Best Aussie car of last 30 years

[Late braker]

Great thread btw! Thanks

[GT1533]

Originally Posted by b0son

It (the VFII) was the culmination of massive investment that frankly dwarfed the development input of any other Australian made car.

Just as a point of interest, Holden made a big deal about the $1 billion they invested in the VE, but Ford spent that much on the AU Falcon program 10 years earlier!

[Adamz Ghia]

For me it’s the AU Falcon by a country mile. The engineering that went into it and how reliable it was compared to anything before or since has it right up there. It was different, each variant had its own look, and by Series 3 Ford was really going balls to the wall with it, especially with the XR8 and T3.

Plus, without that car we don’t get BA, the I6 Turbo, and I doubt the Territory would have been what it was.

[willo56]

Originally Posted by XR Martin

I remember everyone rubbing themselves raw over the VF interior. I always thought it was way over done, I counted something like 9 different textures and materials on the dash and door trim. Even after a year or two old, fabric and chrome bits were starting to peel, and I often wonder how well they're holding together nowadays.
Sure the chassis was better than the FG, but I'd rather my FGX interior.

Yeah nah ...one of the criticisms of the FGX was Ford leaving the interior largely unchanged since 2008

The VF interior feels like a generation ahead in terms of looks and features, because it was

Originally Posted by Adamz Ghia

For me it’s the AU Falcon by a country mile. The engineering that went into it and how reliable it was compared to anything before or since has it right up there.

Yeah was a milestone in a number of ways for sure - looks wise it was pretty divisive though and doomed it sales wise

[Rob 351]

Honourable mention to the FG/FGX G6e turbo’s. The ultimate sleeper!
Would have been wonderful to get a G8 but it unfortunately never happened…

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by simon varley

Ranger

In terms of global success, it's the only australian designed and engineered vehicle that has ever had any. Not being made here means it's not really on this list though.

Originally Posted by XR Martin

AU ute would have to get a mention.
Half monocoque half chassis is only something Ford Australia would have attempted and it was a massive success. Then the crazy bastards did a lift kit and threw a locker on in the BA. How many other production cars have had a 3" lift from the factory?
They are still a better vehicle to drive than a modern single cab Thai ute.

It was so ironic that the AU ute wasn't even a ute. If you strictly follow the guidelines/definitions, it was actually a pick up, not a ute, cause the body and cab are seperate.

FoA sent over 5 BA-FG utes about 5 years ago to Dearborn, cause the yanks wanted to have a good look how we built them. The Maverick has a small hint of Falcon ute inspiring it's construction.

Originally Posted by Sprintey

Does the recent downsizing of engineering and US taking the Ranger development mean there will be no more Aussie designed cars for Australia?

That idea to have F series and Ranger share a platform was dropped. So all future Ranger design and development will continue here. It was never going to mean that the yanks were going to take it over, just that the "toolbox" was going to make various suspension models etc be able to be scaled up and down to suit. I'm assuming that it wouldn't have changed the fact the Ranger still would have had the bulk of it's design and engineering done here still.

The yanks wouldn't have the man power or the knowledge of being able to make a vehicle to suit the requirements of over 180 countries, considering they pretty much only make vehicles for North America.

And in regards to the recent redundancies among the engineering group here, that is solely because the new Ranger is now into production in basically every facility, so the extra resources that were brought in for that program are now no longer needed.






As for the best of the last 30 years, it depends what the criteria is. As a breakthrough SUV, that's the Territory. It was ground breaking when it arrived.

The Barra and Miami powered Falcons were brilliant. The king of the performance heap was the W1 though. I just wish we had of had the money to pour into the Sprints as HSV had to pour into the W1.

[ToryMikey]

Originally Posted by XR Martin

AU ute would have to get a mention.
Half monocoque half chassis is only something Ford Australia would have attempted and it was a massive success. Then the crazy bastards did a lift kit and threw a locker on in the BA. How many other production cars have had a 3" lift from the factory?
They are still a better vehicle to drive than a modern single cab Thai ute.

