The third-generation Honda Prelude launched in Australia in 1992 as an unassuming but effective sports coupe. Early Si versions had a 118kW four-cylinder which was deemed ‘adequate’ by people who were buying the Prelude as much for its stylish good looks as its performance. But there was a more performance-oriented element that thought the sweetly-balanced Prelude chassis could deal with more pow…
Retro Rides’ Market Analyst Cliff Chambers has owned lots of interesting cars and helped other people buy plenty more. Here he shares advice that will be valuable to anyone in the market for their first Classic vehicle.
The local motor industry was more than a little shocked in 1976 when Holden’s LX update of its mid-sized Torana included a stylish new hatchback body style. Versatility was the reason Holden had gone with the hatchback, expanding the Torana’s appeal and giving the car maker a player in a segment populated by Japanese models like Datsun’s 260Z 2+2 and Toyota’s Celica.
The XJ6 Jaguar displayed in 1968 at the London Motor Show was an extraordinary car. The shape was low and wide and owed nothing to the ‘compact’ saloons that had driven Jaguar’s fortunes since the 1950s, yet this car was so obviously a Jaguar it was displayed unadorned and without badges.
Bathurst in 1967 hosted an uneven battle between Ford’s new 4.7-litre Falcon GT and Alfa Romeo’s 1.6-litre GTV. The Alfas lost by half a lap but won the admiration of many enthusiasts, some of whom went on to become passionate Alfa owners in the years following that race.
Launched at the 1964 World’s Fair, Ford's ground-breaking Mustang was never really intended to be a performance car. It began life as a low cost, stylish 'secretary's car' with six cylinders and a bland persona. But there was a V8 option. The short lived F-Code 260 V8 for the 1964 model year with the C-Code 289 arriving for the 1965 models.
Mazda’s first production rotary, the Cosmos 110S was a sporty two-seat coupe and Mazda didn't build another one in significant quantities until 1978 when the RX7 appeared.
Chrysler’s budget-priced Pacer appeared in 1969 with bright colours, distinctive ‘Tombstone’ seats and a three-speed floor-shift. A year after the original VF model was launched came a restyled and more refined VG. This was the Adelaide-built car that Chrysler believed had the right combination of power, equipment and pricing to do battle with the rival Holden Torana and Ford Falcon V8.
Given that the United States in 1929 went close to sending the whole world bankrupt, it was seriously unfair that 20 years later it was rolling in loot and producing cars that hardly anyone else could afford.
In the mid-1980s Nissan Australia was in a pitched sales battle with other local manufacturers Ford, Holden, Mitsubishi and Toyota, as well as rival importers. The company badly wanted a large ‘family car’ contender and in 1986 reconfigured the Japanese-spec Passage sedan to meet local needs. At the same time, it designed a competent and attractive station wagon version which Japan didn’t have.
Having watched as Holden’s two-door Monaro pinched the limelight and lots of sales, Ford could only wait until 1972 for its XA Falcon Hardtop to be ready for sale.
Ford’s Customline was seen during the 1950s as symbolising success and authority. These cars were the preferred conveyance of established businessman, state and federal politicians, and were also by the wallopers to reel in speeding Holdens.
February 1964 arrived just like any other month; except this time the entire US motor industry was forced to watch in silence as Ford’s Mustang dismantled their economic expectations.