Very old car add (1980) - how much has changed

[Tracy]

Hi,

I am amazed how things have changed. I came across this old add whilst cleaning up my mother's house and seeing this brought back memories of the times. Published in the Sunday telegraph in 1980, at that time I was doing an apprenticeship as mechanic at a ford dealership.

I remember these coups were not very desirable at the time due to them being rather impractical and thirsty. In the add you can see the relative values of the other cars. This was a well optioned model with 302 and sunroof.

Since you would be lucky to get a coup for under a 100k now. I think it shows how generally affluent our present society is to enable such values for these cars. I also remember at the time you could buy a GTHO phase 3 for 12K.

I am not saying they are not worth it, as the market has decided that and obviously, they are now in the domain of collectors and investors.

Anyway, thought that this would be of interest and promote discussion on the topic.

Trace

[39ClevoUte]

You can see no one wanted a gas guzzler back then.

[mad2]

Originally Posted by Tracy

Hi,

I am amazed how things have changed. I came across this old add whilst cleaning up my mother's house and seeing this brought back memories of the times. Published in the Sunday telegraph in 1980, at that time I was doing an apprenticeship as mechanic at a ford dealership.

I remember these coups were not very desirable at the time due to them being rather impractical and thirsty. In the add you can see the relative values of the other cars. This was a well optioned model with 302 and sunroof.

Since you would be lucky to get a coup for under a 100k now. I think it shows how generally affluent our present society is to enable such values for these cars. I also remember at the time you could buy a GTHO phase 3 for 12K.

I am not saying they are not worth it, as the market has decided that and obviously, they are now in the domain of collectors and investors.

Anyway, thought that this would be of interest and promote discussion on the topic.

Trace

Very old car add (1980) -

[FERG_51]

Was doing an apprenticeship at the local Ford Dealership as well. I remember an XC Cobra coming to the dealership in 1978, was the coolest thing around and was pretty popular after the 77 Bathurst success, come 1980 they were worth nothing, impractical fuel guzzling lump of lard. Wish I had the forethought to have bought one then.

[arm79]

Originally Posted by FERG_51

Was doing an apprenticeship at the local Ford Dealership as well. I remember an XC Cobra coming to the dealership in 1978, was the coolest thing around and was pretty popular after the 77 Bathurst success, come 1980 they were worth nothing, impractical fuel guzzling lump of lard. Wish I had the forethought to have bought one then.

Was at a servo in Welshpool in Perth on the weekend and someone driving a mini motorhome pulled in with an absolutely mint XC Fairmont GXL 351 in Desert Gold (I think I got that all right) on a trailer behind it.

The car got alot of attention and quite a few admirers. Was a beautiful looking example. No idea if original or a good restoration.

Regardless, not the kind of car I'd picture someone to use as a tow car. I remember the fuel guzzling slug our old 302 XE wagon was and cant imagine towing something like that around Australia on a holiday. But that's what it seemed to be doing.

Wish I had the thought to snap a pic.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by mad2

Very old car add (1980) -

A lot of people who have trouble reading analogue clocks would consider 1980 'old'

[prktkljokr]

In 1980 I was 12, couldn't have given a stuff about cars, now the Haro Freestyler BMX with the poly wheels was the go then

[marty351]

Originally Posted by prktkljokr

In 1980 I was 12, couldn't have given a stuff about cars, now the Haro Freestyler BMX with the poly wheels was the go then

BMX Bandits.
Don't forget the milk crate for paperboy rounds.

[Tassie f100]

Yeah bit sad that a Commodore was worth twice as much as an LTD a couple of years older

[prktkljokr]

Originally Posted by Tassie f100

Yeah bit sad that a Commodore was worth twice as much as an LTD a couple of years older

What's even worse is that the Sigma is worth more

[IanC]

In 1980 I went to the State Govt auctions. First few cars to come up were 4 cyl Geminis and there were girls fighting over them. The prices went up to more than you would have paid at a dealer! Next up was a row of HZ Kingswoods. The first 5 were passed in with no bids. Then came the one I wanted and somebody else bid on it! I had to pay an extra $100 before he dropped out. I got it. An 18 month old base model 3 speed manual for $2900. I used that as a daily driver for the next 25 years. In that time it used a starter motor, a couple of clutches and a radiator. Cheap motoring.

[GTLEGEND]

Originally Posted by marty351

BMX Bandits.
Don't forget the milk crate for paperboy rounds.

