Innholdsfortegnelse for #293 20-10 i Just Cars

Seventy years after the first Morgan Plus 4 was released, Morgan Motor Company have released an all-new version…the Plus Four. While it may look identical to the old Plus 4, the new Plus Four is different in almost every way. For starters, there’s the new naming standard – that uses “Four” instead of “4” – a new engine, new chassis, fully-independent suspension and improved interior space. Morgan are describing the Plus Four as all-new, claiming it shares only 3 per cent of its components with the discontinued Plus 4. New standard features, previously optional or unavailable on a Plus 4, include LED lighting, power steering, ABS and remote central locking. “The all-new Morgan Plus Four represents the very best of the Morgan Motor Company,” said Morgan Chairman and CEO, Steve…

BMW announced in March that they’ll end production of their trailblazing i8 plugin hybrid sports car in April to focus on a new range of electric vehicles. The end for the i8 coupe and roadster comes after almost six years on the market and more than 20,000 sales, which BMW are claiming as a record for sports cars with electrified drive. At the time of the announcement, Australia had accounted for 155 of those sales. First revealed in concept form at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA), the i8 made its production debut at the same show four years later, presented alongside the fully-electric i3. The halo model for BMW’s new ‘i’ sub-brand, the i8 used a 1.5-litre three-cylinder ‘TwinPower’ turbo engine to drive the rear wheels and an electric…

After 30 years in operation, the Binalong Motor Museum in rural NSW will close this April. The unfortunate closure of this quirky and popular museum will be followed by an auction of the majority of its display vehicles, conducted by Donington Auctions. PURPOSE BUILT Founded in 1990 by Stuart Sanders, a retired surgeon, and John Fitzpatrick, a retired solicitor, the Binalong Motor Museum was born from a shared interest in vintage and classic cars and motorcycles. What made the museum unusual amongst its contemporaries was that it was purpose-built as a museum, with the floorplan also including a restoration workshop for Sanders and Fitzpatrick to work on their projects. Surrounded by well-kept grounds, the museum attracted its fair share of visitors over the years, from car clubs on club runs…

This is as good as a locally produced blue oval product gets in Australia. At least it is right now, some years since manufacturing of the Falcon stopped. And although you’re right in saying that this is a US-built sports coupe, it’s also a modified and ADR-approved Mustang development that gives Australians a wild, supercharged Stang like the Yank’s Shelby GT500 we can’t import. But rather than blend a GT moniker into the name, Ford’s local division pays homage to the Ford Performance Vehicles Falcon GT R-Spec, another bygone local hero. It’s only fitting, then, that the 500 Mustang R-Specs which will be produced also roll down the line at Ford’s Campbellfield assembly site where the Falcon was once bolted together. But enough about the old Ford sedan, this is…

Dubbed ‘ToyChev’, this was arguably the most unique vehicle on display this year. Created by Tony Hubbard and dedicated to his wife Gayl, who passed in 2019, this rod combines a modified Model A chassis with a heavily chopped and channelled body from an FJ40 LandCruiser. Working from front to back, ToyChev features front suspension from a ’35 Ford truck, Commodore disc brakes and Brembo calipers on Holden hubs. A Procomp radiator keeps the engine cool, which as you’ve probably guessed, is a 350 Chev, fitted with a Comp cam, Edelbrock manifold and 650cfm Holley. Procomp ignition and extractors have also been fitted, while the V8 is backed by a T700R transmission with a shift kit and servo fitted. The actual shifting is done with a stick from a VC Commodore,…

A pre-war Willys rod is nothing new, but what set this example apart from the rest was its stunning interior. Trimmed by Shannon Walters, red leather was used throughout, from the seats to the door cards, headliner, rear cabin trim and even the boot lining. With matching blood red carpets and against the Mercedes Silver of the exterior, it was a treatment that worked to striking effect. Proving it more than just looked good, the interior had comfort features, too, including electric windows, air con and heater Under the Outlaw body, this rod was running a Chev 502 Big Block crate engine, balanced and blueprinted to produce a matching 502 horses, expelling the gasses through a Jet Hot 3-inch exhaust and driving the fat 17x13 rear rubber through a T700R with…

Australian hot rod legend Rod Hadfield is trying to track down his first competition car and hopes the JUST CARS audience can help. Built in the early 1960s and known as ‘Baby Huey’, Hadfield’s debut drag racer featured the body of a 1950 Fiat Topolino supplied by Shepparton Auto Wreckers, hence their name on the car. The body sat on a custom chassis built from 3” x 2” square tube steel, with a roll cage made from water piping. A transverse leaf spring front end from a ’34 English Ford was modified to take C1960s Cortina wheels, while the rear featured Customline steel rims widened to 10 inches. The drivetrain for Baby Huey was made up of a 272/292 Ford Y-Block and three-speed gearbox, running to a Customline diff. Hadfield…

