OzVMX Forum
Clubroom => Foto Forum => Topic started by: Big Bird on January 05, 2014, 10:25:42 pm
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When I was a little tacker all I wanted was a panel van and a motocross bike. Specifically, I wanted a red Escort Sundowner and either an RM or a Montesa - but I wasn't going to be too fussy.
I picked up a brochure for a Chrysler Drifter panel van somewhere, and I used to spend hours looking at it. To me the photos in it portrayed the ideal life. Cool van, great bikes, riding with mates.
Anyway, I thought I'd lost the brochure years ago, but with the parents selling up the farm and moving into town last month, we uncovered a heap of cool stuff from my childhood. Including the Drifter brochure. So I've scanned the cover page and the bikes pages, and present them below for your amusement.
I remember reading in Van Wheels magazine that only 1959 Chrysler panel vans were ever made, and the Drifter would have comprised only a small fraction of these. Anyone here own one?
Cheers
(http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab225/gpbigbird/Drifter/Epson_04012014203914_zpsb2c3eaef.jpg)
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(http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab225/gpbigbird/Drifter/Epson_04012014204822_zpse34f277d.jpg)
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(http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab225/gpbigbird/Drifter/Epson_04012014205520_zpsbbb4c464.jpg)
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http://www.justauto.com.au/justcars/buy_and_sell/for_sale/JCW3359332/?backurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.justauto.com.au%2Fjustcars%2Fsearch%2F%3Fsearch_category%3DPanelvanWagon%26current_page%3D3&backtext=Back+to+results
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I never owned one but I remember sitting in a van the same colours as the ute in the pics in my local Chrysler dealer thinking how cool it would be to travel round in one with a bike on the back.
Thanks for the memories, Big Bird! :D
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check the flat spot on the snowmans Cr :D,scrivo (with long hair) changing the plug,the maico breako's obviously parked for the day ,no probs,(got the chicks sorted),RM guys thinking 'where'd i leave my gloves', :P
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They did a drifter charger too bugger all of them though I have been thinking of buying either a valiant ute VH-CL or a 70's falcon ute for my bikes.
Ford also had specials like that too like the surferoo.
My charger has those wheels pictured the steel sports wheels.
If you really want one you could try mopar market they have a classified section and a lot of cars are sold through there before ebay and the rest or you can post a wanted add.
In my opinion there's nothing better for bikes than a ute no need for a trailer and handy in general I have 2 utes.
That drifter van is cheap in the link parts are readily available too I have been able to get pretty much everything for my charger.
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I was visiting my godson in far outback Wilcannia a couple of years ago and I recall seeing a white Drifter ute, the same as in the above ad sitting forlornly in a yard behind the BP fuel depot. It'd been in a pretty hefty front on, probably 20 years earlier and was pretty well rooted. I'm assuming that it would only be good for scavenging trim and mechanicals....that's if it's still there as I believe the depot changed hands last year and the new bloke had plans to tidy the place up.
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There was an original red Drifter van at HBBB last year. Even though I was there for the bikes, I just had to stop when I came off the track and have a closer look. The front cabin was all original, even had the AM wireless...And the rear was all decked out just like they did in the 70's. Black carpet everywhere and a mattress with bright coloured scatter cushions. A stereo system in the back with a miniature disco ball......very cool 8)
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http://www.justauto.com.au/justcars/buy_and_sell/for_sale/JCW3359332/?backurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.justauto.com.au%2Fjustcars%2Fsearch%2F%3Fsearch_category%3DPanelvanWagon%26current_page%3D3&backtext=Back+to+results
Wow that's a bargain! If only I had the room :-(
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theres a white cl 318 4 speed drifter charger around here maybe in Wilcannia but the owner knows there a limited run car and would want top dollar for it but its still in good condition and would be nearly rust free which you don't get with coastal chargers!!
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theres a white cl 318 4 speed drifter charger around here maybe in Wilcannia
The one in Wilcannia was a wreck that hadn't been on the road for what looked like 20 years. I couldn't get close enough but assumed it was a six. I really remember that day, my mate and I somehow ended up in a street cricket game with a bunch of funny little Aboriginal kids and a couple of their parents...., it was one of the funniest days I can remember.....but I diverse ;D.
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Top units the old Valiants ;)
Looking past the car the RM250 in the background has floating rear brake..
not sayin' anymore :P
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Looking past the car the RM250 in the background has floating rear brake..
