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.