And the playing card or footy collector card in the spokes to give that motor bike sound lol

[jstanovic]

Originally Posted by GTLEGEND

And the playing card or footy collector card in the spokes to give that motor bike sound lol

Spokey dokeys!!!

[FTE217]

Yer the days……
Simplicity especially working on cars those days.
I also was a mechanic and brake specialist later with Better Brakes haha
Working on our Fords old end piece of p iss.
Sit in the engine bays if needed be getting to manifold bolts etc
Talking BMX they were modern - we earlier had those dragsters with the banana seats, put extended forks on them ride like easy riders and the pegged cards for sound lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[GTLEGEND]

Originally Posted by FTE217

Yer the days……
Simplicity especially working on cars those days.
I also was a mechanic and brake specialist later with Better Brakes haha
Working on our Fords old end piece of p iss.
Sit in the engine bays if needed be getting to manifold bolts etc
Talking BMX they were modern - we earlier had those dragsters with the banana seats, put extended forks on them ride like easy riders and the pegged cards for sound lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Did you have the gear change shift on the frame or the column shift one on the handle bars lol Dont forget the streamers coming off the grips lol. All jokes aside those bikes are worth a mint now!

[Citroënbender]

Would have been happy to have a P5 LTD then, or now.

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by GasoLane

A lot of people who have trouble reading analogue clocks would consider 1980 'old'

I was going to say the same thing. To some 1980 is not that long ago.

An "old" car add for me would be one for an FJ Holden or a Mk 1 Zephyr.

Having said that a lot has changed in the car game since 1980.

Dr Terry

[Tassie f100]

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

I was going to say the same thing. To some 1980 is not that long ago.

An "old" car add for me would be one for an FJ Holden or a Mk 1 Zephyr.

Having said that a lot has changed in the car game since 1980.

Dr Terry

Same here 1980s isn’t old 30s-40s is old.1980 is half modern.When I was working on those older cars (1950-1970) I didn’t like the Pommy stuff.Mr Pom reckoned it needed 12-15 little bolts and nuts to hold the engine and gearbox together.Mr Yank said B.S 4 big studs is plenty

[Citroënbender]

Anything out of warranty is old. :p

[ford71V8]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Would have been happy to have a P5 LTD then, or now.

In the early 90s I told my aunt I wanted theirs when they were ready to upgrade. I was not pleased when they showed up in a new Nissan one day, LTD gone.
It was full of rust she said....i remember the spot of rust, it was a very well looked after car

[ford71V8]

Originally Posted by jstanovic

Spokey dokeys!!!

Spokey dokeys for the girls, trading cards for the boys
(not my KISS ones though!)

[Rallye Sport]

Originally Posted by FTE217

Yer the days……
Simplicity especially working on cars those days.
I also was a mechanic and brake specialist later with Better Brakes haha
Working on our Fords old end piece of p iss.
Sit in the engine bays if needed be getting to manifold bolts etc
Talking BMX they were modern - we earlier had those dragsters with the banana seats, put extended forks on them ride like easy riders and the pegged cards for sound lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Always wanted a BMX but had to make do with a hand me down dragster. Still got it too, the old man had thrown it on the vergeside collection, lucky I turned up when I did.

[GTLEGEND]

Originally Posted by Rallye Sport

Always wanted a BMX but had to make do with a hand me down dragster. Still got it too, the old man had thrown it on the vergeside collection, lucky I turned up when I did.

image

How cool is that, even with the frame gear shift (aka floor shift) that would have claimed many a boys private parts back in the day!

That would be worth a pretty penny now eg below:

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/33392796...Bk9SR7SL29j6YA

[jaydee]

Originally Posted by IanC

In 1980 I went to the State Govt auctions. First few cars to come up were 4 cyl Geminis and there were girls fighting over them. The prices went up to more than you would have paid at a dealer! Next up was a row of HZ Kingswoods. The first 5 were passed in with no bids. Then came the one I wanted and somebody else bid on it! I had to pay an extra $100 before he dropped out. I got it. An 18 month old base model 3 speed manual for $2900. I used that as a daily driver for the next 25 years. In that time it used a starter motor, a couple of clutches and a radiator. Cheap motoring.

Same, went to government auction here in Perth 1981, bought my XC ex Police car, 351, for $2,700.
Was a daily driver until about 20 years ago, now it just comes out for nice Sunday drives to the odd car show.

[Schtoo]

In 1980, grandpa and I would go for long walks around the suburb and found lots of interesting places, but always came home from the 'other' side of Whitehorse road in Mitcham and see what was for sale at the used car dealer at 602 Whitehorse Rd. Mitcham. They built an office building there in the early 80's and I can't remember what dealer it was, but I think it was a Ford dealer of some kind. Always had Falcons for sale.

