Trawling through Carpoint rehashed now with yellow sportwagon

[mikmak]

Originally Posted by nota

Btw from Brand-Evil I know, but I'm sure you and others will enjoy this excellent (UK!) page re unusual Oz factory colours
From merely weird Kwikasair Violet to the downright bizzare Aviation Surface Orange ?!?! rofl

C.U.B. Brown!
"I allus was wan at eleven"


Oh yeah, 193MPH in a munro

[RedVee8]

Originally Posted by mikmak

We are going for a pre-approval for the house at the moment, so I still have to wait until we get a fixed price contract for construction etc. etc. mrs. mak is still pretty keen, but we just found out that my brother in-laws ...brother in-law runs a Skoda dealer in Brisvegas.

So if the house works out, we'll still need to discuss which way we want to go.

MikMak,
Good luck with the house. With the car, if you go Sportwagon are you thinking country suspension?

Cedarman,
Sounds like the 5speed auto/195kw combo is worth the extra coin over the Omega/Berlina setup???
I'm starting to be seduced by the Sportwagon 60th Ann as a value package.

[mikmak]

I still haven't taken the opportunity to test drive one yet (trying to exhibit some self control and justify the finances before I let a salesman make me think I've pressured him into a good deal ). I have heard that the wagon already has better body control than the sedan, so I'll have to check whether the stiffer spec is too stiff (which obviously means testing an SV6, again the self control thing ). I would like the country suspension, but as per my previous warblings, the omission of LSD is equal parts frustration and disappointment.

This is a pretty good deal!

[RedVee8]

Originally Posted by mikmak

I still haven't taken the opportunity to test drive one yet (trying to exhibit some self control and justify the finances before I let a salesman make me think I've pressured him into a good deal ). I have heard that the wagon already has better body control than the sedan, so I'll have to check whether the stiffer spec is too stiff (which obviously means testing an SV6, again the self control thing ). I would like the country suspension, but as per my previous warblings, the omission of LSD is equal parts frustration and disappointment.

This is a pretty good deal!

Yep, it is. Though I'd be looking 800 kms rather than 8000 on the clock.

That is my first choice (my wifes choice is to get another Cappy) a Calais Sportwagon. I have been thinking a demo Calais V, or if the model change over happens when i'm in the market, a superseded Calais V. i've just been up around Mudgee, visiting dead relatives, and am thinking the extra height of the country pack (or Cappy) may be useful as I intend to go back a few more times over the next few years.

Bad news bit - I'm starting to waver on the Calais though as I've just been told by by Dep CEO that the belts are being drastically tightened - starting NOW. Also the V8 AFM is only 2.5 green stars. But I'm sure in the current climate I would have been vetoed on the 8. Starting to think a little cheaper than Calais may be a good thing. Hence 60th Ann / SV6 thoughts, even wondering about the room in an Astra wagon VS Cappy LX VS Sportwagon. Boot measurements, 2nd row up and down etc. (not just litres).

Good news bit - just hit 73kms. Changeover is 3yrs/100kms whichever comes first. But, Dep CEO dropped the bone that permission "could" be given anytime after 80kms if I "happened" to find a good deal. I do 2.7 a month on average. So May/June may be the time now instead of Oct/Nov.

I want all the same features I have now in the Captiva LX, leather, mp3 cd plus aux input, climate, all seats with lap sash & headrests. Would like RWD or AWD as pref, would like levelling rear suspension, heated mirrors, heated seats. the Cappy has all that except heated seats. Want a sunroof this time around. Want roof bars, roof rack, that I can use my roof pod on.

Shortlist - Sportwagon, Captiva LX, Forester XT, Outback. longshots - Saab 93 wagon, Astra wagon, Koleos, Tiguan.

Fly in the ointment. Daughter still not got her licence. Do I get a 5 seater ie not all of us can fit in car together. Magic 8ball says.... all indications say Yes. But, I'm sure there will be family input on that one......

happy to hear your thoughts if you "happen" to test drive a SV6, Country pack etc ......

