One-offs, oddballs & wot-ifs
1. Sunbeam Alpine/Tiger V8 380HP Supercar
Take one early 1960s 900kg British sports car, shoehorn a 380HP 302 Ford V8, beef up the driveline to suit with bullnose close ratio 4 speed toploader & 9 inch LSD, vented discs all round, rack and pinion steering, 15" Globe alloys, outrageous flares and bonnet scoop, Recaro seats, race bred suspension, considerable chassis reinforcements, stop counting at $50,000, prepare for competition in the Targa Tasmania, and you have a weapon of mass destruction! (for sale, see our cars for sale page)
2. Prince Skyline GTB
Mention the name "Prince", and most people think of a funky African-American rock star whose voice still hasn't cracked, but in 1960s Japan, Prince made competent, but boring cars and light commercial vehicles. In 1964 Prince launched the Skyline 1500, a basic 4 cylinder sedan that resembled the not yet released Datsun 1600. Prince aquired the rights to the old 1950s design OHC 6 Mercedes engine, fitting it into their own version of a Nissan Cedric, called the Gloria. In a very bold and unprecedented move, Prince then stretched the nose of the Skyline by a massive 8 inches forward of the firewall and installed the same engine! Determined not to do anything by halves, they also upped the compression ratio, modified the head and camshaft, fitted 3 magnificent 45 DCOE Webers, dropped in a 5 speed gearbox, LSD, finned rear brake drums, massive 99 litre tank with quick-fill cap in the boot, Nardi style woodrim wheel, full instrument dash, and straight through exhaust, to produce a not too shabby 127HP from a car weighing roughly the same as a Ford Escort. Did it go? (do eskimoes wear leg warmers in winter?) The Skyline S54 A200 BE3 GTB was a very competitive race car in Japan, much less so in Australia, but set a precedent for high performance 6 cylinder Nissan Skylines such as the 'Godzilla' GTRs that continues to this day.
In 1967, the car formerly known as Prince became a wholly owned subsidiary of Nissan Motor Co., and Prince still designs and manufactures high performance Skylines under its own name even now. Over 300 Skyline GTAs (2 barrel carby only) and GTBs were sold new in Australia, it is believed
around 10% of that number survive. (for sale, refer cars for sale page)
3. Triumph TR8
Before slipping forever into obscurity, British Leyland's Triumph arm turned a pretty ordinary excuse for a sports car (the TR7) into a hairy chested road rocket (the TR8). Not just a logical forward numbering exercise, the TR8 was basically a TR7 stuffed full of 3.9 litre Rover V8, mostly sold in the US for less than two years, and available in coupe or convertible form. They went like stink, but handling and brakes were apparently a bit ordinary. Heaps of TR7s have received the TR8 conversion (kits are apparently available in Victoria and the original 5 speeds supposedly can handle the extra torque and horsepower). My car is one of the 'backyard' TR8s. Jolly good show, old chap.
4. Leyland Marina GT/4
Stop laughing! Prior to its imminent implosion in October 1974 Leyland R&D actually turned out a couple of interesting cars. The Marina 6 was a logical competitor for every other Australian and Japanese small car stuffed with a 6 cylinder motor (Torana, Cortina, Centura, 240K, 240C, 2000 Mk2 etc), and ran the OHC P76 with surprisingly little modification. Leyland wanted a sportier model with a bit more go, so developed the unique GT/4, the only 6 cylinder Marina to ever be fitted with a 4 speed trans. It also featured twin SU carburettors, headers, performance camshaft, T/C alloy wheels, sports instrumentation and steering wheel, and distinctive striping. The GT/4 was available in 2 door and 4 door varieties. It was due for release about the time that Leyland went belly up, and consequently, very very very few were sold, possibly in the single figures. Leyland was also developing an all alloy V6 of 3.3 litre capacity, basically a sectioned shortened 4.4 litre V8. This thing would have been carnal. NSW Police tested standard straight 6 cylinder Marinas and reported they were quicker than triple carbed GTR Toranas, but not as stable at high speeds. The rest is history.