Happy New Year Doc, you cheeky little bugger. The 125b swingarm is getting up there with the legendary Suzuki footpeg thread from the far past eh mate? ;D
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That would have to Holeshot Buddy working on that Montesa wouldn't it?Jeez things haven't changed much :D Liked the Chrysler over the Ford Sundowner,but liked the Sandman over them both.Cool brochures.
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Cheers Firko, all the best for year ahead ;)
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That would have to Holeshot Buddy working on that Montesa wouldn't it?Jeez things haven't changed much :D Liked the Chrysler over the Ford Sundowner,but liked the Sandman over them both.Cool brochures.
Yeah definately Holeshot, Not interested in the Chicks ;) MWAHAHA
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I saw a really cool HJ? Sandman with some obscure Dragway brand mags on the back of a car transporter parked in country nsw a few years back. It was painted up as a promo for Chiko rolls, the paint was in good nick but had patina. Cool looking car.
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saw one of these old hatchback torana's in local park recently..even had the camper option ;D Ironically it was parked beside an original Sandman van 8)
(http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z297/lord_gazman/HatchHutch5a.jpg)
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Just wondering if the the two sheilas with the ute bloke turned up with the blokes on the bikes? ;D
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Doc, we still have our "Hatch Hutch" from new when we purchase our UC Sunny bird. The good ole days when you ruffed it ....still do.
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a Sun Bird - my god weren't they a disaster!
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Looking past the car the RM250 in the background has floating rear brake..
I presume it is an alloy brake-stay also, now would that Pre 78 legal? Ted?
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Had both models opel and the misfire ;) in my opinion the opel motor was the better of the 2 as it would rev better and servived a hard 200,000klm......the gear lever that's a story in it's own ::)
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I looked at the title of this thread and thought to myself, why would someone be posting about a Chrysler Drift car. Isn't it funny how some old saying mean something totally different now.
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Top units the old Valiants ;)
swear by them 8) spent our childhood doing miles in a red fast one :D Even did the underground tram/train station in Melbourne once :o
What's the difference with the Drifter and Valiant ? age ?
cheers
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What's the difference with the Drifter and Valiant ? age
A Drifter is a pimped up variation on the CM model Valiant Ali.
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"Drifter" was a name Chrysler gave to a range of limited edition vehicles Ali....like the difference between a SS Commodore and an S Pak, Calais etc. It was to combat Holdens Sandman ute and panelvans and likewise Fords Sundowner series of vehicles......the 70's where the coolest. 8)
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It's kind of sad how the smart arses of 1977 looked at Valiants. They were called Wogmobiles and all sorts of derogatory names but the truth was that they easily as good and in some cases such as under the bonnet, were so much more superior. I bought a brand new 318 VG VIP in 1971 and my mates gave me endless stick about it but whenever we went on a long trip towing the drag car or the bikes, my air conditioned, roomy V8 plushomatic was the tow vehicle of choice over my mates piss poor 253 HG van and the other mates 302 XW ute. It's ironic that today the Valiant is considered way cooler than the equivalent Holden or Falcon.
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We've always had Valiants. The family car was an S series with 145bhp, compared to the Holden and Falcons of the time with 75bhp and 85bhp respectively - no comparison. I've owned utes, wagons, sedans, chargers, pacers and loved every one of them. The drive trains are virtually indestructible, with a worn out cam in a VG ute probably the biggest problem I ever had. My brother has also had all sorts of Vals, and still has a VJ ute and an E48 Charger. He even has a six pack 265 in his ski boat, that goes like a scalded cat. He has a leadlight Mopar star as a window in his rumpus room in addition to a complete CM front apron mounted on the wall. Yep, love the Vals. ;D
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aahh valiants of yesteryear, got hit by a "S" series valiant-broken arm and leg,fractured skull,ruptured spleen ,liver damage and a
2 month holiday in hospital. didnt even mark the paintwork on the val. g
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My dad had the first Valiant registered in NSW, the leaf green R series car that was on show at the 1962 Sydney Motor Show on the Harvey Drew stand. Being a quickie show car import it had been the recipient of a pretty ordinary RHD conversion, right down to a rough hole oxy cut in the floor for the 3 speed floor shifter. He'd wanted to order a white one but when he was told there was a 3 month wait unless he settled for either the green or a black show cars, he took the green one. After his previous EK Wagon the Valiant was a veritable muscle car (by 1962 standards) and he was the king of Maroubra with that car. Unfortunately after owning it for 18 months he lost it in the wet coming home from a fishing trip with the tinny on the trailer and rolled it into a ditch on the central coast and it was written off. He then went back to his beloved Holdens with a new EH 179 wagon. After my VG VIP I owned a Transit van and then went overseas for 7 years. On my return I bought a VG ute for $100 that lasted for 2 years until the 245 wore out with 250 000 miles on the clock. I then bought a CL Ranger sedan which to this day is the most basic car I've ever owned, that was followed by a VG Hemi 4 barrel coupe I bought off a Kiwi workmate who was heading home then a VF 318 ute and there's probably one or two Mopars I've missed. My all time favourite Musclecar is the 1964 Plymouth Fury with the 426 wedge/ 4 speed options and my current daily driver is a 4.7 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee that's given me 8 years/160000klm of almost trouble free driving so I guess you could say that I'm a closet Mopar guy. I've even got a 426cu in wedge engine sitting under the bench. If they decide to accept the Chrysler 300c into the V8 Supercar series next year I'll start watching again.
