Commodore Country

[mikmak]

One thing that I really love (and miss now that I have kids), is touring. On a recent business trip, I got to return to my favourite pass time of yore and it didn't take long before I started remembering the very reason that the Commodore is still Oz's best selling car.



Luckily Mrs. Mak had convinced me that the Vectra should stay home for this trip and instead I employed our faithful family hauler, for what was to be 600 kms of horizon-to-horizon straights, and sweltering 38 deg heat.

My first leg was from Brisbane Airport to Toowoomba, a large regional centre 2 hours to the west. Not a particualrly interesting trip but just on the outskirts it really starts to sink in that so much of Australia is empty (as far as population goes). But it wasn't until the next day that I would be reminded that cars built for the city are merely fodder for the dozens of Commodores hunting Australias rural highways. I couldn't believe the number of VEs I saw, sporting massive aerials, belting past me like I was standing still, even though I was doing 6-demerit-points-and-12-months-suspension of-my-license for a large portion of the trip.


Windows down and aircon off, I really enjoyed sticking the throttle to the carpet, the country suspension of my wagon a godsend, as it soaked up sudden troughs in the road and kept me connected as I launched out the other side. This is the kind of terrain that would have sent the Vectra (and me) hurtling into the scrub, but still the wagon just ate it up like it was the brew upon which it was raised.

Which brings me to my point (yes I do have one!). In the world of globalisation and homogenous transport, cars like these are becoming an endangered species. More often than not, the design input will come from folk that never enter such desolate wastelands, but nonetheless, they are vitally important to those who need to cover vast distances, whilst at the same time dealing with torturous undermaintained surfaces. I'm sure that in the US there are plenty of similar environments, so what would be the ideal vehicle for folks that need to travel your great plains? Or what have you driven over vast distances and was it a good or poor choice?

Personally I was more and more appreciative the further I went and it really highlighted to me, the need for extreme constitution to remain one of the core attributes of the Commodore. It's kind of ironic how media outlets are saying it's an endangered species. Come to the Outback and you'll see its the only thing that survives

[Bravada]

Great photos!

Please remember that much more of the globe endures undermaintained (if at all existing) roads, and more and more of this forgotten "rest of world" is now able to afford private motoring. If anything, "heavy duty" suspension is on the upswing now.

[mikmak]

Yikes! Nice avatar! (who is it?)

I thought I should just add that I didn't see a single SS (V8) Commodore of any heritage. Every Commodore I saw (which made up about 40% of all the road users I encountered), where the more basic models, highlighting the fact that they were bought to do exactly what they were designed for (and the motivation of this thread).


No frills, tough, comfortable, capable mile eaters.

[Bravada]

That's Tamara Gołębiowska (aka Isis Gee), a Seattle-born Polish-American singer who is our Eurovision hope this year, and a lovely person. Moreover, she can actually sing!

http://pl.youtube.com/watch?v=kgtsjKlmRSE

[Phoenix]

Might be the best looking wagon I've ever seen mak. What is the trim level/powertrain specs?

I've gone from Northern Wisconsin to Oklahoma in my grandfather's Oldsmobile 88.



Big American sedan with sofa-like seats, I don't remember much since I was about 8 at the time.

I would pick another fat American sedan, only this time right wheel drive and V8 powered.

[EldoFan]

Beautiful pics Mikmak......much of my state (Nebraska) and my part of the country (Midwest/The Great Plains) for that matter looks extremely similar to those first two shots

What would be ideal for folks traveling our great plains? Well I can't speak for everyone.....but for journeys across the deserted stretches of heartland (my first road trip will be west, up into the Rockies), I'd want something cozy & supremely comfortable with a plush ride and a fairly decent amt. of power on tap....which is why I have an affinity for certain old school Cadillacs.

Anything could concievably fill the bill though, from a FWD V6 powered Buick or Oldsmobile to a RWD V8 powered land yacht like the Chevrolet Caprice/Buick Roadmaster/Cadillac Fleetwood.

[mikmak]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

Might be the best looking wagon I've ever seen mak. What is the trim level/powertrain specs?

I would pick another fat American sedan, only this time right wheel drive and V8 powered.

I can def. see some parity between the evolution of Commodore and that of the Impala, though I would loathe to take anything as low as this one^^^ along the new england highway.

As for my wagon it is basically the lowest spec level 2005 3.6 HFV6 (Executive) but has a few extra niceties as it is Ex-Cop; FR1 is the country suspension option with the same damping rate as Holdens standard sport suspension (FE 2 as fitted to the G8) but with an extra 1" of travel. Quad airbags, Sump plate , modified shift gate (where you don't press the button to switch between 4th and 2nd) and fast glass all round.

The only things I've added is 235/45R17 wheels and Titanium tinted windows. The only thing that needs improvements is the 4spd auto which isn't really that bad.

She drank 8.7l/100km on the first leg, but after my back road assault on the second day, the average rose to 9.9. Keep in mind that the last 50km was very hilly and I was not hanging around.

[King Riffle]

One of the main reasons these were so popular here. Very comfortable highway cruisers (and well-built, good handling, large trunked).

I plan on taking this one to lower Michigan and possibly Ontario this summer.

My last one,

I've driven to Escanaba Michigan (in the Northern Peninsula). Which isn't really that far (I have also driven it many other places, but Escanaba was the furthest away I could think of).


Very nice wagon you have btw. The scenery in your pics does look rather familiar (Though my part of Wisconsin is mostly forest).

Otherwise my parents had a Ford Crown Victoria back in the day. That was a good road trip vehicle.

[Smaart Aas Saabr]

I'll take one of these and I will get there before you

[isszy]

Nice Mikmak,

Lately most of the touring I do is with a van or motor bike trailer behind. It is amazing how well the Commodore wagon tows. I can sit on 120km/h all day with a 1200kg camper trailer behind, over bitumen or dirt.

[KillerMRK]

Oooh a Burger King!

Lovely cars you two! The closest thing we have to those are 12 year old Chevy Caprices. :P

[cdp326]

Originally Posted by KillerMRK

Oooh a Burger King!

Lovely cars you two! The closest thing we have to those are 12 year old Chevy Caprices. :P

[King Riffle]

Originally Posted by isszy

Nice Mikmak,

Lately most of the touring I do is with a van or motor bike trailer behind. It is amazing how well the Commodore wagon tows. I can sit on 120km/h all day with a 1200kg camper trailer behind, over bitumen or dirt.

I can't imagine camping in Austrailia, with all those animals trying to eat you...

It's funny though. Looking at those pictures from Austrailia, they could easily have been taken in Wisconsin. In the summer of course.

Damn you guys have nice wagons.

[chinamonty]

Now you are making me homesick for a spot of bush camping or perhaps a visit to Apollo bay where our familly have a couple of properties.
Wagons are very few and far between here and I cant understand why. They tend to use people movers but i think a station wadon would suit a lot of purposes better. We could use a sportswagon at work.

[isszy]

Originally Posted by chinamonty

Now you are making me homesick for a spot of bush camping or perhaps a visit to Apollo bay where our familly have a couple of properties.
Wagons are very few and far between here and I cant understand why. They tend to use people movers but i think a station wadon would suit a lot of purposes better. We could use a sportswagon at work.

The shot taken at Hungry Jacks was at Geelong on the way to Apollo Bay - the single shot of the car next to the Landcruiser was taken on the foreshore just to the west of Apollo Bay. I reckon your family's properties would be worth a fortune now.