5. Ford Escort RS2000 Mk 1 'Rally'
In 1975 Ford imported a batch of 25 RS2000 Mk 1 Escorts for competition use. Most were raced or rallied, but a few became street cars. This is NOT one of those vehicles, although it features a lot of the RS2000 homologated 'group B' goodies, such as twin 44 IDF Webers, World Cup crossmember, adjustable pedal box, LSD, RS 4 spoke alloys etc. This is possibly a reshelled RS2000, as it was used in rallying. The round light grille, 'type 49' shell reinforcements, mild front flares, bumperettes, 6 clock dash etc have been retained, with additions such as full roll cage, 5 speed Celica gearbox, Stratos seats, race harnesses, removed rear seat, foam filled remote fill fuel tank, bonnet pins etc. The weird colour (Magenta) was my idea. Sorry.
6. Ford Escort RS2000 Mk2 "X-Pack"
The X-Pack was a popular option on British Ford Fiestas, Escorts and Capris in the mid to late 70s, and had Fred Ford enthusiast hooking up like Roger Clark or Tony Pond around the backstreets of Kent. Box flares and wide RS 4 spoke alloys looked the part, and minor engine and suspension tweaks livened up the party. Of course, Ford Australia had to get into the act, building a blue 2 litre GL coupe and this nifty Pine'n'Lime RS2000 to spice up their stands at 1979 Motor Shows. By the time the bean counters had crunched the numbers, the Aussie X Packs would've carried a whopping 25% premium over their less endowed brethren ($6,600 basic RS2000, $8,300 X-Pack RS2000!) The public loved the look of them, but weren't willing or able to cough up the extra dough, and the cars became one-offs. The RS2000 was sold through a Canberra Ford dealer, and had about a gazillion owners before I stumbled across it in 2001.
7. Ford Capri RS3100 Spa Special
Ford Britain did a dumb thing. It announced its highest performance Capri ever the same day as OPEC announced the first of several fuel crises. To homologate its RS3100 Capri for racing in Europe (to try and break the dominance of the BMW 633) it had to build 1,000 of 'em. It fell a little way short at 249, and still couldn't give them away. So in July 1974 it shipped 50 of them to Australia, convincing us what a great weapon it would be for Bathurst. Barry Seton raced one. So did Dick Johnson. A few others were used in competition, but most became street cars. About 20 - 25 survive. This is one of them. 3100 means 3 litres bored 10". It also runs unique 4 spoke alloys, SL/R 5000 type ducktail rear spoiler, chin front spoiler with RS3100 printed back to front (very fab), quad lights, twin black bumperettes, vented front discs, flared front guards and more. I get so many offers on this thing, but it's not for sale.
8. Ford Capri V8 'Perana'
South Africans like their cars fast. Basil Green was the Springbok equivalent of Peter Brock HDT, shoehorning 5 litre V8s into cars originally designed for a 4 cylinder. Green modified the front firewall and steering to have the engine sitting back and low to assist handling and steering, and the result is a very nice, quick, great handling car. You could have auto or manual, and a choice of 5 snappy colours. 500 were built, all numbered and featuring the 'BG' prefix. Many are being imported into Australia, but I decided to build my own.
My car is an original 1970 V6 in True Blue which currently sports a 250 hp 289 Windsor V8, C4 auto, XY shaker, 15" Superlite wheels and more. It was actually the first car in my collection, being purchased way back in 1997. The car had sat untouched in a shed since 1980, had been converted to V8 in the 1970s and was in rust free, rip free, time warp condition. It's the best Capri body I have ever seen. One day I'll even finish it!
9. Ford Sierra RS Cosworth BBR
Back in 1986 Ford unleashed onto an unsuspecting public a car which so dominated motorsport worldwide for so long it has no equal. The Sierra RS Cosworth and RS500 featured a humble 2 litre fourpot block attached to a stunning 16 valve head, T03 turbocharger, fuel injection, T5 box, LSD, variable rate power steering, 15" alloys, massive rear wing, full body kit, 127HP, just magic. Anyone who was anyone raced the things - Moffat, Brock, Johnson, Richards, Seton, Longhurst, Perkins, Carter, Grice.
Meanwhile, the original owner of my Moostone Blue meanie took delivery in late 1986, waltzed into his local tuning shop with a blank cheque, and uttered 3 simple words - "Make it go". Brodie Britain Racing weaved their magic on the heads, turbo, injectors, cams, filters, exhaust and other secrets no one knows to wring out more than double the original figure - try 280+ HP. A succession of enthusiast owners got their money's worth, and one of them moved to Australia(and brought the car with him). More Australian enthusiast owners followed, until one of them drove into a small tree, causing minor damage to the front left. I bought it from the subsequent owner (still damaged) in Melbourne on a business trip August last year. I'm still waiting for the repair bits to arrive. D'oh!
