Was the AU ahead of it's time? - Page 2

4.0i_SiX · 04-12-2012, 05:34 PM

I actually didnt mind the exterior, even if it did kind of remind me of a Taurus on some angles. But I absolutely despised the interior. The round centre dash etc

**DJM83** · 04-12-2012, 05:49 PM

AUII XR
-AUI 5 spoke wheels
-Full Bodykit
-Leather
-Manual

If i see an AU XR it always makes me turn my head, looked different from the run of the mill models, could probably add F/Ghia to it aswell. Not like the XR's that followed IMO.

I miss my 2 AU's still today.

mike_nofx · 04-12-2012, 05:50 PM

To answer the question though, No its not ahead of its time.

If it were ahead of its time, when is its 'time', Now??

Would it look in place being released today in 2012?
Could you see it being sold against the VE Commodore?
does it look as modern as an FG?

No.

The AU is like a plain, unattractive girl who has LOTS of inner beauty.
You just know she would be the best girl to be with, shes reliable, knows how to cook and clean and is amazing in bed. She will do all of these things day in day out without question, but youre just not sure you can wake up each morning looking at a face that looks like a smashed crab.

**DJM83** · 04-12-2012, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

The AU is like a plain, unattractive girl who has LOTS of inner beauty.
You just know she would be the best girl to be with, shes reliable, knows how to cook and clean and is amazing in bed. She will do all of these things day in day out without question, but youre just not sure you can wake up each morning looking at a face that looks like a smashed crab.

Looks are subjective, im sure you are well aware of it. As we all know your opinion of the AU, like many of the broken records around here that like to chime in when the AU is involved.

And sorry to use your car as an example and it is my opinion aswell but a BA falcon is about as plain as plain can be from XT-XR nothing to differentiate from between models.
AUI Forte did nothing for me, so im not a complete advocate for the model but at least the with the AU the difference between Forte and XR was VERY obvious, even with FG it isnt much different but i guess its a 'safer' design.

**SSD-85** · 04-12-2012, 05:56 PM

At this rate, Ill sell my Galaxie before my AU...

blackf6 · 04-12-2012, 05:59 PM

I have said this before but.. back in 98 when I first seen a Au Forte I was amazed at how futuristic the car looked. It was like whatching Beyond 2000.

**cs123** · 04-12-2012, 05:59 PM

I like the AU. I had a new AU Fairmont, great car. The only thing I didn't like was the centre dash treatment on low series models.

Would happily drive one today. Preferably a XR8 manual, red, with warm charcoal interior.

Nikked · 04-12-2012, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

?
does it look as modern as an FG?

.

Yes.

Look at how the "bulk" of the FG (say, with the lights) is towards the center of the car, rather then pushed out ( like the BA)...

Modern thought...

Bonn · 04-12-2012, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlenW

The AU was so far ahead of its time even Mercedes Benz copied it. Years later.

image

Beat me to it!

Top Gear had a golden opportunity to highlight that, but just banged on about the 'Alien' tail lights....
Have thought that (about Merc) since seeing one up at Bathurst circa '04-'05.

fwiw, AU racer is best looking aussie 4 door ever, followed by FG/FG COTF

mike_nofx · 04-12-2012, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikked

Yes.

Look at how the "bulk" of the FG (say, with the lights) is towards the center of the car, rather then pushed out ( like the BA)...

Modern thought...

Just trying to find a similar pose shot and colour between the 3:

Youre right that AU is probably closer to FG than BA. But (dont laugh!) I prefer the B series styling over the FG in XT form, but for XR and GT models I prefer FG.

**Peuty** · 04-12-2012, 06:28 PM

Yeah AU's are ugly.

**Peuty** · 04-12-2012, 06:29 PM

Made ugly racecars too

**DJM83** · 04-12-2012, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peuty

Made ugly racecars too

image

**SSD-85** · 04-12-2012, 07:00 PM

Enough Said.

Franco Cozzo · 04-12-2012, 07:19 PM

I really like the look of the AU Fairlanes and the T series cars, not a fan of the bug eye XR series.

I also think the AU Fairlane has the nicer leather interior than the BA Fairlane, you can slide around on the seat in the AU its that smooth, where the BA leather feels rough as.

spvd02 · 04-12-2012, 07:23 PM

That particular statesman doesn't look great either, as the front end looks like it belongs on a smaller car. It's not in step with the rest of it. The car's proportions just seem to grow in size as you look from the front to the back. The proportions just aren't quite right, to the point where the boot has more of a presence than the bonnet. It is, however, much better looking than the Fairlane and a good effort.

BadMax · 04-12-2012, 07:32 PM

Camry of the same vintage had the same Cd. So was that ahead of it's time also?

