Innholdsfortegnelse for #284 20-01 i Just Cars

At last year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, Brabham stole the spotlight with the dynamic reveal of the BT62 on the event’s world-famous hillclimb course. At this year’s Festival, it was the turn of De Tomaso to make a similar impact, announcing the nameplate’s return - 60 years after it was founded - and unveiling a ‘P72’ prototype that will be produced as a special limited edition. NEW HONG KONG HEART Best known for their Ford-engined Pantera, DeTomaso was founded by Alejandro De Tomaso in 1959. Starting out building competition sports cars, De Tomaso’s first road car was the Vallelunga in 1963. That was followed by the Mangusta (1966), Deauville (1971), Pantera (1971 - and in production until 1993) and Longchamp (1972). More than just a carmaker, De Tomaso was involved…

Lee Iacocca, one of the most significant figures in the post-War American auto industry, has died. Aged 94, Iacocca passed on 2 July following complications from Parkinson’s Disease. Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania on 15 October, 1924, Lido Anthony ‘Lee’ Iacocca declared as a youngster that that he wanted to work for Ford, so studied as an engineer, achieving a master’s degree in engineering in 1946. SIDESTEP AT FORD After joining Ford Motor Company’s engineering department at Dearborn in August, 1946, and completing the standard in-house training course in half the usual 18-month period, the 22-year-old requested a move from engineering to sales. When this was denied, Iacocca left Michigan and returned to Pennsylvania, but remained with Ford as a regional sales manager. Iacocca came to Dearborn’s attention again in 1956,…

The enduring popularity of the 1977 feature film Smokey and the Bandit was in evidence this past June when original and reproduction memorabilia from the film, as well as Bandit items owned and connected to Burt Reynolds, went to auction. Conducted by specialty Hollywood memorabilia auctioneers, Julien’s Auctions, the ‘Property from the Estate of Burt Reynolds’ sale was held over two days and featured hundreds of items. While Reynolds, who passed away last September, had a long career both before and after Smokey and the Bandit, the fun and dumb chase film remains one of his most popular roles. As such, the Bandit-related items were expected to sell well ahead of the 15-16 June auction. Leading the way was a 1979 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am in signature Bandit black and…

We all know that time spent driving, working on and restoring a classic car, or even wandering around a car show can be great therapy and bring some sunshine into your day. But what about when you’re too old to get behind the wheel, under the car or out to an event? Retirement home residents may no longer be allowed to drive and it may be too inconvenient to get out to car shows, so one enterprising car club decided to bring the car show to the retirement home. JUST FOR BILL On Father’s Day last year, the Sydney-based Old Motoring Club brought a small group of their cars to Bupa Aged Care in Bankstown, ostensibly to honour resident and club founder, Bill Prigg, but also to rekindle memories and…

When the Mustang Owners Club of Australia (MOCA) hosts an event, you know it’s going to be big. Earlier this year. The Victorian MOCA branch were the host club for the 2019 Mustang Nationals. And yes, it was big! HEART OF THE CITY With 2019 marking the 55th Anniversary of the release of the Ford Mustang, there was already reason to celebrate, while the popularity of the Gen 6 Mustang (including the establishment of dedicated Gen 6 Owners’ Clubs) has ensured Mustang events continue to grow. The Nationals is something different, though, and the prestige of the event, and particularly its concours, amongst the Mustang community means it draws Mustang owners from all over the country. When MOCA Victoria’s organising committee for this year’s Nationals were deliberating on a venue…

PonyWorx is a new player in the Mustang aftermarket scene, but with a long history in the automotive industry. More than a dozen builds have rolled out of PonyWorx’s Tullamarine base so far, all based on the current generation Mustang. Each PonyWorx project is built to order, but common themes across the builds to date include lowered suspension, big rims, aftermarket bodykits, custom paint detailing and individual lighting treatments. The ‘IAMHLK’ Mustang that’s been visible around the Melbourne car scene for a while is defined by its ‘Hulk Green’ detailing on elements like the galloping horse emblem, rear GT badge, brake calipers and engine cover. A louvred bonnet, rear window louvres, faux rear quarter scoops and a full lower bodykit add extra brawn to this ground-hugging creation. A more subtle…

