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Australian Car Spotters Guide - 1963 |
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Also see: Chrysler Valiant Car Reviews and S Series Valiant Specifications |
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The Valiant S series,
or SV-1, was an evolution of the R Series, it
continuing the theme of a US design being locally
assembled. Chrysler Australia chiefs new they
were on a winner with the new Valiant, the R
Series selling out within days of its launch,
and so plans were made to bring the newly US
released S Series into the country just as quickly
as possible. As with its predecessor, the model
range was rather limited, only the four door
model being made available – but this time
there would be more than a mere 1008 cars made
available to Chrysler dealerships around the
country. |
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Also see: Ford Cortina Car Reviews |
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When Colin Chapman and Ford collaborated to develop
a race and rally winner - the end result was the Lotus
Cortina. From Ford came the basic two door Cortina shell and front
suspension, where Lotus installed its own 105 bhp twin-cam
engine, close ratio 4-speed gearbox and rear suspension. The car sat lower, had front disc brakes and was shod
with wider wheels. The choice of colors was limited -
all were in a basic cream with green stripe and black
grille. |
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Also see: Ford Falcon XK to XC Car Reviews and XL Falcon Specifications |
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In the early 1960's Ford were very much committed to making the Falcon a success, and by releasing the XL when they did, they were able to steal the march on the Generals new EJ model, beating them to launch by just a few days. However the EJ Holden was rather more than a mere "facelift", which prompted Ford to boast that the XL Falcon had 734 new parts. The carburetors were modified to provide better fuel consumption, quieter engine operation and a higher top speed. Ford also claimed the higher second gear fitted to the manual gearbox gave better "flexibility" in traffic. |
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Also see: Holden 48/215 to HR Car Reviews and EH Holden Specifications |
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1963 was a watershed for Holden,
releasing what many people today still
consider to be their greatest achievement,
the eighth model "EH". The new model offered an impressive
combination of style, power, refinement,
ruggedness and value for money. Launched in
August, it entered direct competition with
the recently released Ford Falcon. An immediate success, more than 250,000
were sold in the first 18 months of its
release, making it the fastest selling
Australian car - ever. A far more substantial
facelift of the EJ than those that had been attempted
before, the "EH" featured a far more commanding
look with a revised roofline and clever
styling which, to most eyes, improved its
looks from every angle.
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Also see: Lightburn Car Reviews |
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During the 1980's you could be forgiven for thinking
many car manufacturers were turning their products into
mere appliances - but if you were to wind the clock
back even further (to the 1960's), you would find the
Lightburn whitegoods manufacturer turning the appliance
into a car! Lightburn industries had, until 1963, manufactured tools,
cement mixers, washing machines and fiberglass boats
- the latter would be significant in providing the fiberglass
body for the Zeta. And so it was that Harold Lightburn, the companies owner
and founder, was convinced that many Australian's would
like the convenience of a 2nd car, but found the cost
prohibitive. To get things started, he purchased the
rights to the British Anzani mini car; and then created
a new fiberglass 'Station Sedan' body shell. |
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