That last sentence hits the nail on the head. Why would I go buy a Hilux Workmate 4cyl when my 1996 Falcon ute drives better, looks better, has a bigger tub and probably uses less fuel to boot?

It has the same amount of forward gears and same lack of variable intermittent wipers too

[Sprintey]

Great lot of replies, I'm seeing respect for the final performance rides from both sides too. Ranger being the only successful Aussie designed global car is probably a subject for it's own thread, cheers for clearing up that we still get to design it, I was a bit unclear after a recent post from Simon.

Mods - could we please have a poll attached to thread with the contenders up as choices?

[FTE217]

AU really is the lazarus of FOAU, was dead in the water by so so many even our own followers but look what it became through its gens.......
Talk about those pre grand ol days of running on the whiff of a oily rag the AU ended up being a modern day goliath - even the cab companies hated losing it.
Tuff like the ol days they just last and last.

I'm a huge fan for the F6 and E's the G6ET's (GTE's as well) - they with the I6 we're brilliant.
Miami's more brilliance the modern day Ford King V8 full stop.
FGX finally getting DRL's stood them out and the Sprints despite FG trim you DGAF when your driving one.

[janddbone]

My favourite when all round considerations are given is the ED. However the BEST was the AU.

[Bossxr8]

In terms of advancement, the AU was a bit of a nail really. Only real advancement was the optional IRS. Which should have been standard imo.

There was nothing really advanced on it bar that. Drivetrains in particular were just refinements of what came before. But at least they finally cracked the head gasket issue.

[ToryMikey]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

In terms of advancement, the AU was a bit of a nail really. Only real advancement was the optional IRS. Which should have been standard imo.

There was nothing really advanced on it bar that. Drivetrains in particular were just refinements of what came before. But at least they finally cracked the head gasket issue.

Well that's just it, it's the final culmination of the E-Series formula really. The fact that they are tough as nails contribute to their meme appeal.

BA went backwards in a few places. The BA IRS (that you couldn't escape if you wanted a sedan) and the electronic throttle control were particular sticking points. Not that Commodore IRS was any better, but the red team won the marketing war on that one!

However BA did bring back something that was missing from the EF, EL and AU: a manual V8 base model. Now *that* was cool.

Edit: My XH (94AB engine) still has the original head gasket. Never overheated, at least not in my ownership. Just did the water pump, radiator, hoses and coolant expansion tank over Catholic Easter weekend. Anything else that can be done to extend its life?

[simon varley]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Not being made here means it's not really on this list though.

weeell, that was never in the terms and conditions right?. It's an aussie car. the next gen even have the stickers to prove it

[marty351]

Aaaaaayyyyyyyyy uuuuuoooooooo! Hard to believe that the black sheep of Ford was a diamond in the rough all along.
And a close 2nd for the last boganized mang mobile, the humble Veee-Teee.

[PG2]

Poll added as per request by OP.

There are only so many options that you can have. I have tried to make those options ones already mentioned.

[rods falcon]

I voted for the Territory, because even though I now have an Everest and it has been a good car so far, there are aspects of the Territory that I do miss. I said at the time of purchasing the Everest that I would have purchased another Territory if they were still made.

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

In terms of global success, it's the only australian designed and engineered vehicle that has ever had any. Not being made here means it's not really on this list though.





It was so ironic that the AU ute wasn't even a ute. If you strictly follow the guidelines/definitions, it was actually a pick up, not a ute, cause the body and cab are seperate.

FoA sent over 5 BA-FG utes about 5 years ago to Dearborn, cause the yanks wanted to have a good look how we built them. The Maverick has a small hint of Falcon ute inspiring it's construction.





That idea to have F series and Ranger share a platform was dropped. So all future Ranger design and development will continue here. It was never going to mean that the yanks were going to take it over, just that the "toolbox" was going to make various suspension models etc be able to be scaled up and down to suit. I'm assuming that it wouldn't have changed the fact the Ranger still would have had the bulk of it's design and engineering done here still.

The yanks wouldn't have the man power or the knowledge of being able to make a vehicle to suit the requirements of over 180 countries, considering they pretty much only make vehicles for North America.