Vehicle enhancement specialists Tickford have started an official partnership with Roush Engineering to promote Roush Performance products in Australia. The partnership will see Tickford continue to offer Roush Performance products for Mustangs and F-150s through their existing ‘Tickford Enhancement Centre’ network around the country. Tickford will also work with Roush in the development of new products for Ford vehicles, including the Ranger, Everest, Mustang and F-150. With both companies devoted to Ford vehicles, the previous collaboration made sense, while the new, official partnership will strengthen that focus, according to Tickford Managing Director, Rod Nash. “We have always been impressed with the Roush Performance quality and design, having installed over 100 Roush Performance superchargers in Mustangs since their introduction to Australia in 2016, and we have enjoyed a close working relationship…

Bentley have relaunched their Mulliner division for bespoke builds, restorations and special projects with the release of a new, limited-edition coachbuilt model – the Bacalar. Taking its name from a lake on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, the Bacalar is a true roadster, with no convertible hood. While inspired by the EXP 100 GT concept, the Bacalar is based on the Continental GT. However, it shares no body panels with that production model, with the only carryover exterior features being the door handles. Distinctive exterior touches on that bespoke exterior include the front and rear light treatment and the sports-style humps behind the driver and passenger seat. Less obvious changes delivered with the Bacalar’s all-new panels – made from carbon fibre and aluminium - include a 20mm wider rear track. The wheels…

There can’t be many – if any – car shows in this country that have enjoyed the longevity of the Victorian Hot Rod Show. This year’s show was the 55th conducted by the Victorian Hot Rod Association (VHRA) and the event just keeps on keeping on. Sure, it’s had its challenges over the years, but rodders are both hardy and loyal, continuing to support this event (and others) year after year. But this isn’t just a show by and for rodders. Unlike rod runs and other events on the ASRF calendar, the Vic Hot Rod Show is designed as much for the general public as it is for the rusted-on rodding community. As such, it allows those with no specific interest in rods to see and experience these vehicles up…

A standout amongst the ‘cool rides’ this year was this ’73 LJ Torana. What first caught the eye with this genuine GTR XU-1 was its Juniper Green metallic paint; a period-correct Holden colour, but one rarely seen on a Torana. The next thing that stood out was the flawless finish of that paint and the overall perfect appearance of the restoration. Virtually everything was done to period-correct 1973 spec, from the 202 ‘P’ six and 4-speed manual trans, to the Globe alloys and interior trim. Originally delivered to Brisbane, the car spent most of its life in Queensland and had been repainted a different colour up there, but the decision to return back to its original hue for the resto, rather than churn out another red/blue/yellow GTR, was the right one.…

Modern alloy wheels can be hard enough to clean (especially if left too long) however cleaning wire spoke wheels such as those on classic MGs and Austin Healeys can seem daunting. It’s an easy process once you know how, though and while you’ll need to set aside at least half a day to do it properly, the results look outstanding. We spoke to Peter who hangs out the back of The Healey Factory in Ringwood, Melbourne, and who cleans all of the cars which go through the showroom. Peter has years of experience detailing classic vehicles and talked us through it step by step. PREPARATION If you’re serious about cleaning the wheels properly, they need to be removed from the car. Wheels left on a car will remain dirty on…

Enjoy the convenience of having JUST CARS delivered to your letterbox every month. Subscriptions are also available as gifts for Father’s day, Birthdays, Christmas, etc. Phone our subscription department on 03 5225 1333 for more details or subscribe online at justcars.com.au JUST AUTO JUST CARS caters for collectable, classic and custom car enthusiasts. With easy-to-find category sections, the buyer finds what they want quicker and are on the phone to you sooner. JUST CARS has the largest number of private advertisers of any automotive magazine in Australia. We also provide the best service in the business. SUBSCRIPTIONS email subscriptions@justauto.com.au or log onto justcars.com.au Phone 03 5225 1333 Fax 03 5221 7933 JUST AUTO Locked Bag 34, Geelong VIC 3220 Gift subscriptions are also available. 12 MONTHS FOR ONLY $60 Price…