[cedarman24]

Cedarman,
Sounds like the 5speed auto/195kw combo is worth the extra coin over the Omega/Berlina setup???
I'm starting to be seduced by the Sportwagon 60th Ann as a value package.[/quote]

Yes and No, I love love the look of it over the omega/berlina, love that bit of extra power, gearbox is sweet. Would have like better seats (ss) and a bit more in the dash ie. 6 stacker, climate control.
hhmmm sounds like a Calais
If the 60th Ann was around when i placed the order i would have went for it. But then i get out of the car and look at it as i walk away nah i'll stick to the SV6. Love the looks.

did see a dark blue omega(std) looked very classy.

[RedVee8]

Originally Posted by cedarman24

Cedarman,
Sounds like the 5speed auto/195kw combo is worth the extra coin over the Omega/Berlina setup???
I'm starting to be seduced by the Sportwagon 60th Ann as a value package.

Yes and No, I love love the look of it over the omega/berlina, love that bit of extra power, gearbox is sweet. Would have like better seats (ss) and a bit more in the dash ie. 6 stacker, climate control.
hhmmm sounds like a Calais
If the 60th Ann was around when i placed the order i would have went for it. But then i get out of the car and look at it as i walk away nah i'll stick to the SV6. Love the looks.

did see a dark blue omega(std) looked very classy.[/quote]

Would that have been Vespers blue? Vespers (or any other dark blue) seem to be gone from the colour list now.
I'm liking Karma, but not sure that'd suit a sporty look. maybe Evoke.

Yeah, i guess I want the SV6 outsides with the Calais insides.
Like we were saying before...c'mon Holden give us a SV6 V !

Can you get a sunroof on the sportwagon? my Astra has a webasto, ordered with the car, and it is very good.

[mikmak]

I couldn't find the Sunroof option for any wagon, however, I did find that you can't get the rear view camera with a V8!

Also, ordering the DVD player from the factory options list, saves you a gorilla, over dealer fitted option.

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by BBDOS CV8

Where's that - McPhillamy? What a great shot - the three Munros in front of four XWs. What a kick in the slats for Henry! Never seen that shot before -did you or your dad take that one, Nota?

Love the 'battery strap bonnet ties' on the red one.

Just imagine racing up and down that mountain - 1/2" solid 9" discs and drums on the back for six-seven hours! Pulling up down the bottom of Conrod from 150mph! Those blokes had balls!

It's no wonder Falcodores handle good when you think about this legacy.

No, that (very famous) picture is at the end of conrod, turning left onto Pit Straight. Also the Fords are XT GTs, not XWs.

Fastest cat that year was 126 mph, not 150.

The HK front brakes were 1/2" thick, but were 10.625" in diameter & the rear drums were 10", still not big.

nota said: " I should have mentioned Warwick Yellow was (initially) exclusive to 'Bathurst' model Monaro GTS 327 - including the '68 race winner"

This is not true. Warwick Yellow was available on any HK Monaro GTS (6 cyl or V8).

Dr Terry

[TuffG929]

I really like the Hazard color.

[nota]

Originally Posted by Dr Terry

Fastest cat that year was 126 mph, not 150.

128.57 mph to be precise from the winning Monaro of pole sitter Bruce McPhee.
The red Monaro of Des West (with those funky bonnnet straps) was clocked at 135 mph but later disqualified for (inadvertent fitment of) non-homologation big valve heads

nota said: " I should have mentioned Warwick Yellow was (initially) exclusive to 'Bathurst' model Monaro GTS 327 - including the '68 race winner"

This is not true. Warwick Yellow was available on any HK Monaro GTS (6 cyl or V8).

Dr Terry

Terry I guess we will have to disagree in friendly fashion because my memory tells me of reading period media reports which told that - at the time of release of GTS 327 Monaro - the availability of this colour was initially held exclusive to that specific model. Which is why I mentioned it as being a 'hero' colour. However this restriction may have only stood for weeks (ie cashing in after Bathurst?) and yes it did subseqently spread to other models in the HK range

[nota]

Originally Posted by BBDOS CV8

Where's that - McPhillamy? What a great shot - the three Munros in front of four XWs. What a kick in the slats for Henry! Never seen that shot before -did you or your dad take that one, Nota?

I wish! My earliest was seeing the Goose win in 1974, so no mate its just a scan.
But glad you liked it and may I throw in these others for your interest?

