle for a family of 4 kids

[Markf]

Apart from Land Rovers my two standouts were a 997cc Mini Cooper blue with a white roof. Went like stink for a motor under a litre. Had John Cooper extractors, inlet manifold and a couple of HS2 SU's. Drank a lot of fuel for a little car but I tended to drive it pretty hard.

My other standout was a NSU Ro80.
It wasn't reliable, fast or comfortable but it was eye catching. It could drink more than a 3.5L classic RR EASILY and could require the use of a mate and a tow rope at any moment. It also leaked more oil than any LR has ever leaked. I'm not sure what cost me more. Fuel, oil, apex seals or CV joints. Changing gears took a while to get used to with its quirky vacuum operated clutch. Push down gently on the gear stick and it disengaged the clutch, put it in the wanted gear and let go of the gear stick.

[VladTepes]

I had an XB Falcon Utility.

I LOVED that car. Wish I still had it they are commanding a few $$$ these days.
Next time I win lotto I'm gonna corner the XB/XC ute market.. :)

[pop058]

I had an XB Falcon Utility.

I LOVED that car. Wish I still had it they are commanding a few $$$ these days.
Next time I win lotto I'm gonna corner the XB/XC ute market.. :)

You might need to buy shares in the rust replacement panel company while you are at it. [biggrin]

[V8Ian]

You might need to buy shares in the rust replacement panel company while you are at it. [biggrin]
Meat Loaf - You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth (Hot Summer Night) - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wO8toxinoc)

[Tote]

Speaking of XBs (and rust) my second car was an XB GS 2 door that ended up with about 300,000Km on it before it succumbed to too many rough roads, rust and not enough love.

132925

It's pictured getting a new engine after I tore the sump out on the way home one night. Ended up with 302 heads and a 351 crank running abut 11.5:1 compression. Went very well indeed.

Other cars that I would have liked to own were a V8 Torana hatch and I had a mate with a HZ 1 tonner, powder blue with a Premier front and GTS gauges that I lusted after.

Regards,
Tote

[101RRS]

132925



Who is that guy in the pic - doesn't look anything like the Tote I know [thumbsupbig]

[Tote]

Wasn't me, that's why, I was taking the photo, he was helping with the engine...

Regards,
Tote

[grey_ghost]

Hi All,

I've owned many cars - Holden, Mitsubishi, Skoda, Suzuki, Land Rover, Subaru, Peugeot, Mini.. And driven (company cars) - Toyota, Ford, Holden, Mazda. I'm sure that I've missed a few.

Anyway - apart from my Landy's - here are my top 3 favourites:

1. Suzuki Cappuccinio
3 Cyl, 667 CC, turbo, rear-wheel-drive.
T-Top, Hard Top, Convertible.
Mine was highly modified and had double the factory horsepower..

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/12/27.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ZZ7nX1)Cappo (https://flic.kr/p/ZZ7nX1) by Grey Ghost (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156172026@N07/), on Flickr

2. Mitsubishi FTO
2.0, V6, Mivec - it used to SING when the second cam kicked in..

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/12/28.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/225qTcB)FTO (https://flic.kr/p/225qTcB) by Grey Ghost (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156172026@N07/), on Flickr

3. Clubman S
First restoration project.
Cooper S front disk brakes (tiny!)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/12/29.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/WnmMEq)Limey_zpsa93ae2c3 (https://flic.kr/p/WnmMEq) by Grey Ghost (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156172026@N07/), on Flickr

Cheers,
GG.

[crash]

No photos, all of these I still have in various states of "repair" all a favourite for different reasons.
1) 72 AMC Hornet - (okay my dad bought it for my older brother and it got handed down to me) - was my first car when I got my licence - was abused and driven hard - I believe if I went and put fuel in it it would fire right up.
2) 52 Fargo Ute - first attempt at restoring a vehicle
3) 68 Dodge Dart - 4 door - first car I bought - bought from a REPO auction for the 318 motor in it to put into another Fargo ute but ended up driving it instead. Was two tone white and rust.
4) 74 Pymouth Satellite Sebring Plus - bought from my brother - but has some major rust issues in the rear qrts. Would love to restore - has more sentimental value and would probably cost more to restore than what it is worth but I can not find another in better shape with the full options mine has
5) 52 Willys Jeep with a small block V8

