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.
Indeed it is. I’m still amazed Mother Mopar let us Aussies have the budget to develop our own unique Valiant range back then – all the more so now that I’ve learnt more of the challenges they were fighting in the US. Unfortunately the design looked big and bulky at a time when feeling was that the family sixes were getting too big, coupled to which the style aged quickly.
Never mind that NZ versions were different again with local content trim levels, Valiants were bloody good cars.
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.
It’s quite dignifed for its time. Especially compared to the previous model, the EJ. Friends of my parents had an EJ, and I remember as a kid staring at it in fascinated wonder; so much about that one did look weird.
Wow and hydramatic a mate of mine had one it had glacial acceleration, my EH hydramatic had the more powerful red 179 and went like a six cylinder car not a tired 4 banger
Can’t imagine a hydramatic behind the old grey motor, would just about redefine the word slow!
I can still remember the sound a grey motored Hydramatic made when taking off, or to put it more accurately, started to move, lots of revs, then all of a sudden a jerk with the revs dropping so that the engine sounded like it was really struggling and that was on a flat road.
I swore as a kid I would never own a car that sounded like that.
They were good strong cars though, they had that solid construction that GM cars had back then.
Yes, yes, I know that cursed sound! Used to get a lift to primary school in an EK wagon thus equipped. Wheezy old grey six climbing right up the revs then seemingly falling off a cliff into boggery while the trans-re arranged schedules, checked the weather, and finally threw the driveline into the next gear.
And I am perhaps the only Aussie who prefers the EJ, Pete! I really think the EH is a bit plain.
Count me as a fan of the EJ over the EH.
Yep, also prefer the EJ’s looks to the EH. The EH was good too, but I prefer the EJ’s more organic rear.
EH was a good model in Australia it had the new red six I had a couple the second one I ran for 8 years in the 90s early 2000s apart from the feeble brakes they were OK, the PB Vauxhall pictured were a much nicer but more expensive car which ran until 67 in Aussie 63/64 in NZ GMH did not update them when ythe more powerful engine was introduced ith good reason their X2 hotrot Holdens couldnt hold a candle to a 3.3 Vauxhall,
The P76 was an inhouse design Michelottis proposal did get used, the parts used in them were BL bin stuff, Triumph front suspension tall deck version of the Rover V8 a lawnmower grade six cylinder there are a lot of survivors, they continued P76 assembly in NZ after the Aussie operation closed but they werent a big seller the Targa Florio model pictured was top of the range.
AU Falcons had their issues steering racks are weak diffs and rear brakes are troublesome and transmissions often only lasted the warranty period, the extended service intervals had no modifications to make them last the distance, my brother ran one for years but as a Ford trained mechanic he knew the weak points and how to keep it going, now that Ford AU has stopped production parts are difficult to find, the end their lives doing burnouts in NZ.
Hehehe, oh dear, them’s fightin’ words Randerson! The EH Holden was and is very popular downunder. To me, they’re not a spectacular looker, but they’re not ugly in real life.
Btw, the EH has 11 inches more wheelbase (at 106 inches) than a Fiat 124, and 4 inches wider, with a 179c.i. straight six. Think ’60’s Falcon sized.
You’re right that it’s got style cues from everywhere – plenty of Vauxhall and even a hint of BMC Farina in the roof and C pillar.
Not sure the wheels actually help though
Making a big deal about power disc brakes is a joke, All Australian cars assembled in NZ from the mid 60s had power disc brakes as standard fitment, from the mid 60s onward Aussie cars got upgraded to compete in NZ nothing else ran drum brakes all round, Imagine the Ford sales man trying to flog you a drum braked Falcon when the Zephyr across the showroom had discs all round, Ford AU kept those cars off its menu for similar reasons GMH never upgraded big Vauxhalls.
Holden’s best-ever selling car and No. 1 in its time, the HQ, had the pleasure of giving you unassisted 4-wheel drums (including Kingswood, not just Belmont) till its demise in mid-’74.
Some Internet research reveals that the owner of the Chrysler is a pretty interesting person.
He’s in his 80s, and a two years ago won a horse (harness) race. Article is here, along with a picture of him and his Chrysler:
https://www.foxsports.com.au/horse-racing/pretty-amazing-82yearold-bob-kuchenmeister-drives-winner-at-trots-in-mindboggling-trifecta/news-story/91daaa99219bb7e09016cd182887ad19
Another article mentions that he considered restoring the Chrysler at one point, but decided he’d rather get back into horses – something he’d been active in when he was younger.
Remarkable person – the car is an amazing find, but is even better knowing more of its story.
I’ve never spoken to him, but I’ve seen him around town. Didn’t know it was his car.
The pb velox is an early, pre-facelift model that ran the 2.6 motor carried over from latter PA models. The facelift edition for ’65 had a bigger 3.3 version and a block style grille.
The EH was the best selling Holden until the HQ came along in ’71.
139 P76s left in New Zealand, and they’re still fairly well-known here for a car that didn’t last long!