I suspect grandpa kind of wanted to buy something sometimes, but he was hard on a dollar and the car in the garage still did the job. Still got that one, still trying to decide whether to keep it or cash it in as interest in it stops with me. XM wagon, less than 30,000 miles, original unopened engine, mint body.

Was also talking to some folks at work on Friday (can't say guys, as we have a girl apprentice now) about some of the cars we knew of or owned, and 3 that would be of interest here.

#1, XC Fairmont GXL 351. During my apprenticeship as a sparky, one of the A grades had a dark blue one. Mintier than mint, Chevoit hotwires. I hope he still has it because it was a beautiful car.

#2, XC Cobra 351, during my paper round I dropped a paper into the Supertrim in Nunawading, and the owner always gave a dollar for a paper and always had some interesting stuff in there, but there was almost always that Cobra sitting outside. I thought it was awesome because I had wallpaper on my bedroom wall saying they'd won Bathurst.

#3, XB coupe belonging to a family friend. Black gloss, slightly worse for wear and my transport home during work experience. 4 speed, 351 Boss engine and was properly mean. Guy got asked to sell it at least once a week, never did as far as I know. One night the ride home was in the wet and the thing never seemed to point in the exact same direction we were actually travelling*...

(I know more about this phenomenon since I got my FG XR6T ute. Came on crap tyres, only car I've ever driven that got loose at both ends at the same time. Terrifying, but now tamed with better tyres.)

[Sprintey]

Just imagine finding a way to own a mint oBike, or Lime scooter right now, and putting away for 40 years!

hehe

(I tried to save an early ipod for such reasons, but the bloomin battery expanded and tried leaking everywhere.)

Glad we've got a bit of old machinery. What you guys were paying not too much for was our 'P' plates in the 90's at a few hundred dollars a pop.

[Swordie]

Fuel Injection has been a very big improvement for me. It has helped fuel economy plus stop the cars from stalling when cold. The old carburetor cars needed some warming up with the assistance of the choke out. I remember multiple times the car would stall as it wasn't warmed up enough. To combat stalling you would put the clutch and let it out to get as the car was rolling along. It was much easier with the manual cars to get cold cars going that stalled.

With modern electronics cars stay in tune for longer periods of time. I used to tune my 180B with a timing light and change the spark plugs. Tuning a carburetor wasn't my expertise, this didn't need to be done that often.

[mick taylor]

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

I was going to say the same thing. To some 1980 is not that long ago.

An "old" car add for me would be one for an FJ Holden or a Mk 1 Zephyr.

Having said that a lot has changed in the car game since 1980.

Dr Terry

Look at it this way, back in the 1950's cars had progressed a long way, not to mention through the 60's look at that progression that evolvement and then the 70's much again but from 1980's comfort wise ? but for engine advancement and auto transmission one could put in a 1980's car and be fine. Look at the 4cly performance nowadays that's a long way from a 4cyl VC Commodore was.

Hell I even own a 2015 GSR Lancer now as I am old retired ? and it has more Lux things than any LTD had, not to mention will blow one off into the weeds with the 2.4L manual. It does me and I am happy with it. coming from a VY SS and all. may seam strange but true. I would never of thought I would say so, because I only drove and respected V8's.
I can cruse at 180KM/H so easy as it loves it, set the cruse con on 180 and go to Darwin and if you want 210KM/H. 120KM/H in top gear and just touch the throttle a bit more and it will so easy hit 180 without even trying to.
It's like a race horse that once 120 comes up it just wants to go stride up to 180 gallop all day free as a bird.
My V8 308 Holden's loved to cruse easy at 180KM/H as well but 253 were flat out at that. My 351 2V XB ute did 185KM/H flat out.

[FTE217]

Originally Posted by GTLEGEND

Did you have the gear change shift on the frame or the column shift one on the handle bars lol Dont forget the streamers coming off the grips lol. All jokes aside those bikes are worth a mint now!

hehe, took it off my elder sister, was purple, had the streamers and shift on the frame.
Stripped all the girly stuff off, extended the forks that were black.
Looked tuff then - so if I kept it todays money would be noted as molested non original I'll take half from genuine price thanks lol.......

Reviewing that ad in first post, I'd take the Kingswood wagon, the Ford coupe, the 929 coupe and ofcourse the LTD.
No need for weekly payments outright thanks