(http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k495/firko2/Valiant-years-W_zps1eefba16.jpg) (http://s1112.photobucket.com/user/firko2/media/Valiant-years-W_zps1eefba16.jpg.html)
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yeah it would be good to see the 300c's in the pack and give the other 2 brands a good shake up, maybe they'll finally get a win at Bathurst the brand deserves and like you firko ill start watching the v8's again
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I've always had a place in my heart for the big old Valiants. I learnt how to drive in a VC station wagon that my grandfather owned. He would sit me on his knees because I couldn't reach the pedals and I would do the steering and gear changes. It was the old 3 on the tree column shift. The day I got to drive it by myself on the dirt at East Hills (near Holsworthy) was one of the biggest thrills I had as a young bloke. From that moment on, I always wanted to go to East Hills for a drive....
Despite being a Chevy/Holden man, my all time favourite musclecar is the 1970 R/T Dodge Challenger with the big block 460, 2 crossfire 4 barrel carbs and 4 speed. Ever seen the movie Vanishing Point? To me the star of the show was the R/T being driven hard everywhere it went. The whole movie was basically one big car chase.....cool 8) Then there was the big bad and black supercharged R/T Dodge in the first Fast and Furious. What a car!! The knob heads totaled it as well....
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Here's my two all time favourite Mopar products (You could add the Dodge Viper to the list too).
(http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k495/firko2/plymouth_furyfront_side_zps73754199.jpg) (http://s1112.photobucket.com/user/firko2/media/plymouth_furyfront_side_zps73754199.jpg.html)
1964 Plymouth Sport Fury 426/4 speed
(http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k495/firko2/plymouth-hemi-cuda-pictures_zps725a69e9.jpg) (http://s1112.photobucket.com/user/firko2/media/plymouth-hemi-cuda-pictures_zps725a69e9.jpg.html)
1971 Plymouth Hemi 'cuda
(http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k495/firko2/VIPER_zpsaf70bc04.png) (http://s1112.photobucket.com/user/firko2/media/VIPER_zpsaf70bc04.png.html)
Dodge Viper
(http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k495/firko2/chrysler300c_zpsaf83fae2.jpg) (http://s1112.photobucket.com/user/firko2/media/chrysler300c_zpsaf83fae2.jpg.html)
Chrysler 300c V8 Supercar
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The Garry Rogers cars will be Volvos this year. Apparently Brad Jones Racing is trying to get Chrysler interested. You never know. After 2016 the V8s will probably be two door cars. Mustangs, Camaros etc. The Chrysler could be a Charger. They could paint them purple and have fluffy dice on the mirror. Sorry Mark I couldn't resist.
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The Garry Rogers cars will be Volvos this year. Apparently Brad Jones Racing is trying to get Chrysler interested. You never know. After 2016 the V8s will probably be two door cars. Mustangs, Camaros etc. The Chrysler could be a Charger. They could paint them purple and have fluffy nice on the mirror. Sorry Mark I couldn't resist.
Purple chargers are fn awesome!!!!!