Holden commissioned the GTR-X–coded RD-2 within GM-H–back in early 1969 and intentionally based it on the popular LC Torana running gear with suitable modifications. RD-1 was the exotic Hurricane show car that was never intended for production but the folks at Holden had higher hopes for the GTR-X. Its styling was largely the work of one man, Don DaHarsh, an American who was on secondment to Holden. His intention was to develop a startling wedge-shaped body that would show excellent aerodynamic abilities. To achieve this the square headlights were hidden and hinged to pop up when needed, there was an air scoop below the vestigial chromed bumper for engine cooling and the smooth flowing roofline hid a lift-up hatch, a first for Holden, that allowed access to a carpeted luggage…

Holden’s latest aftersales promotion will see a V2 Monaro restored, customised and personalised, with the chance to win the car once it’s completed. The Monaro, a 2004-model CV8 with a 5.7 V8, auto trans and over 200,000kms on the clock, will be restored and upgraded using Holden Genuine, AC Delco and Chevrolet Performance Parts. Ambassador for the project is Holden racing legend, Craig Lowndes. The three-time V8 Supercars series champion and seven-time Bathurst 1000 winner will present a series of mini-documentaries on the build. From the initial concept, to body, interior and mechanical restoration, Lowndes will take enthusiasts behind the scenes as Project Monaro takes shape and will be behind the wheel to test the coupe at Holden’s Lang Lang Proving Ground once it’s completed. “Like many Australians. I grew…

After a successful debut in 2018 (see JUST CARS #274), Targa Great Barrier Reef (Targa GBR) is looking like it’ll be bigger and better in its second year. As of early July, entries for the North Queensland tarmac rally were up by 40 per cent, making Targa GBR the the second largest tarmac rally in the world. Everything from an HR Holden to a Nissan GT-R R35 has been entered to date, with more to come. Porsches, Lotuses, Mitsubishis and Subarus dominate the modern class entries so far, with Escorts, Datsuns, Toranas and more featuring in the classic categories. Scheduled for 30 August to 1 September, the 2019 Targa GBR will revisit familiar territory from the debut year, kicking off with a ceremonial start at the entrance of The Reef…

Bonhams’ annual Goodwood Festival of Speed sale on 5 July was another success for the auction house, with new records set and several lots exceeding their estimates. Leading the way was a Williams-Renault FW14B Formula 1 racer, but not just any racer: this FW14B was a multiple race winner in 1992, with all the victories achieved by Nigel Mansell in his F1 World Driver’s Championship-winning year. Designed by Adrian Newey, the FW14B was one of F1’s most advanced cars. Powered by Renault’s RS3 3.5-litre V10 engine putting out around 760hp (566kW), the FW14B featured a 6-speed semi-automatic transmission, ridelevelling active suspension and cutting-edge (for 1992) aerodynamics. This particular car, FW14B-08 (also known as ‘Red Five’ after Mansell’s racing number), first saw track time in the 1992 pre-season tests and would…

As a major sponsor of the Mustang Nationals, Mustang Motorsport took pride of place amongst the trade displays at Birrarung Marr. The current stock on show included Roush Mustangs of various configurations (including the supercharged 710hp ‘JackHammer’), a Shelby 50th Anniversary Super Snake and Mustang Motorsport’s own R727 which combines Roush supercharger and exhaust components with locally-developed suspension parts, a retrimmed interior and other unique touches. The ‘new kid’ in this group was the Steeda Steve McQueen Edition Bullitt Mustang. Announced last year, Steeda’s McQueen package takes the limited-edition Bullitt Mustang as a base and adds 27 individual upgrades. The result is more power, a lowered ride height, special wheels and high-performance Nitto tyres, plus identifying badging, amongst other touches. Production of the Steve McQueen Edition is limited to only…

Entries are rolling in for the second of two JUST CARS 50 km Cups this year – the feature event of the Winton Festival of Speed on August 3 & 4. This meeting comes two weeks after the Sandown HTCAV state round JUST CARS 50 km Cup, which you’ll read about next issue. With entries yet to close at press time, the field looks fat, with major muscle at the top end and plenty of action to look forward to, right down the classes. West Australia’s Aldo de Paoli in his yellow Camaro, whose fullbore drifts on to the main straight at Phillip Island earlier this year had fans on their feet, heads a star-studded line-up. Current HTCAV Club Champ Darryl Hansen in the ’68 Mustang is in. Dean Neville,…