[67hardtop]

My first car was a Standard 8. See through floors. Cost me $50 from Kellerberrin, i lived in Merredin WA. I taught myself to drive in it on bush tracks and along railway line access roads me and mates used to ride our motor bikes along. It was red so went really fast....not. motor used to sieze up when it got hot. Used to pull the head off and use oil and a block of wood and 3lb hammer to get it moving again then bolt the head back on and off we'd go again. Copper head gasket painted with silver paint. Went for ages till the next time it got hot...lol. Next car was a 1964 toyota crown 4 cyl 2speed auto. I think the standard 8 had more guts and that was only an 800cc 4cyl. Ahhh memories....

Cheers Rod

[jonesfam]

My first car.
A Ford XT ute with 302 Windsor, some big Motha twin barrel carbie, 2.5 exhaust & second hand extractors that didn't quite fit properly.
Bought it for a few hundred & drove it like I stole it.
It was never washed/cleaned, had grass growing in the tray, you put your feet above the twin system as a heater, the doors filled with water when it rained, it would light up the rear tyres in 3rd (top) gear, only really used top gear & you would have to regularly stop to let it cool down.
We once had 11 people (teenagers) in the cab & drove it. Would put 2 old arm chairs in the back with an Esky in between & back her into the Drive in.
Was called "Ginger" because of the rust.
Motor caught fire twice, just replaced all the leads & tubes & away she went again. Battery holder was a wire coat hanger.
No seat belts & a bench seat so you learnt to hook your elbow over the door so you didn't slide along the seat in hard cornering.
Great car to learn how to drive properly in.
I think it was fast? It was certainly loud.

Jonesfam

[101RRS]

Wasn't me, that's why, I was taking the photo, he was helping with the engine...

Regards,
Tote

Ok that explains it - was wondering what happened to those youthful good looks [wink11]

[Wraithe]

Well a bit more internet research turned up that the trans was a 6 speed Allison, 30,000 lb front axle (Autocar made their own axles and they were GOOD!), monster hub reduction diffs, a bonnet like a billiard table. Numbers built are hazy. Some say only the one and others say up to five. Autocar have changed hands and moved house twice since then and no records exist.

I found a photo of two Autocar in WWII moving a battleship gun barrel down what looks like a steep grade. Lashed to a cradle between the two trucks, the front mover travelled in the normal direction and the rear one was travelling in reverse. The cradle was mounted on the truck's turntables. Given the poor brakes of the era this could have been an exciting drive. Battleship 16" guns weighed around 50 tons, big and long.

I didnt realise the 420 was from the early days prior to the NTA and NTC... I started getting involved with trucks in the mid 80's, thus a lot of the earlier stuff was being shoved aside...NH series engines where just too small...

The Autocar going to Wyndham was probably the one that RTA(road trains australia, Noel Buntine) bought.. He was quite inovative even the gov didnt want to make it easy... His slid some axle groups up under the trailers more to make them follow there own tracks... Gov said no for road use...

The NTC series is one line of engine I love... Having had a few trucks with them in... Best that I LIked was the Black series, New Big Cam IV, the last of the mechanicals before the N14 series... I had a 400 hp but this series went to 444 and have been told of a 450, but havent found any info on that... The 365 redhead wasnt popular... The biggest issue with this series was over revving, if you took it past 1,900 it would crack the injector nozzles... In my case I work lower in the revv's thus I never had an issue...

15 spd RR where popular back in the 70's and 80's, also the Spicer box's, but drivers didnt like them because of the clunky way of changing gears... Another box that was good for heavy work but not liked by the inexperienced with the Plex box's that Mack used...

I remember seeing an old original Autocar, it had top load diffs just like the Mack diffs... Its a good concept that sadly disappeared...

As for the KTA's, they couldnt be overloaded... That engine was incredible when loaded up... They could pull heavy all day and love the work... Fuel economy? what fuel economy, they used the same empty as loaded... The K's where 450, 525, 650... The understanding of the 450 was the horsepower maximum allowed for trucks, when that engine came out... The weight was an issue but here in WA, the trucks running north needed heavy front axles due to the road conditions, anyway...


