Rare and interesting car sightings

[boronia]

They were known here as "MetroCabs", we had a few in Sydney as well.

They were a more modern style assembled here with Holden Commodore power pack. I caught a couple and thought they were fantastic.

The original units in Sydney were diesels from UK, and many were later re-engined with Commodore V6s to extend their lives. I think they all disappeared when the age limits were introduced?. There were some later models imported from China or Korea[?]

[scott]

In Victoria, taxis had a six to seven year limit, so the newest Metrocabs were gone by around 1997-98, some even got repainted in Jeff Kennett's yellow taxi livery.

There was indeed an earlier Camry, sold in lift back form between 1983 and 1987, ceased when the 1st locally made Camry's went down the line in early 1987.

https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-review ... 1987-57794

[Heihachi_73]

I remember there was a batch of London type cabs in Melbourne, can't remember what the model was called, but they were repowered with Commodore 3.8L V6 engines converted to LPG, was late 80's early 90's and last one retired in about 1997. They were sort of SUV like.

There used to be a decrepit Reliant Metrocab at the back of the car repair yard at Heatherdale (Ringwood side), back when the station was still above ground and on the Mitcham side. It's where the equally-decrepit caravan currently is (unless that too has gone since).

Taxis had a 6-7 year limit? I've noticed there are still a few BF wagons out there earning their keep with thirteen crabs, with Ford not bothering with an FG/FG-X wagon despite having ute versions.

I've seen a few Camry liftbacks (SV11) on the road, but being a generic-looking 80s car they don't tend to get much notice though.

[scott]

In 2017, the Victorian cab industry was deregulated and the age limit was removed, this saw many B series Falcons being reinstated to taxi duties.

[crazyturbo76]

Taxis had a 6-7 year limit? I've noticed there are still a few BF wagons out there earning their keep with thirteen crabs, with Ford not bothering with an FG/FG-X wagon despite having ute versions.

I've seen a few Camry liftbacks (SV11) on the road, but being a generic-looking 80s car they don't tend to get much notice though.

I think the "justification" for Ford not having a FG station wagon was because they wanted to focus mainly on a Mondeo station wagon (not to mention it would have been cheaper for them to not have to make tooling for a FG wagon). And look how that turned out. Nowadays you see the smaller Focuses and Fiestas a lot more than the Mondeos, that kinda paints a picture of where Ford's main sales have gone lately.

The BF station wagons are still used as taxis, if very uncommon, in NSW. Otherwise most of the big taxis are Carnivals or Hiaces here. Unfortunately with the current trend towards crossovers in the market (which I accept a lot more than SUVs - they at least are a bit more practical and aren't excessive in the role of driving the kids to school or to the junior rugby league/soccer game), I think the station wagon will more or less eventually go the way of the dodo in terms of market acceptance.

My sister has one of those imported Nissan Elgrand people movers and that thing from what I hear is a maintenance nightmare; the TV in the back doesn't work (if you try to fix it, something else breaks), the in built GPS doesn't work (because it uses an archaic type of GPS that needs to be reimaged with data for Australian roads, not to mention translated into English from Japanese) and parts can be a bit tricky to find these days.

[mubd]

I think it's a damn shame that station wagons are on the way out here in Australia. I think the only mainstream wagons left are the VW Golf and Passat wagons, the Subaru Levorg and Outback (they call it an SUV, but I don't think it is), and the Skoda Fabia Wagon (only $19k!). There's also the Mazda 6 wagon, which I had no idea existed until I Googled it. The rest are luxury wagons from the high-end European manufacturers.

Wagons basically combine the practicality and roominess of an SUV with the superior driving dynamics and fuel economy of a sedan. I literally see no downsides, other than lower driving height and ground clearance (which basically no one with an SUV ACTUALLY uses).

They continue to be very popular in Europe, mostly (I think) because driving dynamics are much more important to Europeans, and fuel economy is a huge thing because their petrol prices are crazy compared to ours.

The Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus and Hyundai i30 are available in wagon form over there.

[Merc1107]

SUVs today are more like 'SUVs'. The look big, certainly take up a lot of space on the road and look utterly terrible, but on the inside, passenger amenities are lacking. Features include a dashboard bigger than the griddle at your local cafe and absolutely no room for the passengers, but plenty for all the crap they apparently carry with them...