Ahead of its release to the North American market later this year, Ford made a wonderfully succinct announcement on the performance figures for the 2020 Shelby GT500. The all-new Shelby GT500 will produce maximum power of 566kW (760hp) and max torque of 847kW (625 lb/ft). Those figures make it the most powerful street-legal Ford ever – with the most power- and torquedense supercharged production V8 engine in the world. Ford signed off this announcement with a simple ‘Enough Said’! As previously reported in JUST CARS (issue #278), the 2020 Shelby GT500 made its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this past January. While Shelbys have always been quick in a straight line, what sets the upcoming GT500 apart from its predecessors is that it’s also versatile,…

McLaren chose the world-famous Great Ocean Road in Victoria to launch the 600LT (Longtail) Spider in Australia this past June. The open-top companion to the 600LT Coupe (McLaren’s fourth model to bear the Longtail name), the new Spider is said to continue McLaren’s Longtail philosophy of increased power, reduced weight, optimised aerodynamics, track-focused dynamics and limited availability. Exactly how “limited” local availability is has not been revealed, but Rob Pritchard, Head of Asia Pacific, McLaren Automotive, said orders were swiftly approaching production capacity. “The 600LT Spider carries the Longtail story on to its fifth chapter,” Pritchard explained. “Born from the legendary F1 bloodline, the 600LT lives and breathes the spirit of its predecessors, the F1 Longtail and 675LT, and the Spider is no exception. “The response to both the 600LT…

Paul Stokell has added another win to his long resume of motorsport success with outright victory in this year’s Targa Tasmania. Despite a long list of circuit racing achievements, including three Australian Drivers’ Champion awards, two Nations Cup titles and victory in last year’s CAMS Australian Targa Championship, an outright win in Targa Tasmania had eluded Stokell… until now. Fourth outright last year behind the wheel of a 2014 Lotus Exige S with Erin Kelly navigating, the 51-year-old Tasmanian-born Queensland resident also finished fourth in 2017. After past Targa Tasmanias have been won by the likes of a Lamborghini Gallardo, Porsche 911, Nissan GT-R and Dodge Viper ACR, the Lotus has come to the fore recently, threatening the established brands with a 2-3 finish at last year’s inaugural Targa Great…

We all know the Falcon was born in the USA and enjoyed a long life in Australia, but what about some of its cousins? Here in Australia, we initially followed US practise by offering a Futura version and added a Fairmont later, while later still, Fairlanes would be built off modified versions of the same platform. In the US, the Falcon had far fewer relations. The Mustang was the sportier, sexier member of the family, but of all those siblings, one had a European birth… SHOW AND BO Since its debut in 1959, the Falcon – a compact in US terms - had been known as an economical car, but not a particularly exciting one. That made no difference initially, as the Falcon comfortably outsold its rivals, but by 1962,…

It’s hard to know where to start with this custom Mustang created by Trevor Parkes of Parkes Body Works P/L in Oakleigh, but suffice to say there’s a LOT going on. So much, in fact, that’ll we’ll devote more space to it in a future issue. What we can say is that countless hours of work went into it and there are parts from a wide variety of makes and models in the build – everything from a VW to a Hyundai – and a bunch of aftermarket and bespoke parts, too. Amongst the subtler modifications are widened rear guards that are perfectly integrated into the rest of the sheetmetal, including the tail light panel and rear spoiler that were both lengthened to suit. If you’re wondering about the title…

GOT A HOT NEW PRODUCT FOR JUST CARS READERS? SEND DETAILS, ALONG WITH A SELECTION OF GOOD QUALITY, HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS, TO: EDITORIAL@JUSTAUTO.COM.AU AND PUT ‘JUST CARS WHAT’S HOT’ IN THE SUBJECT LINE. HARD-COPY PHOTOS AND PRODUCT DETAILS CAN BE POSTED TO: ‘JUST CARS WHAT’S HOT’, LOCKED BAG 34, GEELONG, VIC, 3220. NOTE: PROVIDED INFORMATION MUST INCLUDE RETAIL PRICE, AVAILABILITY/PURCHASE DETAILS, SIZING (WHERE RELEVANT), VEHICLE MAKE/MODEL SUITABILITY (WHERE RELEVANT) AND COMPANY CONTACT DETAILS (FULL BUSINESS NAME, CONTACT PHONE, EMAIL AND WEB ADDRESS). SUBMISSION OF PRODUCT DETAILS DOES NOT GUARANTEE PUBLICATION. 1 MINI SCRAPBOOK Porter Press porterpress.co.uk Rather than a long, dry retelling of Mini history, author Martin Port breaks down the 60-year story of this iconic car into ten bite-sized chunks for this book, so it’s easy to dip into…