And in regards to the recent redundancies among the engineering group here, that is solely because the new Ranger is now into production in basically every facility, so the extra resources that were brought in for that program are now no longer needed.






As for the best of the last 30 years, it depends what the criteria is. As a breakthrough SUV, that's the Territory. It was ground breaking when it arrived.

The Barra and Miami powered Falcons were brilliant. The king of the performance heap was the W1 though. I just wish we had of had the money to pour into the Sprints as HSV had to pour into the W1.

Just want to say how much I appreciate yours and simon varley's contributions on these subjects, its great to hear from people closer to the boiler room so to speak.

[Sprintey]

Originally Posted by XR Martin

I remember everyone rubbing themselves raw over the VF interior. I always thought it was way over done, I counted something like 9 different textures and materials on the dash and door trim. Even after a year or two old, fabric and chrome bits were starting to peel, and I often wonder how well they're holding together nowadays.
Sure the chassis was better than the FG, but I'd rather my FGX interior.

Just on that subject in the 2nd handy market for VF's it seems the base model with the cloth interior has aged better than the Calais interior trims - with the Calais you're also buying the owner and if they cared for the interior, seen some of those white stripes horribly skidmarked and the cloth near the start button really rough and dirty.

[FTE217]

Originally Posted by simon varley

weeell, that was never in the terms and conditions right?. It's an aussie car. the next gen even have the stickers to prove it

I really can't call a car/or SUV made elsewhere an Aussie car mind you.
Aussie designed obviously but its not made here.
The thread and poll should specifiy this for clarity for true hands on Australian Made.
Thats my belief on the question TBH not meaning any offense to the OP or yourself sv.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Just want to say how much I appreciate yours and simon varley's contributions on these subjects, its great to hear from people closer to the boiler room so to speak.

[NX74205]

The B-Series. It brought Falcon into the 21st Century, by adding technology like drive by wire, DOHC, turbo, 6 speed ZF etc, and its styling was much more resolved than its predecessor.

[CyberWasp]

Wot....no mention for the obvious winner, which just scrapes in, finishing production in 94. Yes I am joking....

[Syndrome]

None of the above

F6 Typhoon

[stock1991]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

Wot....no mention for the obvious winner, which just scrapes in, finishing production in 94. Yes I am joking....

image

days of the Barchetta

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

Wot....no mention for the obvious winner, which just scrapes in, finishing production in 94. Yes I am joking....

image

If we're playing that game.

[Syndrome]

1999 E100 Toyota Corolla

[stock1991]

I wonder if there is a way to calculate it in dollar terms? What was the most profitable, pure hard capitalism.

[Sprintey]

So get your votes in folks, it appears the best Aussie car of the last 30 years is the AU Falcon at present! Like David Cameron putting up a Brexit vote and having to accept its results (lol), the car that had Ford in damage control upon public release is turning out to be Cinderella and the best!

Here's a timely lesson on internet polls:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiTqIyx6tBU

[rare ss]

100% biased vote but my choice is the FG FPV F6

Hear me out.. this car changed the game for aussie performance sedans and in my opinion stepped up the modern day muscle car race between Ford and GMH into another gear

The first generations on the Barra turbo were pretty sedate as to not embarrass the 8 but the FG was let loose

Put simply it took HSV 8 years to release a car to beat it, you have to wonder without the FG F6 would the LSA have happened?

I would have loved to see what the next generation of FPV vehicles could have been had Ford continued on with them, and all wheel drive FGX F6 to take on the M5 maybe??

[bangm001]

For me its probably the following, in no particular order.

BA XR6 Turbo. This was a game changer in the modern ford era and brought in alot of people like myself back over to the ford camp.

Ba Typhoon right up to BF and FG F6. Theres no denying that the turbo barras in FPV guise were a cracker engine combo.

VFII SSVs (the 6.2L is also a great donk) and theres no wonder why they are everywhere doing daily duties.

There has to be mention of the original VX Holden Monaros and HSV GTOs/GTS coupes. They still look great on the roads as a tuff streeter over 20 years later!

Obviously the GTF and GTSR's are honourable mentions but i'd probably never own either.