Love the 'battery strap bonnet ties' on the red one.

Close up it looks suspiciously like leather belts attached to some 1960s era kitchen cupboard handles!

It's no wonder Falcodores handle good when you think about this legacy.

You're absolutely right, the rigours of production-based racing definately improved our local cars.


^^ pic showing all three 'factory' HDRT Monaros exiting Conrod, plus that wonderful Warren Weldon Studebaker

^^ McPhillamy Park, 1968 (XT Falcon 500 V8 3-speed, look at that body roll!)

1968 was a fascinating race, the first big Holden/Ford showdown at the Mountain. Those Monaro 327s had a definite power advantage both up and down the mountain and their big 25 gallon tank offered a two-stop potential. Conversely the 302 Fords had the edge in brakes and handling, but 16 gallons meant three stops (including one for brakes) and having to be driven flat out all day to stand a chance against the grunty Holdens. Btw due to exacting preparation the winning Monaro of Bruce McPhee completed the entire 500 miles without changing pads OR tyres (see quote!) yet the above-pictured Falcon GT succumbed to a blown piston after a stone holed its radiator, while leading the race with only around 20 laps to go...

"Michelin used to give me four new [XAS] tyres for the race. I'd firstly fit them to the car and run them around on the road to make sure they were a good, sound set of tyres. Then I'd take them down to Bandag and they'd spin them up on a high speed shredder and buff the tread off down to a depth of 2mm and that was the secret to getting good lap times and minimal wear.

On that one set of buffed Michelins, we drove the Monaro from Wyong down to Sandown, did the [250 mile] race, drove it home and changed the tyres diagonally. Then we drove to Bathurst and did the whole [500 mile] race on them as well, but I must admit they were starting to get a little thin towards the end of the race because a couple of the wires were starting to show through."

[Dr Terry]

Originally Posted by nota

Terry I guess we will have to disagree in friendly fashion because my memory tells me of reading period media reports which told that - at the time of release of GTS 327 Monaro - the availability of this colour was initially held exclusive to that specific model. Which is why I mentioned it as being a 'hero' colour. However this restriction may have only stood for weeks (ie cashing in after Bathurst?) and yes it did subseqently spread to other models in the HK range

AFAIK of the 4 colours exclusive to the Monaro GTS in 1968, only the Silver Mink was made available on the rest of the HK range.

There are many examples of July, August & September (i.e. pre-Bathurst) built 186'S' & 307 Monaro GTSs in Warwick Yellow.

Dr Terry.

[from oz]

Originally Posted by MonaroSS

I like Yellow........

Somebody must have partially shared in your visions

[mikmak]

That's hot!

"Michelin used to give me four new [XAS] tyres for the race. I'd firstly fit them to the car and run them around on the road to make sure they were a good, sound set of tyres. Then I'd take them down to Bandag and they'd spin them up on a high speed shredder and buff the tread off down to a depth of 2mm and that was the secret to getting good lap times and minimal wear.

On that one set of buffed Michelins, we drove the Monaro from Wyong down to Sandown, did the [250 mile] race, drove it home and changed the tyres diagonally. Then we drove to Bathurst and did the whole [500 mile] race on them as well, but I must admit they were starting to get a little thin towards the end of the race because a couple of the wires were starting to show through."

That's hard core.

[mmciau]

Originally Posted by nota

128.57 mph to be precise from the winning Monaro of pole sitter Bruce McPhee.
The red Monaro of Des West (with those funky bonnnet straps) was clocked at 135 mph but later disqualified for (inadvertent fitment of) non-homologation big valve heads
Terry I guess we will have to disagree in friendly fashion because my memory tells me of reading period media reports which told that - at the time of release of GTS 327 Monaro - the availability of this colour was initially held exclusive to that specific model. Which is why I mentioned it as being a 'hero' colour. However this restriction may have only stood for weeks (ie cashing in after Bathurst?) and yes it did subseqently spread to other models in the HK range

Can't recall the exact year but Harry Firth was "pulled up" at scrutineering for rotating the front bumper bar 180 degree. The new contour supposedly aided aerodynamic behaviour on the front and brake cooling but he was told to put the bars back to the original configuration

Mike