The National Motor Museum at Birdwood, SA, has acquired a rare Australian-made Hartnett ‘Pacific’ convertible and are seeking public help to fund its restoration. FORGOTTEN AUSTRALIAN Little known today, the Harnett was the creation of Laurence Hartnett and was his second attempt at an all-Australian car after the Holden. After he resigned from GM-H in 1947, Hartnett began planning for the car that would bear his name - smaller and lighter than the Holden, more affordable and, most importantly, wholly Australian-owned. In sourcing a vehicle to meet this vision, Hartnett, somewhat ironically, settled on a design created by Frenchman Jean Grégoire. With a chassis made up of cast aluminium sections that included the firewall and windscreen frame, Grégoire’s design also featured fully-independent suspension and a 600cc air-cooled flat twin engine…

The Bay to Birdwood will mark its 40th Anniversary this year and organisers are aiming to make the 2020 run extra special. Over the past 40 years, the success of the Bay to Birdwood led to the event being split into two biennial categories in 2001: the first for vehicles manufactured before 1956; and the second for vehicles manufactured from 1956 to 1986. However, this year’s 40th Anniversary Bay to Birdwood (B2B), to be held on Sunday, 27 September, will be fully inclusive, with vehicles manufactured up to 31 December, 1989, eligible to enter. The same 1,750 entry cap as in past years will apply, but split across four categories: - Antique, veteran, vintage and post-war vintage vehicles – approx. 800 places - Vehicles manufactured between 1956 and 1980 –…

Anyone with even a passing interest in muscle cars will know the name Carroll Shelby. A successful racer before he was a car designer and constructor, Shelby’s connection to Ford started by combining the British-built AC Ace roadster with all-American Ford V8 engines. The result was the AC Cobra: an automotive icon and one of the most copied cars of all time. Shelby was also involved with Ford’s GT40 endurance racing programme, where his recommendations applied to the race-winning MkII and MkIV variants. The collaboration on the Mustang started in late 1964 and was driven as much by Shelby as Ford, with a dual development programme of road cars and race cars; the latter aiming to win on the track to benefit sales of the former. Based on the Mustang…

Chev was front and centre when you entered the Royal Exhibition Building, but the next car down the line was Dan Appleby’s stunning ’72 Buick Riviera in all its boat-tail beauty. Dubbed the ‘Riverboat Gambler’, this project started as a mild custom, but when it was handed over to Lucky’s Speed Shop and the talented mind of Ryan Ford, the build went to a new level. A bare metal strip and panel work was followed by rich PPG Bordeaux Pontevecchio paint. Apart from obvious exterior alterations like the grille, there’s a bunch of more subtle exterior custom touches, like the modified bumpers and scallops in Mircro Rootbeer metalflake. Under the bonnet, the metalflake finish continues on the air cleaner, rocker covers and even the block. The donk itself is a…

As far as extreme chops go, they don’t get much extreme than James and Kendal Chisholm’s 1930 Model A coupe. With 7 inches chopped out of the body and a 4-inch channel job, that open-top roof is a necessity! The bobbed ’32 grille shell throws a few people off the trail of this rod’s Model A origins, as does the Ford flathead V8 behind it, but the body is Model A, as are the 19-inch wire-spoke wheels with period-look Firestone tyres. The flathead features old-school triple carb induction, Offy lookalike heads and short pipes, but a modern alternator and distributor offer practical cruising, as does the transmission, which is believed to be a C4 auto, running to an 8.5-inch diff. Cool touches on this rat rod included a chromed chain-link…

From a pole position time almost five seconds clear of P2, to his triumphant power slides in the last race, Paul Stubber, the globetrotting Aussie who perhaps races in more categories in more places than anyone, put on a fantastic show at the 31st Phillip Island Classic Festival of Motorsport. “Wow!” yelled the commentators as the smoke fired from the tyres of Stubber’s famous yellow ’69 Camaro drifting out of Turn 12. It put a huge smile on the face of every spectator… that was their money’s worth, right there! 48 CARS FOR QUALIFYING As described in our preview of the Phillip Island Classic (JUST CARS #291), the Under 3-Litre and Over 3-Litre classes were combined this year, meaning a jumbo field of 48 cars were entered. Heading the horsepower…

UPDATED JULY, 2017* The value listed in this value guide are indicative of prices that cars will sell for the current Australian market. It is the buyer’s responsibility to assess the condition and fair value of the particular car. CONDITION 1 The car is in very good condition throughout. A potential club/show car. Concours Cars As good or better than new. Can increase the ‘Condition 1’ price by 25-40% or more. CONDITION 2 The car is in good/average condition for its age. A potential daily driver. CONDITION 3 The car is in poor condition. A good basis for restoration. Availability: RARE• MODERATE •• COMMON ••• *update notification refers only to selected sections of the Value Guide and not the entire listing.…