Innholdsfortegnelse for #253 17-08 i Just Cars

In February, Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) announced their range for 2017, which will be the final products to be based on the Australian-made ‘Zeta’ platform Commodore sedan and utility. While HSV will survive beyond the closure of Holden’s Australian vehicle manufacturing operations later this year, the MY17 range is the last opportunity for enthusiasts to grab a piece of Australian-made HSV history. This year’s range is spread across two fields: a “30 Years” anniversary collection of five models; and the “GTSR” range of three exclusive high-performance vehicles. The 30 Years lineup, production of which is already underway, consists of the Clubsport R8 LSA sedan, Clubsport R8 Tourer LSA (wagon), Maloo R8 LSA ute, Senator Signature sedan and GTS sedan. The GTSR range, which revives the nameplate used on the limited-edition…

Meet the Mazda MX-5 RF, or Retractable Fastback… this is the MX-5 variant, says Mazda, that will open-up (apologies) the model to a new audience. An audience, it believes, that will make up around 60% of MX-5 buyers going forward. The MX-5 RF is, ostensibly, almost identical to the soft-top MX-5 and weighs just 47-49kg compared with an equivalent soft-top MX-5. And that’s impressive given the hard top consists of a proper hard roof and glass rear windscreen and some sort of magical opening and closing mechanism that splits the roof into four sections and then stows them all together (dropping the rear window glass) behind the seats. Yes, the roof ends up being stowed (hidden from view) in a tiny little space behind the seats, leaving the regular MX-5’s…

The RF (Retractable Fastback) version of Mazda’s MX-5 roadster has arrived in Australia, offered in both standard RF and RF GT variants. Defining the RF - and separating it from the normal MX-5 soft-top convertible – is its fastback styling, with flying buttress rear pillars that form part of the four-piece electrically-folding hard roof. The roof itself, including the glass rear window, opens or closes in 13 seconds, and can be done at speeds up to 10km/h. With the roof down, the MX-5 RF has the look of a targa, rather than a true convertible, but the roof mechanism is compact, only taking three more litres of boot space compared to the regular convertible. Both the RF and RF GT variants are powered by Mazda’s SKYACTIV-G 2.0-litre petrol engine, which…

This past January, Bonhams’ annual Scottsdale auction had something of an Aussie flavour when an English car with a long history in this country was the top seller. The car in question was a 1963 Jaguar E-Type “Lightweight”, one of twelve dedicated competition versions of the E-Type created by Jaguar for circuit competition. The Australian connection comes from the fact that the first owner was Bob Jane, who ordered the car in mid-1963 specifically for racing at circuits like Lakeside, Bathurst, Calder, Catalina Park and Sandown. Delivered to Jane in late-1963, Lightweight E-Type #10 arrived with several factory-fitted competition modifications, from the all-alloy 3.8lt six-cylinder engine to the transmission, chassis, suspension, brakes, wheels and even the pedals. Jane won in his first race in the new Jaguar – the Australian…

It’s a horrible feeling when your car won’t start, but those of us who own older cars will likely be used to it, especially when it’s really hot, or really cold. But there are a few simple things you can easily do yourself to check what the issue might be and fix it. So, the basics, remembering that there’s no stupid question... Is there fuel in the car? Is the automatic transmission in park? Do you need your foot on the brake before the car will start? Is the clutch depressed if it’s a manual? Okay, with that out of the way, next diagnose if it’s an electrical fault or fuel problem. Most problems come back to the electrics, and if the car isn’t turning over or is turning over…

The first two generations of the Mazda MX-5 delivered simple, fun and affordable open-top motoring to the masses. The third-generation was too porky and powerful to match its enthusiasm on the road and, for a moment, it looked as though the first two generations would be in high demand. But, thankfully, the fourth-generation MX-5 reverted back to the original formula. And that leaves the used car market in a good place: the second generation MX-5, which had improved nearly everything on the first generation, is as cheap as chips. Possibly as cheap as it will ever get. The MX-5 is often compared to older British roadsters, but unlike them it’s newer and more comfortable, and the engine is commonly referred to as bulletproof. As a driver’s car, the MX-5 excels,…

On the third anniversary of the sinkhole that opened up in the National Corvette Museum (NCM) and swallowed eight Corvettes, the NCM announced that restoration has begun on a 1962 Corvette convertible that was one of the victims of the event. When the 13.7 metre wide, 18.2 metre long and 9 metre deep sinkhole opened up in the NCM’s Skydome display on 12 February, 2014, the 1962 Tuxedo Black Corvette was one of the more lightly damaged cars, so the restoration should be relatively straightforward, but NCM representative Daniel Decker said that almost a year’s work will be required to bring the ’62 back to its original glory. The cost, estimated at US$25,000, is being covered by General Motors as part of a broader US$250,000 commitment to the NCM’s recovery…

Marking 50 years since the first Shelby-badged “Super Snake” Mustang was produced, Shelby American has announced a special ‘50th Anniversary Shelby Super Snake’, with the birthday special officially unveiled at Barrett-Jackson’s Scottsdale auction in January. Limited to just 500 units worldwide, the 50th Anniversary Shelby Super Snake features a supercharged version of the 5.0-litre V8 found in the Mustang GT, outputting 670hp (500kW ), with optional supercharger treatment increasing this to over 750hp (560+kW ). Created in collaboration with Ford Performance, the anniversary edition delivers supercar-like performance, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 3.5 seconds, quarter mile time of 10.9 seconds and up to 1.2g on the skid pan. Ford Performance also worked with Shelby American to sharpen the handling of the new Mustang’s fully-independent rear suspension, while collaborations with…

How did you treat your nearest and dearest this past Valentine’s Day? Chocolates or flowers? Maybe dinner or a bottle of something expensive? We’re tipping not many of you lashed out on a car for your love, and none of you spent the kind of money the original owner of this vehicle did in creating a special gift for his partner. SPECIAL GIFT The car you’re looking at has been dubbed “The Phantom of Love” as it was commissioned in 1926 by Clarence Gasque as a gesture of affection for his wife, Maude. Gasque, an American by birth, was in London working as the Financial Director for the British arm of the FW Woolworths department store chain (back when it was still a department store and not a supermarket). His…