10. Valiant VG Pacer Hardtop Automatic
In the late 60s early 70s it was considered a bit effeminate to drive a muscle car fitted with an auto trannie. So very few were built. The VG Pacer was the only model offered in a hardtop (much rarer than the sedan) AND an auto (much rarer than a manual) Production numbers aren't known, but are believed to be in the double figures. All Pacers, except a handful of late VHs ran a 3 speed 'dog leg' floor shift manual box with no lockout in reverse (where first is located in a 4 speed box), so the auto Pacer saved owners the embarrassment of reversing into cars idling behind them when taking off at traffic lights.
11. Valiant VH Pacer 'E49'
In 1971, VH Pacers were officially the fastest 6 cylinder 4 door cars in the country, not relinquishing the title until the VN Commodore of 1988. Officially, VH Pacers ran a mild 265 Hemi 6 with 2 barrel Carter carby, the same as a base model R/T Charger, but 2 were ordered from the factory with the full 6 Pack gear. This is not one of the 2. Previous owner "Max" is a Chrysler nut from way back, and heard that his friendly Chrysler dealer down the road was keen to unload a D360 prefix 6 cylinder Hemi. For those in the know D360 is a factory replacement motor used for both E38 and E49 Chargers (D363 is the E38 OEM engine code, D364 is the E49 OEM code) and features all the trick bits of the original. Max fitted the correct carbies, manifold, extractors, linkages and air cleaners, and proper E49 4 speed box, and this thing eats VN Commodores for breakfast!
12. Hillman Hustler R/T 4 Pack
Chrysler wanted to celebrate the surprising win of Andrew Cowan's Hillman Hunter in the 1968 Sydney to London marathon. It also wanted a competitive small car to run at Bathurst. It achieved the first objective with the Hustler, but wanted more. So, as the boys from R&D were developing the 6 Pack Chargers, it was suggested a 'scaled down' version might be the order of the day. The Hillman Hustler R/T 4 Pack was born. It ran the alloy head 1760cc GT Hunter motor, but with twin 40 DCOE Webers, stainless extractors, 5 stud 14" alloy mags, bigger front brakes, B/W LSD, straight through exhaust, R/T bonnet scoop, GT dash, sports wheel, optional Hella driving lights, copious blackouts and special striping/badgework.
Then the Supercar Scare stuff hit the fan and Chrysler scrapped the whole project, along with the proposed Charger R/T V8. Bugger! So, of course, my car is a replica, and a damned fine one at that. 15" Simmons and 50 profile tyres were not offered in 1972, but it's an improvement. It's actually been run in hill climbs, and I'm told is quite competitive.
12. Valiant VJ Charger R/T V8
It was time for Chrysler to get serious about building a Bathurst winner. 340 cube V8 ''Six Pack" 'Cudas and Challengers were blitzkreiging everything Stateside, and Chrysler Australia wanted a piece of the action. They also knew Ford and GMH had a few tricks up their sleeve and weren't going to cop another hiding. So they imported about 350 crate motors, plus A833 4 speeds and special Detroit locker type differentials, dropped the whole shooting match into a VG Pacer sedan, got the Geoghegans brothers to fang around in a shortened VG 'mule' ute, and called the whole exercise 'R&D'. Apparently the 340 went like stink but couldn't corner or brake, so it was time to fiddle some more.
The Supercar Scare hit the fan and Chrysler denied the existence of the hot rod V8 R/T Charger, choosing instead to fit all of the 340 V8s into their luxury spec "SE" E55 Chargers, all based on the upmarket 770 model, tied to an auto tranny and vacuum cleaner exhaust pipe. 335 were sold in VH and VJ form. Chrysler officials still deny the R/T V8s ever were proposed, but we know better. This car resembles what my sources say would be the finished product, based on a middle spec XL VJ Charger.
13. Holden Torana GTR XU-2 V8
The GTR XU-1 was a very competitive little car with its screaming six and triple Strombergs sucking air. But down Conrod Straight it had no chance against the mighty GTHOs. The solution? Cubic inches. All 308 of them. The GTR XU-2 (or GTR XU-1 V8, depending on who you listen to) was an absolute weapon, and with very minor modifications and its proposed twin 17 gallon tanks with rear fuel fillers on both guards would've been a serious Bathurst contender.