Maka · 04-12-2012, 08:07 PM

Was the AU Falcon ahead of its time? Does a bear $*%^ in the woods? lol! They are starting to appreciate in price now & i wonder why? Cant be its looks can it? Well it must be something- as a overall package at the time, the AU had NO local peers.

My Au is stock at the moment (kind of) but one consideration at purchase time was what a blank canvas to start from if i wanted to personalise it to my tastes! Fact is -

they are not too heavy
plenty of bits available
pretty frugal on juice
very slippery through the air
very versatile
legendary Ford reliability
innovative tech feature's
excellent steering & ride
etc, etc....

The AU has stood the test of time pretty good i reckon and just like cockroaches they WILL be around forever

cheers, Maka

ray38l · 04-12-2012, 08:21 PM

Ford made the mistake of making the dash in the AU's out of plastic I'm sure I have seen toys at the reject shop made out of.
To compare it to the Mercedes is pushing it a bit far. the Mercedes looks classy and finished the AU looks like its been slapped together. if they had of refined the car it could have been popular.

**DJM83** · 04-12-2012, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ray38l

Ford made the mistake of making the dash in the AU's out of plastic I'm sure I have seen toys at the reject shop made out of.
To compare it to the Mercedes is pushing it a bit far. the Mercedes looks classy and finished the AU looks like its been slapped together. if they had of refined the car it could have been popular.

My question to you, and many others.

Have you owned one?

I much prefer the interior in an AU compared to its younger siblings.

**SSD-85** · 04-12-2012, 08:35 PM

AUs plastics were the last of the "soft" looking ones in a Falcon. Definitely is aesthetically pleasing to me.

I will admit, the S2/3 dash centre was a slap-happy job as Ford panicked with people hating the AU at the time. The S1 flows a lot more neatly & is cohesive with the rest of the interior.

**Silver Ghia** · 04-12-2012, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM83

My question to you, and many others.

Have you owned one?

I much prefer the interior in an AU compared to its younger siblings.

And the quality of the plastics including window switches etc. were also far superior. I also remember the woodgrain in the AU was very classy, compared to the BA woodgrain that could hardly be noticed.

I must admit however the shape of the convex centre console could have been a little aesthetically better designed.

sprint347dave · 04-12-2012, 08:39 PM

NO it wasnt ahead of its time,,,,i would be interested to see a sales graph of the falcon from the AU to now,,,i believe the AU was the start of the end for the falcon,,,i dont mind the AU,,especially the sports models

homegrown · 04-12-2012, 08:52 PM

Au would have suited being a coupe IMO. Something with a shorter wheel base.

**DJM83** · 04-12-2012, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sprint347dave

NO it wasnt ahead of its time,,,,i would be interested to see a sales graph of the falcon from the AU to now,,,i believe the AU was the start of the end for the falcon,,,i dont mind the AU,,especially the sports models

Hahahaha, do you really want to see it?
Might get egg on your face.

BadMax · 04-12-2012, 08:58 PM

Magna of the same vintage is a better car...No rust issues either.

Maka · 04-12-2012, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ray38l

Ford made the mistake of making the dash in the AU's out of plastic I'm sure I have seen toys at the reject shop made out of.
To compare it to the Mercedes is pushing it a bit far. the Mercedes looks classy and finished the AU looks like its been slapped together. if they had of refined the car it could have been popular.

G'day ray38l,

1- Falcons are built to a price, hence cheap plastic
2- Styling cues from the AU can be clearly seen in the Merc (no squinting needed lol)
3- If it was refined anymore add $$$$ to the original rrp
4- My early build 98 Futura was hand finished at the factory, no rust anywhere also panel fit & finish (for the price) is outstanding, nil interior rattles either and it just clocked 300,000km.

Apples v Oranges me thinks

cheers, Maka

Pinkbits · 04-12-2012, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BadMax

Magna of the same vintage is a better car...No rust issues either.

Ok, you've made your point. Twice!

**SSD-85** · 04-12-2012, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BadMax

Magna of the same vintage is a better car...No rust issues either.

A comment such as this should include some points as to why, so that way it is seen as something more than just inflammatory.

robbyj · 04-12-2012, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BadMax

Magna of the same vintage is a better car...No rust issues either.

They were front wheel drive wernt they? lol! Either way, where are all the magnas today? i see 1 for every 20 AU's i see.

If all AU's came out looking like the XR's, fairmonts, and T series.. dayumm! There are a few base models that everyone draws on that gives the AU a bad name in the looks department.

Id own an AU over a BA any day, the BA XR and XT iv driven on multiple occasions just dont compare to my au, and mines just a S1 classic. IMO, the interior, the handling, the comfort and overall feel of the AU is so much better. Sure the BA XR looks good, but its just so.. plain! the body kitted AU's have so much style!