Thread: Holden axed in Aussie.

We only had Holdens and Land Rovers,for private vehicles.Boring ,I know.

Favourite was my first car a ‘74 HQ ute with the upgraded front disc brakes,bull bar,202 3 on the tree,and a 3.08 diff from a Torana,so on a big hill going out to the property other side of Moonie,on the long straights it would wind off the speedo.

I remember on one attempt a group of Emus decided to commit suicide,I locked it up and ploughed into the last one which was huge.It smashed one of the headlights,no loss,they weren’t much better than candles anyway,those sealed beams,spotlights were a must.

Did over 300 000k,s in that ute,later got a fibreglass canopy,the Engle was permanently in the back.Always out camping in it,one Friday night we decided to go to Carnarvon gorge for a long weekend,drove through the night to get there.Heaps of dirt roads to get there in those days.The things we used to do when we were younger.

SWMBO had a HR sedan,186,power glide,went well until it got stolen.....Didn’t need a key to start it

Then HZ wagon,VN Dunny Dore,and last VS SS HSV.

That VS was a nice car as well,and that VN used to get 30 mpg on a run no worries,the VS with the Holden V8 was pretty good on fuel as well.

Originally Posted by Saitch

The Falcon was Falcon in name only previously, too. An early 'World Car' attempt, perhaps? The European built Granada. (1985 model) Had a run from '71 to '94.

Attachment 158078

Sure, but can you show me ONE part they had in common with the XD?

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This, however, had MANY parts that crossed over. The engines didn't, but the best bit, the IRS, didn't come to the Commodore, unchanged, until the high end VP, nearly 20 years later. . This car is why the Commodore had such narrow suspension on such a wide car up until the VR.

The XD looked like a Granada. The Commodore was an Opel. Not a lot wrong with either approach, but get it right if you want to pick sides.




I don't excuse Ford BTW. The Cortina and Escort were British, the Capri ( not the convertible ) was both British and German, The Mondeo harks from many places.

The Torana made a lot of sense. Developing cars costs huge sums, and Holden was in trouble, as was Chrysler ( remember Centura? ) and Ford. Australia was, and still is, a VERY small market. It's astonishing that the Falcon nameplate lasted as long as it did. 56 years is an incredible run. Holden could have had even better, but they went from "Special" to "Kingswood" to "Commodore", so there was no continuity.

Remember, companies such as Datsun ( Nissan), Renault, Peugot, VW, all tried their hand at building cars here ( CKD sure, but they tried ) and all failed. Oh, and Toyota at Altona, also gone. With lots of Aussie $$$, if I'm not mistaken.

Back to the Capri: was there any more an ambitious scheme than Ford Australia's attempt at a true sports car? Poor timing and so so build quality sank the Aussie Capri, which was a shame. The Fiat Barchetta was better, and then of course the MX5 sank both of them.

Originally Posted by Tombie

For some unknown reason it will likely go Up.
Human fascination with old stuff is a unique phenomenon!

LOL. I see people with restored EH Holdens and I laugh. The thing was a piece of **** when new, so why is it so good 55 years on? I don't restrict my mirth to the EH BTW. I have a 1969 Fiat 124 Sport. It's a terrible car. But, unlike the EH, it looks good. It would be far better to repower it with a Nissan or Honda engine, and the purists would scream. If it made it to a meeting without falling apart from rust. But I love it for some unknown reason.

I don't believe in throwing things away because they are old. My old LRs are still quite capable vehicles, and they have eclipsed the "carbon footprint " of any Tesla, but they are not a new LR by any mean. I hate the 'throw your power saw away because the blade is blunt" mentality, but I also understand why people are charged with desire for, say, the new Defender. I am also aware that that desire will last until the 'next' thing.

I have lots of "old stuff". I just wish I could find someone to buy it all.

John, I don’t have a problem with the keeping of ‘old stuff’

I am just stunned at the ridiculous prices people are willing to pay for it

In recent years I’ve revisited some memories - gone to places, done things, driven certain vehicles. I can almost categorically say; some things are best kept as fantastic memories. The modern reality often doesn’t match.

Originally Posted by Tombie

John, I don’t have a problem with the keeping of ‘old stuff’

I am just stunned at the ridiculous prices people are willing to pay for it

In recent years I’ve revisited some memories - gone to places, done things, driven certain vehicles. I can almost categorically say; some things are best kept as fantastic memories. The modern reality often doesn’t match.

Indeed. I have a 2005 Falcon BA. In every way it is a better car than the stuff I would yearn for, if I were nostalgic. (I am nostalgic, BTW, but that's another topic for another day. )

Originally Posted by Johndoe

First holden i owned was a HT wagon, 3 on the tree.
Last holden i owned was a VT Calais.
Owned pretty much all in between.

I loved the badge. I loved the cars.

Countless fun times in those cars, memories i can not replace.
Because they break down i learned how to work on cars rather than pay mechanics....like my land rover does today

I know you all hate them but not me.

Wong. I don't hate them.... I hate the thinking.

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

A history of Holden in Australia – timeline

A history of Holden in Australia – timeline | Business | The Guardian

Don't only read The Guardian.... but can only quote it.... C'mon Mick, broaden.....

Originally Posted by johntins

LOL. I see people with restored EH Holdens and I laugh. The thing was a piece of **** when new, so why is it so good 55 years on?

If I had a garage where I could lock it up and keep it under cover I'd love one. Yes, it's a POS, but it's a POS that my grandfather hand-beat curves into, lead wiped and painted up damaged panels from the journey from East to West before they hit the showroom floor. And one towed the caravan that I still hook up behind my much nicer but just as unreliable D3.

Nostalgia. Oh and he'd probably wet his pants if he saw the van hooked up to a nicely restored EH as the cupboard doors inisde the van are painted with a left over special limited blue that Holden tried out at about that time.

I've never been a Holden fan, but just like I go nuts for a fastidiously restored E-type (or my old mans TR4A), a really well done old Holden gets my attention, respect and tip of the hat.