Then that bloody Evan Green story hit the headlines and that was the end of it. Holden reverted back to the 6 cylinders until the release of the LH in 1974. My car is the only XU-2 that wasn't destroyed (I wish) - actually it's a fake, but it does have the big V8, M21 box, LH Torana V8 diff and radiator, extractors, big exhaust, twin fuel fillers, Sprintmaster mags, and full XU-1 equipment. And yes, it is rather quick.
14. Ford Falcon GTHO Phase 4 (OK, replica)
Everyone knows the story of the aborted Phase 4 GTHO XAs. There has never been a more controversial car in Australia (just ask the blokes that own them). I'm not going to weigh into that debate, but I think my XA GT is rather special. It's a March 1972 early build car with the correct 15" Bathurst Globes, 4 wheel disc brakes, modified Phase 3 fuel tank, no options from the factory, and looking magic in Wild Violet with white trim. The motor is a bit of a mystery, but it ain't standard. In fact, it's very hard to drive in top gear around town, which is part of the charm. Beautiful. Not for sale!
15. Chrysler Centura 4.0 R/T
Determined to have one last crack at the muscle car market, Chrysler developed an Australia-only 6 cylinder Centura, complete with 3.5 or 4.0 litres. The GLX was a kind of luxury sports model with optional 4 speed, vinyl roof, sports instruments, and cloth seats, but Chrysler went one step further with the R/T, reviving the famous Charger plate of the early 70s. A second retro move saw the fitment of a four barrel Carter carby (a la E34 Pacer) and revised intake manifold, extractors, performance exhaust, 14" alloys, a couple of new lairy colours, and special striping. Few were sold, and Chrysler focused the youth market on Drifter panel vans and GLX Valiants instead.
They didn't sell very well either.
16. XE Fairmont Ghia 5.8 ESP 4 bolt mains
In 1982 Ford killed off the V8 from its passenger car range (and immediately regreted it). The ESP was the only car you could order with 5.8 litres of motorvation, but my car was built after the biggest V8 motors had run out. The original owner (that's the guy I bought this off) had to wait several months before the car could be completed. Ford imported a couple of hundred 4 bolt mains blocks for Nascar racing, because it was found that these would rev higher and be stronger than the standard units. It is understood that these units were not intended for passenger car use, but a number of them did find their way into selected late XDs and XEs. No special numbering was used, and the original owner only discovered the motor was a 4 bolt when he removed it from the car for a quick freshen up!
17. EA Fairmont Ghia Brock B8 'SE' / NA Fairlane Brock B8
Brock and GMH have just endured a very bitter and public spit, based on a mysterious little device called the 'energy polariser'. Brock Cars has called it quits after only 3 months of predelivering Lada pussbuckets. It's mid to late 1988 and Brockie's looking for a new gig. Meanwhile Ford is looking for tenders to have aftermarket suppliers doing for Falcon what HSV has been doing for Holden. Brock gets the job. Soon 127 EA Falcon S Packs, 18 Fairlanes, 10 Fairmont Ghias, the odd Falcon wagon, a Falcon ute (the famous Shannon's promotional unit), even a Telstar and Maverick 4WD or two get the master's touch. Typical mods included unique Brock designed 16" alloys, lowered Bilstein suspension, Genie extractors and twin cat exhausts, modified Recaro style seats, Sportline leather wheels, full body kits, colour coding and special Brock badging/decals. Power was up around 25%, and it was a tidy package....
It's a shame no one bought them. They were expensive. You could build the same car for less. But most of all, people couldn't relate to Brock as a Ford builder. Production ceased mid 1990, Holden and Brock kissed and made up, and that was that.
18. EA Falcon 'SVO' by Mick Webb
The other bloke tendering for Ford's performance gig was Mick Webb. Long term Allan Moffat mechanic, Mick knew a trick or two about getting Fords to go. In 1989 he took a brand new EA Falcon S Pack 5 speed, added a T04 turbo, fiddled with the injectors, added a performance extractor/exhaust system, then took on all comers in a Performance Street Car Magazine organised muscle car shootout to determine the fastest Aussie muscle car of all time. Contenders included a Phase 3 GTHO, 350 HT Monaro, VL Group A Walkinshaw Commodore, XA GT RPO83, VK Group A, E55 and E49 Chargers, and a brand new SV89 Commodore. Over the quarter mile he wiped the floor with every single one of them, posting a 14.1 second pass.
