CORNER STORIES

Did you know in the '80s Holden made a two-door, turbocharged hatch with ( kinda ) pop-up headlights? Yep, well, sort of. These cars are actually made by Isuzu but were badged as Holdens over here.   Side note: It was way cooler when cars had decals bragging about turbos and intercoolers.  I really vibe with the original alloys as well...   Okay, formalities done, time for turbo-autism analysis. The big question I had looking at this car is " who drives it?". I see two options, both are based on the number plate. The Koala plates only came out around mid '23, and I am yet to see a KLD  one, so this got put on pretty recently. So, the options: 1: The car was bought interstate, and upon needing new plates the owner chose to get the koala plates. In this case the owner is likely an enthusiast since they bought the car interstate. 2: The car is an SA car, and the elderly owner, a koala-lover, decided to show their support for the relevant charity and go with the koala...

Despite the name this isn't a bit on old merc's running on fish & chips oil from a deep frier...  As cool as alt fuel cars are Vegantune is much cooler I promise.  I first learnt of  Vegantune a few years back after a meeting at my local car club. A chat with the owner of a lovely  Ford Escort , would involve educating me on the performance differences of a Lotus twin cam versus a worked pinto. As expected twin cam is best, and there are many famous engine builders whose names when next to the motor makes it worth much more. One of which rattled off was the Vegantune VTA motor. An ideal engine made for the Vegantune Evante (& some other cars). This image - sourced from Classic & Sports Car magazine would be my second step into the world of Vegantune . A split second magazine purchase before a flight to Darwin would give me a proper history lesson on the Evante and Vegantune . Rather then rehash their write up I'll just quickly explain the Evan...

VS SS big-boppa five-litre. Era accurate festival state v-plates indicate it rolled out Elizabeth and onto SA roads. Incredible that the social currency that came with owning a V8 lasted as long as it did in Australia. Can't lie, I would like to own a V8 - just not in a VS. I've stated it before, but the graphic design team at Holden was one of the brands greatest strengths. On a different note the social currency once gained from owning an electric car didn't really last the warranty period. I remember alot more enviro-flexing when people started getting themselves in to EV's.    Maybe old is gold? And if it is I know just how to soundtrack this car; destined for a one2 cruise down Rundle street, all seats filled with asynchronously movin arms&headz - all while Menace II Society by Mall Grab pumps n rattles Holden plastic.    Itsa Commodore , they do Commodore things.    

When it comes to a wild horse the Brumby is the correct answer, but that doesn't stop the US from doing it their way. Of course seeing it done the American way tis bigger, because bigger equals bigger? ( sorry, comparing it against a Brumby was unfair on the Bronco )  Brother you best buckle up when the Bronco runs big horns, yeehaw. Thumbs up for chrome trim, but thumbs down for no bench seat. The wood grain and rear seat is a swing away from Brumby supremacy though. It's also interesting how the centre console/arm rest has a lock. Bita common ground with its ( completely chosen by me ) natural competition, the Subaru Brumby . In fact the Brumby outshines the Bronco when it comes to being rusty. But final credit to the Bronco - it has suspension for its tow bar??       

Apricot dard - grandma spec and doin a shop at the local. Bad photos sorry. Funny how cultural currency works, this is nowhere near as exciting as seeing a VL Commodore ( mainly because standard road goers don't exist ). Credit to the owner for looking after it, the colour isn't for me but that doesn't stop me appreciating its all original condition. Still unsure about the safety of no left mirror. Since the weather has become wet again the U-plate survivors have become increasingly difficult to catch. Won’t stop me though.   **EDITORS NOTE**   After thinking about why these don't really appeal to me that much and knuckling down on if I did have one how would I spec it I arrived here;     My dream spec R31 - RB30+T on interceptor steelies, pov-bumpers and a massive front mount intercooler. Sometimes simple is best.

Other than the occasional grid appearance in Gran Turismo 4 the Mitsubishi FTO hasn't successfully steered my attention in its direction until now. And after a little research I'm glad it did - even if I find them ugly. This one in particular, whilst still no looker hides its awkward body lines with black paint. As prefaced I knew nothing about these other than the front wheel drive layout which turns out has a 'front mid-engined' V6 some even equipped with MIVEC . I'm pretty chimp-spec so just in case you're like me here is a diagram of 'front mid-engine' layout; Anyway, I do have some experience with MIVEC motors, having driven the absolute drivers car that is the Mitsubishi Grandis for a small partition of my p-plates. Apologies, getting distracted. But final remark, the Grandis is a great car that deserves its own post/review at some point. Back to the FTO... I couldn't find the stats but the FTO never really got the Australian delivered tre...