Looking Back: Best Australian Cars

malazn mafia · 15-12-2013, 12:30 AM

Looking back, for each Australian manufacturer, which model vehicles represent the 'height of their respective careers'? This can be in terms of sales, style, performance, etc. Here are my picks

Ford:
- EF Falcon (ahead of its time, top seller, hid its EA origins extremely well)
- BA (only ford could take an AU and turn it into a BA)
- Territory SX (not only did they create the BA, they transformed it into an SUV)

Holden:
- VT Commodore (top seller, looked great at the time and managed to live through 2 makeovers )

Mitsubishi:
- TE Magna (futuristic design for '96)

Nikked · 15-12-2013, 12:38 AM

XD falcon: Rode the storm of the fuel crisis, helped ford overtake Holden in the 80's. The old box is forgotten, but it proved the falcons worth for a decade...helped secure the next generation of RWD sedans. Proved that at the time, downsizing wasn't the only option.

And amazingly, not a proper performance version in sight...

TC200six · 15-12-2013, 12:38 AM

I've always had a soft spot for the XF Falcon. Could be because when growing up, they were everywhere.

Despite not being available with a V8 they were a strong seller for their time, no?

homegrown · 15-12-2013, 12:41 AM

The VT was crazy times at Holdens. Get overtime whenever you wanted it. The old guys said had not seen anything like that since the HQ was introduced.

homegrown · 15-12-2013, 12:42 AM

Ford XD new shape went nuts too.

SJG351 · 15-12-2013, 12:47 AM

XB Coupe for me

in the other brand if i had to XU1 Torana

flooded one · 15-12-2013, 12:47 AM

delete please

flooded one · 15-12-2013, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TC200six

I've always had a soft spot for the XF Falcon. Could be because when growing up, they were everywhere.

Despite not being available with a V8 they were a strong seller for their time, no?

that's what loved most about the XF, the enthusiasts complain about no V8 but was the most brought falcon ever, plus I love the look of them and where a durable car

flooded one · 15-12-2013, 12:49 AM

AU because everyone hated them but yet was probably the most reliable falcon ever built

zilo · 15-12-2013, 02:30 AM

Mitsubishi 380

-longest engine/drivetrain warranty of any car ever built in Australia
-10 years.

Express · 15-12-2013, 02:36 AM

Early Torana’s and GT’s simply because I could watch them race and then go to the dealer and buy something very similar to drive around in.

Back in the day when you owned one of these you were truly in a position brag and talk s@#t about your car’s credentials.

.

chevypower · 15-12-2013, 03:41 AM

Phase III and XB Cobra hands down.

Sox · 15-12-2013, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevypower

Phase III and XB Cobra hands down.

Those XB Cobras are the rarest car on the planet too...

Rob 351 · 15-12-2013, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevypower

Phase III and XC Cobra hands down.

I think you meant this ^^^^^^^

superyob · 15-12-2013, 08:21 AM

ZC/D and H Fairlane and XB series

borough · 15-12-2013, 08:42 AM

FG. Simply the best Australian made and engineered car ever.

Dodge · 15-12-2013, 08:47 AM

mini cooper S, 2 door ford coupe, HQ holdens ( only caused they raced them to get rid of any left )

CyberWasp · 15-12-2013, 08:47 AM

For me it is the Valiant RT Chargers, with some nice wheels and the right stance they have the hottest looking backside of any Australian Car.
Also any of the Ford Coupes, same as above, right wheels and stance, what other Australian Car has a presence like that driving down the road.
Come to think of it I like all the Fords...lol, they all offer something. They have contrasting shapes and from different eras, something for everyone.

Sox · 15-12-2013, 08:55 AM

My favorites are probably AU, XA, XY and XD, in that order.

If I had a gun to my head and had to have Holden in the mix, it would likely be the HT era Monaros, and the later Dunnydoor Monaros.

blackf6 · 15-12-2013, 09:16 AM

Fg mk11

Olbucko · 15-12-2013, 09:49 AM

Wheels magazine journalists, in latest issue, just voted The Territory as the car of the 2000s, with 12 votes, VE Commodore 11, Mazda NC MX-5 5, VW Golf V1 4, Honda Accord Euro 2,& Mercedes Benz C class 2.
Previous winners were
1960s XR Falcon
1970s Honda Accord
1980s Mazda MX-5
1990s Lexus LS-400

malazn mafia · 15-12-2013, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olbucko

Wheels magazine journalists, in latest issue, just voted The Territory as the car of the 2000s, with 12 votes, VE Commodore 11, Mazda NC MX-5 5, VW Golf V1 4, Honda Accord Euro 2,& Mercedes Benz C class 2.
Previous winners were
1960s XR Falcon
1970s Honda Accord
1980s Mazda MX-5
1990s Lexus LS-400

'You were amazing, and you did amazing things, and I wouldn't change it, 'cause we were amazing things'... *(voiceover) Ford Territory, with the 6 speed auto and all wheel drive, and the choice of rear wheel drive, the possibilities... Are Amazing.

Who remembers this ad, back when Ford had a marketing department...

**DJM83** · 15-12-2013, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildrider

AU because everyone hated them but yet was probably the most reliable falcon ever built

Yep, i owned 2, loved them both. Wouldnt hesitate owning another.

MrXR8 · 15-12-2013, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildrider

AU because everyone hated them but yet was probably the most reliable falcon ever built

My brother in law had a Rockford xr6 in an au he wouldn't warm it up and hold 1st till he hit 80-90 from start out of the driveway. Never broke.

MrXR8 · 15-12-2013, 10:16 AM

Tickford damn spell check

BIONIC MAN · 15-12-2013, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by borough

FG. Simply the best Australian made and engineered car ever.

i agree here, the changes from my BF pursuit to my FG2 GS really surprised me, took a while for the FG to grow on me, didn't really take much notice of the model until the blown engine was making decent power, didn't even test drive an FG before I bought one, so I was pleasantly surprised with all the little changes that had been made and the levels of electronic refinement inside.

BA was the first newer ford I REALLY wanted to own, same reasons, heaps more power/better looks than previous model. I will always have fond memories of my BA XR8, first new car I ever bought and the "respect" you got while driving it, because it was just a huge leap forward from previous models and Holdens of the time (in my un-biased opinion!

)

And that gutter scraping "V8 supercar inspired" front bar on FPV BA/BF will always remain a favourite shape of mine... tough from any angle you looked at it..

Wretched · 15-12-2013, 10:54 AM

Ford Territory
Holden Commodore VF

chevypower · 15-12-2013, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob 18

I think you meant this ^^^^^^^

Ahh yes good catch

Peter B - CV8 · 15-12-2013, 11:16 AM

Holden - A9X Torana (hatchback & black thanks)
Ford - XE ESP Ghia
Valiant - Charger E48

MrXR8 · 15-12-2013, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BIONIC MAN

BA was the first newer ford I REALLY wanted to own, same reasons, heaps more power/better looks than previous model. I will always have fond memories of my BA XR8, first new car I ever bought and the "respect" you got while driving it, because it was just a huge leap forward from previous models and Holdens of the time (in my un-biased opinion!

)

And that gutter scraping "V8 supercar inspired" front bar on FPV BA/BF will always remain a favourite shape of mine... tough from any angle you looked at it..

I bought my ba mk2 xr8 a few months ago and even though it's an 8yr old car I feel like I'm driving the ants pants of cars.