Which is all very well and good, except my vehicle is not a turbo EA S Pack. It's a naturally aspirated EA auto Fairmont (which all of the above vehicles will very easily beat over a quarter mile). SVO goodies include neat 16" colour coded alloys, grille, subtle front spoiler, shadow grey paint, extractors and sports exhaust, and discrete badging. Special steering wheels and seats are available, but mine missed out.
19. Ford Falcon GT BA #191
So, Aussie car manufacturers don't make any one-off cars any more, eh? Don't believe it! You probably already know I'm the proud owner of EB and EL GT #191, both purchased second hand. Determined to make sure that lightning would indeed strike three times in the same place, I ordered a new BA GT at the 2002 Brisbane Motor Show in February. The only problem was that BA Falcons didn't exist at that time, and no one knew for sure if the GT was going to be reintroduced... except my mate Mark who at the time had a mole inside Ford. All of the dealers at the show stand were putting on the dumb act, then I pulled out my cheque book and offered them some money. I purchased a car which did not exist, I didn't know if it was going to be made, or when, or how much it would cost, or anything, except (and I made the dealer, Wayne Bennett of Southside Ford write this on the order form) it HAD to be build #191 and a manual, with my chosen colour and trim and options.
The way it works is you pick a build number, you get whatever colour and options come with that. Or, you pick your colour and options, you get whatever build number comes with that. Not both. Well, Wayne pushed the deal through (I owe him a beer), the 191 tag had to be taken off the FPV production line and the car built around it. It totally messed up their production schedule and nearly lost a couple of people their jobs, but I got number 191, in Blueprint, with leather, 6 stack premium CD, stripes and floor mats, just like I ordered it. And it's a magic car.
20. Holden HG Monaro GTS 350 Coupe "Command Performer"
If you have a collection of old 1970 Wheels and Motor Manual motoring magazine, turn to the rear outside cover. There you'll probably find the right rear 3/4 shot of an HG Monaro GTS fanging around the Lang Lang banked test track, under the heading "Command Performer". The car was a Lakeside Green with Sandalwood (off white) trim and Powerglide auto, identical to mine. No, it's not my actual car, (although Holden made 6 such cars (Monaro GTS colours featured the names of popular race tracks, ie Indy Orange, Brooklands Blue, Monaco Maroon, Sebring Orange etc) in this combination, mine being the only one manufactured and sold in Adelaide! I purchased the car from the 4th owner in the Barossa Valley in 2000, and the car still had its original plates and log books. It is also rare to find an auto with a big tank.
21. Holden HQ Monaro GTS 350 Coupe "Purr-Pull"
You wonder what styling departments of the 70s were on, don't you? Don't you just love it! Someone actually thought a lurid pink/purple colour that looks like something Jimi Hendrix threw up after a bad acid trip, with 20 metre wide white stripes would be quite the fashion statement. Compared to the clothes and home furnishings of the day, it probably was!
It's official: this is the only Purr-Pull white stripe HQ GTS 350 Coupe ever made, especially ordered by a (colourblind) fisherman in Wollongong. He drove to the boat ramp, he fished, he drove home again. He drove a paltry little 45,000km. He died, leaving the world a better place for muscle car nuts to appreciate weird coloured Monaros.
22. Ford Anglia 105 E 'GT'
Okay, there's no such thing as an Anglia GT, but if there was, this thing would be pretty close. Anglias were an extremely common sight in the 70s, and a large number were modified to save owners the embarrassment of being dragged off at traffic lights by skateboarders, BMXers and lately motorised wheelchairs. This car too has succumbed to an engine transplant, in the form of an Escort OHC 2 litre. The same selfless Escort donated its auto transmission, front and rear suspension, brakes & diff. The original quaint strip speedo has been replaced by a neat 6 clock Escort Twin Cam unit. 7" Cortina widies and caps are fitted with deep dress rims. Very 70s retro cool.
Crap Detector Activated. BS Alert!
So you think you know your muscle cars?! Think again. Test your knowledge. I confess. I was having a lend of you - 2 of these 22 stories are pure BS. Email us and tell us which two, and if your answer is correct you go in the draw to win a 2 for 1 AMCM entry pass. Winners drawn monthly and notified via return email. Good luck!