I worked for a guy that got 3,000,000 k's out of a KTA450 in his first truck, a W model Kenworth... I was told the engine is now at Cummins in Sydney, on display... It was an untouched engine thus Cummins bought it off him for the cost of a new one for the truck... The blokes name is Gary Sartori... I remember the reason it was replaced, Aerostart could no longer start it, the driver told me he had a can up to the aircleaner and it would stop the moment he stopped spraying... With those sort of K's you cant complain about it stopping...The work started with heavy haulage and road trains and ended with single trailer only...

The V12 cummins engines will open up past 1,200 hp... VT28 would be the easiest to do that too...

Talking about upping the power, better off balancing and blue printing and leave the fuel system alone... You can get better economy and power and at the same time, increase the overall life of the engine... Makes more economic sense... Which is why I did that to my 400 NBC IV, it enjoyed pulling stock crates up Bindoon hill and leaving a mates KTA525 for dead on the hill...

[1950landy]

Here are a few of my favorite cars that I have owned 133095 The Red FE Holden is the only car that I have owned that I regretted selling the moment I sold it , I would buy it back tomorrow if it turned up. The photo was taken early in ownership before the 8"X13" wheels went on , suspension dropped 2 1/2" , A lot of work to the motor & Extractors with a small Hot Dog muffler & 2" copper pipe out the back. [biggrin]
The Mini Deluxe could blow off a Mk2 Cooper "S" . The HD Ute was lowered 2" , slightly worked motor & sports exhaust . At one stage I was running 10" x 13" wheels on the back with Dunlop racing rubber but they caused the car to steer from the back [bighmmm] so I sold them on for safety reasons. The HQ Kingswood was bought new & optioned with Premier interior & sported a set of 7" mags after wearing out the original tires. The XR Falcon belonged to my brother , it was standard with an Impala in line shift & GT Falcon wheels.

This is my wife's favorite car that we have owned 133097She was not happy when I sold it & every car that we have owned since she tells me it is not as good as the ROVER.:whistling:
It had 500,000 km on the clock when we sold it & had never let us down . It was getting to the stage that it would need some serious money spending on it & the market value was dropping to the point it was not viable to repair. I tried to buy it back about 3 years after we sold it but the guy didn't want to sell it. :thumbsdown:
I am not sure what the guy with the camera was trying to say here but I don't think it is what it looks like [biggrin] The wedding was one of the other Rover Car Club Members.

[V8Ian]

HG Kingswood, don't you mean HQ?

[1950landy]

HG Kingswood, don't you mean HQ?
You are wright I have fixed it up. Don't know why I typed G when it is nowhere near Q on the key board . Must have been a seniors moment.:wheelchair: Thanks.

[travelrover]

Had this one for 25 years, but gone now:
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Got my first speeding ticket in one of those, cops only caught me cos I had to slow down for roadworks:-)

[travelrover]

These must still be some of my favourite non landie cars as I still have them - the jag for 35 years (not on the road at the moment) and the Haflinger for 5years and is registered and running well.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/1043.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/DSWqJo)On the track (https://flic.kr/p/DSWqJo) by Garry Collins (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150171671@N02/), on Flickr

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/11/1044.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/H5e2FM)20160725_142837 (https://flic.kr/p/H5e2FM) by Garry Collins (https://www.flickr.com/photos/150171671@N02/), on Flickr

Garry

Saw a duck egg blue V12 roadster “cruising” last Sunday, nice sunny day, very nice lookin motor gov!

[loanrangie]

After a string of early holdens, EH,HR,FC (which i still have) i bought a 1976 TA23 Celica. 1.6ltr 5spd, 2" exhaust with P&P head, 13x8 rebel racing wheels, lowered 2" with gas shocks, coloured body after removing all chrome. Suzuki LJ50 3cyl 550cc powerhouse, couldnt pull the skin off a rice pudding but would follow the horse tracks in the bush near where we lived. I could just get it to 80kph down Barkers Rd Hawthorn with a tail wind.
Great little car, handled like it was on rails and just fun to drive.

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