In recent days, our Cohort contributors from Down Under have uploaded a few classic sightings, so perhaps it’s time to check out what they’ve come across. Rarest of the bunch is the “notorious and little appreciated” Leyland P76, found by Rod in CBR.
The P76’s sad sad tale was covered at CC a while back. As it happened every so often with BL, they aimed for the stars with the model, failing to fully ignite and burning up on re-entry. Still, much good was in the car; strut front suspension, power-assisted disc brakes, and powered by Rover’s (ex-Buick) light aluminum V8. The car’s styling is certainly memorable, as it was by Michelotti doing his impression of what “American” looks were. 18K units were built; how many can still remain?
Another find by Rod in CBR, a ’78-81 Subaru pickup, or utility, as I think they call them in Australia. Are Subarus Japan’s “long-running Volvo” equivalent? I mean, they sold in fewer numbers than Datsuns and Toyotas, but their survival rate would make one think otherwise nowadays.
For something more Aussie, here’s a Ford Falcon Forte posted by CC author Peter Wilding. In the alternate timeline that is Ford of Australia, the Falcon nameplate had a long life that lasted from 1960 to 2016. This is the AU/sixth generation, launched in 1998 and originally wearing an unpopular waterfall grille. This one carries the updated look of the 2000-01 years, and according to Peter, these cars “seem to run forever”.
I may get this one wrong as stuff and trim are missing, but it’s quite a curbside find. Seems to be a ’62-’65 Vauxhall Velox PB, also found by Rod in CBR.
Pretty, sophisticated, delicate Italians were a thing the world over, though few remain to tell the tale. This ‘73-’84 Lancia Beta Coupé found by Rod in CBR looks to have a devoted owner (could it be otherwise?), and provides a good deal of panache to its surroundings.
Another Peter Wilding find, a ’72-’74 Chrysler by Chrysler. And no, that’s not a typo. From ’71 to ’76, it was the prestige market model by Chrysler Australia, created to face Ford’s Fairlane and Holden’s Statesman. This one carries non factory vinyl, trim and paint, but as Peter says, it’s a survivor.
I don’t recall ever seeing a VW Type 3 Squareback done in two-tone treatment, but perhaps is an Aussie thing? In any case, it almost works to my eye. Another find by Rod in CBR.
And we’ll close this visit with another Australian market model, a well preserved ’63-’65 Holden EH. This one is still mingling with daily traffic, and is another capture by Rod in CBR.
Smart two-tone on the Squareback. The chrome lines up correctly with the frunk lid. Wish I’d thought of it when I owned one like this!
The “Chrysler by Chrysler” is a mini somewhat downsized Fuselage to my eye!
– Similar bumper, Windshield and A pillars.
Lead photo, not sure what the truck in the background is, but I’ll take one!
Maybe a Toyota?
Looks like a Land Cruiser HJ45 similar to this:
A nice group of never seen by Yanks cars, thank you ! .
I quite like the Holden EH .
-Nate
I’ve always been impressed by the Falcon Forte version.
Weird, but its design has a charming appeal.
Ugh… that Holden EH looks like a really bad copy of something, but not sure what…maybe a British Lada/Fiat 124? not sure if it’s boring or hideous… actually it’s both. Atrocious. At least it’s topped off by the appropriate color… shite brown.