bloody falcons!

[Big_Richard]

.

[oversize]

this may be a holden, but it is still appalling, 'penta's and all

Those are Bathurst Globes (not Pentas) that really belong on a Ford!!!

[motec6.9]

Hi Mark I used to want a WB Statesman . I know what was I thinking I settled on a HQ Kingswood instead and fitted a 7.4 litre motor and fitted the N.S.W plates HQ.454 . I was a bogan before they even had the name . Now I just shake my head in shame at the people who call themselves bogans . Trailer park trash the lot of them . Enough of my soapbox I will go back to reading William Blake .

[Tony66_au]

Geoff you are only a Bogan if you have the Tee shirt "I climbed Mt Druit'

[oversize]

I got rid of my flannel shirts n mullet years ago!!!  LOL!

[pompy]

I now see where this came from...
Sold locally as the Chevrolet Caprice Classic untill 1980. It had the 5.7 V8.
There was a lesser spec model known as the Constantia sedan or wagon which had the 4.1 6.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[oversize]

And Australia only had the 308 (5L)!!!!     Typical!  The best we could get was a Magnum from Peter Brock....

[ZCarFan]

my first ever car in highschool was an 83 mazda 929 and it was a p.o.s.

electric everything and nothing worked.

all the seats had their padding collapse and were as uncomfortable as hell. The recliner even cracked in half for the drivers seat which resulted in it going into the shagging position while driving.

quality Japanese engineering

One should not sully the names of Toyota, Nissan and Honda by lumping them in with Mazda!     I like some Mazdas (who couldn't love a Miata or RX7?) but they have always been troublesome in my opinion.  Not even going to mention Mitsubishi.   My '90 Civic has covered more than 300,000 miles and all of its significant faults have been due to neglect by the p.o.  It is using more oil now which makes sense considering the giant gouge in the #3 bore and that the engine was run 10+miles overheating a few years ago.  Since there is a matching helicoil for the #3 plug, I expect this damage was a "no charge" service from the p.o.'s mechanic who did not retrieve a bit of insert material.  Nevertheless, I have put 50,000 miles on it after replacing the overheated head gasket. It routinely is run to the rev-limiter even with that mileage.  Certainly not a weak engine design at all.  I'll actually go on record that the engineering of this era Honda is on par with Mercedes, it is the aesthetics and attention to detail that vary the most between the marques.  Naturally, those are the items that cost the most to provide, thus the price differential feature for feature.

I do have to say that while the So. African Caprice at least looks liveable and uniquely 70's, that Holden in Zook's post is just outright vile. It's no wonder some of you have such a low opinion of these things, trust me, GM never sold anything quite that bad here is the states.

[Tony66_au]

South Africa was one of the few export markets for Aussie manufacturers and we sent over Chryslers, Fords and General Motors - Holdens basically because we share a similar climate and roads quality.

Zcarfan dont ever confuse GM with GM-H mate because they were totally different in many many respects.

Although we had some models with 350 and 327 Chevs they were rare and most got the crappy cast iron lumps in 308 and 253 cubic inches. (5.0 and 4.1 lt)

Both were Aussie designed and total junk when compared to the 350/305 Sb Chev engines and I say this from the POV of a guy who has built a few of each.

Although GM-H were always given full access to the US parts bin they usually only dived in to grab shit left over from US models long gone, tail lights and grilles etc with the occasional styling cue for good measure.

Engine wise?

350 chevs were factory options but only if you asked for it and waited the 7 or 8 weeks that it took to come from the factory and HQ (1972) thru to WB (1981) so they do exist and my Brother had an Ex SEC HZ Ute numbers matching 350 Chev/T350  (Fleet order).

Oh and of course the V6 all alloy engine in the Commodore was taken from the GM (Buick) rubbish bin when their inline 6 202 cubic inch engine couldn't pass emissions laws changes in the mid 80's.

And this isnt speculation folks, its from the mouth of a family member who was a development engineer and designer for GM-H.

[oversize]

While you're at it Tony you may's well bag the LS engines....  They leave a lot to be desired, even though they can make good power on the cheap

[Tony66_au]

While you're at it Tony you may's well bag the LS engines....  They leave a lot to be desired, even though they can make good power on the cheap

Actually I quite like the SB Chev!

What I didn't and still don't like was the "Aussie" SB Chev was messed with by GMH to meet local content BS.

Aussie pistons et al and pissing about with the inboard oil pump and making it external..........

Which was why the early "Holden" 350's in Commodores were thirsty with oil and clacky.........

If they had just gone with a US crate motor it wouldn't have been an issue.

Lets face it though the LS1's etc were rough and a bit agricultural but very strong, cheap and amazingly flexible.

The Corvette engines got a few tweaks and changes (Firing order I believe and a few other bits) from the C4 model onwards and id own one in a heartbeat!

Failing that a 305 powered 1987 IROC Camaro, god fun and amazingly a whole lot of fun.

Or..................... Maybe one of those V6 Turbo Buicks.....................

[oversize]

A GN Buick turbo would be a lot of fun and rear wheel drive too!  They have a big following in the USA

[oversize]

BTW I've driven a 80s era Camaro and it was a POS.  But it did have a poor RHD conversion and it wasn't an IROC.  Traction in the wet was sh*t and the driveline was rubbish.  Working on it was a nightmare with those wide guards and the engine buried under a maze of hoses, pipes and wires....

[Tony66_au]

The IROCs with TPI and the original mags are a good thing and yes the RHD conversions can make or break a car, 1987 is THE year for em.

Vette's are easier due to their being rack n pinion but i have seen them cocked up too and they are dangerous to say the least.

[zook]

BTW I've driven a 80s era Camaro and it was a POS.  But it did have a poor RHD conversion and it wasn't an IROC.  Traction in the wet was sh*t and the driveline was rubbish.  Working on it was a nightmare with those wide guards and the engine buried under a maze of hoses, pipes and wires....

ahh no! dont say that! up until i actually got my Ps i lusted after an '81 Camaro Z28.. they are so pretty. although im not really surprised!!