[Swift]

Suvs and crossover vehicles are quite tight in the cargo area and a BF Falcon wagon puts them to shame.
I an not surprised Australians are drawn to crossovers primarily because of the high driving position and the suv feel and look they have without ever intending to leave the road.
The high driving height over regular passenger vehicles gives the feeling of dominance and being higher tier on the road, something usually aggressive natured Australians take to. Have you seen how male Hilux drivers often behave in your rear view mirror? You see mothers taking on a bit of that mentality in a crossover.

[boronia]

Seems to be in regular use, just down the road from home

DSC04597 (Small).jpeg (136.91 KiB) Viewed 3650 times

[Newcastle Flyer]

Let me know if you can't see the clickable pictures.

Both at Morpeth, March 2016

[boronia]

I think the "justification" for Ford not having a FG station wagon was because they wanted to focus mainly on a Mondeo station wagon (not to mention it would have been cheaper for them to not have to make tooling for a FG wagon). And look how that turned out. Nowadays you see the smaller Focuses and Fiestas a lot more than the Mondeos, that kinda paints a picture of where Ford's main sales have gone lately.

The lack of FG wagon was more an attempt to direct buyers into the Territory (which had been eroding wagon sales anyway by that time). The Mondeo was there as a backup.

[Swift]

An assortment. A Toyota Crown and my NC II Fairlane I took pics of today. A pic of yours truly and my first car a 245 hemi CL Valiant on LPG circa 1997.

[Swift]

Found another Toyota I haven't seen in ages and am not likely to see again for a long time if ever this 1980s Toyota Land cruiser Sahara in Kingsford.

[Big Engine Mechanic]

An assortment. A Toyota Crown and my NC II Fairlane I took pics of today. A pic of yours truly and my first car a 245 hemi CL Valiant on LPG circa 1997.

Your Fairlane is in nice condition, that bloody grill is so hard to come by

[Big Engine Mechanic]

I did not snap this one but thought I'd post it, 3000 ever made, it's beautiful

[Swift]

An assortment. A Toyota Crown and my NC II Fairlane I took pics of today. A pic of yours truly and my first car a 245 hemi CL Valiant on LPG circa 1997.

Your Fairlane is in nice condition, that bloody grill is so hard to come by

Thanks mate! I happen to like the NC Fairlane grill also. It was a big improvement on the NA Fairlane's one.
That's a great movie and the production scene that photo is from is one of the best scenes in the movie.

[Big Engine Mechanic]

Your Fairlane is in nice condition, that bloody grill is so hard to come by

Thanks mate! I happen to like the NC Fairlane grill also. It was a big improvement on the NA Fairlane's one.
That's a great movie and the production scene that photo is from is one of the best scenes in the movie.

Thanks yes I know hey !

[Merc1107]

Saw a white Volvo 760GLE in Perth CBD Saturday evening, the custom rego suggests it's a 1986. In great nic, and didn't realise the 760 was sold here - although I rather doubt it's one with Peugot-Renault-Volvo V6!

[Swift]

Yes they did indeed come with PRV V6, but by this year, their problems were largely sorted out and were quite a capable power plant. Lovely sound to them.

[Big Engine Mechanic]

I've got pictures on another mobile of mine but the battery is stuffed so I can't access them, I've got a friend that owns a White HQ Monaro with a souped up motor from a Greyhound bus in it.

[Big Engine Mechanic]

I didn't snap this one but my god it's fascinating !

[Big Engine Mechanic]

I snapped these, the truck accident should be on the news tonight.

[Swift]

A handy way to check the brakes there.
That Caddy yells pimp. All it's missing is a pair of bull horns on the end of the considerable hood and fluffy white upholstery throughout.
Here's a backlog from the last few weeks taken around Ettalong Beach and Woy Woy.

IMG_20200522_141640-800x600.jpg (182.11 KiB) Viewed 1981 times

[Big Engine Mechanic]

Nice photos, Older cars etc are so much better than what they are now.

[Swift]

Couldn't believe it when I came across this in Woy Woy. It had the t bar automatic and the paint is like new. This has very likely been repainted. I'm surprised to see it parked in the street with regular plates.