Thread: Australians turn their backs on Holden

The highway patrol here used to run the Turbo VL.

Someone once told me it was the front shape of the VL that didn't do the cooling system any favours,dunno how true that was.

Not a lot wrong with the next few models with the buick v6,great low down torque and fuel economy,but a bit of harshness at times.

The later models with the V6 were better,as the engine evolved.

Had many Holdens over the years,the last being a 5.0L VS,SS,HSV enhanced.

Then moved on to Land Rovers....

Originally Posted by scarry

The highway patrol here used to run the Turbo VL.

Someone once told me it was the front shape of the VL that didn't do the cooling system any favours,dunno how true that was.

Not a lot wrong with the next few models with the buick v6,great low down torque and fuel economy,but a bit of harshness at times.

The later models with the V6 were better,as the engine evolved.

Had many Holdens over the years,the last being a 5.0L VS,SS,HSV enhanced.

Then moved on to Land Rovers....

Yes, you've sparked my memory. That was also an issue, due to the the slim (miniscule) grille on the vl's.
Oh god, the memories that r now starting to come back to me.....

Originally Posted by 16PMark

Yes, you've sparked my memory. That was also an issue, due to the the slim (miniscule) grille on the vl's.
Oh god, the memories that r now starting to come back to me.....

Now, sparking my memory....

There was some sort of height difference between the top of the motor and the top of the rad,that caused the issue.

It was extremely difficult to bleed,and air pockets used to form in the head,and it would overheat and crack,no matter how well it was bled.

This is stretching my memory.

Originally Posted by scarry

Now, sparking my memory....

There was some sort of height difference between the top of the motor and the top of the rad,that caused the issue.

It was extremely difficult to bleed,and air pockets used to form in the head,and it would overheat and crack,no matter how well it was bled.

This is stretching my memory.

Yes, absolutely.
Your memory is firing on all six, as now is mine.
Ahh, those were the days.

Even the VB and VC needed the bumper positioned as close to the grille as possible on the race cars or they'd overheat.
Wasn't so much of an issue on road cars.
Flogged a VC wagon unmercifully for a few years, my kart fitted perfectly in the back.

Originally Posted by rick130

Even the VB and VC needed the bumper positioned as close to the grille as possible on the race cars or they'd overheat.
Wasn't so much of an issue on road cars.
Flogged a VC wagon unmercifully for a few years, my kart fitted perfectly in the back.

Yeah, my VB V8 wagon used to overheat if I drove it above 160 for prolonged periods. Under 160 was fine.

Originally Posted by speleomike

Sometimes supporting an inefficient industry is good strategically in case there are world events that preclude importation for some years. It's not likely at present but things can change suddenly and unexpectedly. For the same reason we should be able to extract and process our own oil to diesel and petrol. It doesn't have to be 100%, just enough that we can manage for a while until it gets ramped up, if the need arises. Not all industries have a strategic value, but some do.

Mike

Agree, a work mate once mentioned that its a good idea to keep the production ability within the country - in the case of a major war you can re tool and produce military vehicles. Makes sense on a strategic basis to me.

Originally Posted by shanegtr

Agree, a work mate once mentioned that its a good idea to keep the production ability within the country - in the case of a major war you can re tool and produce military vehicles. Makes sense on a strategic basis to me.

Lots of industry was here for that reason.

Both steel works
Shipyard
Refineries
Oil production

Won’t be much use having an industry if we can’t get oil and make fuel....