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Billy West who worked for Rick Doughty at Vintage Iron owned a purple Hemi 'cuda identical to that in the photo and he gave me a drive of it back in 96. It was the most frightening stock standard car I've ever driven. Even though the factory quoted 425 bhp they were deliberately under quoted for insurance purposes and were actually closer to 550bhp. With 550+hp in the flimsy Barracuda monocoque body the car torqued like all buggery, tried to lift the left side front wheel and wandered all over the road at even a hint of too much throttle or letting the clutch out too abruptly. It handled like a bucket of prawns but whoo hee it was fun, and boy did it look the goods with its 'Plum Crazy' purple paint. Another friend owned a lovely Curious yellow (that was the name of the colour 8)) 340 4 speed 71 model and even though it too was pretty snappy, it was a very smooth, good handling and predictable car in comparison to the monster hemi.
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I'd love to see them being the challenger and charger like has been rumoured for a while now.
I am a fan of the movie Dirty Mary Crazy Larry they give the big dodge charger a flogging in that.
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Thanks for the responses thus far. Since we have started talking about movie cars and Valiant Chargers...
Curiously enough, in the same box as I found the Drifter brochure, I found an envelope of old photos. This is me in Alvin Purple's Charger, at the 1974(??) Aus Grand Prix at Sandown. Dad's mate was Clerk of Course or something, and the Charger was being used as a course car. After the race, I was taken for a lap of the track in it. I thought I was royalty.
(http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab225/gpbigbird/Drifter/9252526d-fbf8-4dc3-924f-ef4eac3cbba6_zps4a3f73a2.jpg)
Graeme Macrae won the race...
(http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab225/gpbigbird/Drifter/2071330f-7537-4bca-a3a9-50a878f778cb_zpsfb2c5508.jpg)
My favourite car of the meeting was Mike Stillwell's Escort
(http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab225/gpbigbird/Drifter/7fd0fe5c-e12e-4f05-93c2-f3ac13deb905_zpsbc4840f0.jpg)
And just to get back to panel vans, in the same envelope I found this very dodgy photo I took of the Coca Cola 3XY Freedom Machine, taken at Wattle Park Speedway - 1979 maybe??
(http://i866.photobucket.com/albums/ab225/gpbigbird/Drifter/dc98845b-0b5a-4c00-b4be-b2a62417b91a_zpsfb6be09e.jpg)
Cheers all,
Geoff
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Those Bike/Ute shots must of been taken just after Gaston came thru ! check out the laid back bars ;D
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I think those Drifters are weird but I like them. I've been keeping my eye out for a mid 70s El Camino for a track truck. This is my favorite Mopar, bar none.
(http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu322/rustrunner/DSC00500-006.jpg) (http://s660.photobucket.com/user/rustrunner/media/DSC00500-006.jpg.html)
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That '71 Hemi Cuda looks fast just sitting there. Awesome. Amazing how similar they look to the same era Dodge Charger and Challenger.
And the hot rod Bedford van...cool. I can remember as a kid that nearly every other Bedford had the XC ford grille and lights makeover. Never made any sense to me as it wasn't HOLDEN....I was thinking of doing the same style flares and spoiler with my yet to be restored '77 SWB Bedford van but have opted to keep it reasonably stock looking. I might put a HG holden premier grille and lights in if I can find one.....
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That '71 Hemi Cuda looks fast just sitting there. Awesome. Amazing how similar they look to the same era Dodge Charger and Challenger
The Plymouth Baracuda and Dodge Challenger are essentially the same car based on Chryslers E body platform. Badge engineering at its finest. A bloke in our club had a SWB Bedford with a 350 Chevy engine. Comparing it to my stock as a bog V4 Transit was like comparing a Dodge Viper with a Triumph Herald. I set about getting the parts to fit a 289 to the Transit but it all got too hard so I sold it and went travelling instead. The 289 is still under the bench.
(http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k495/firko2/electrics017_zps2be7a8de.jpg) (http://s1112.photobucket.com/user/firko2/media/electrics017_zps2be7a8de.jpg.html)
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Hey Firko, That Cuda picture that you posted is a 1970. The 1971 had the gills in the front fender.
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The business at the other end of the street I live on specializes in USA Chrysler and Valiant restos. Noticed Challengers , Cudas ,Chargers and a Drifter Panel van all on the resto go there. The name on the wall is "Michie Street motors" Elmore Victoria. if anyone is interested. (They do bare metal type resto's so add an easy Hmm $30,000 say to get the ball started rolling....
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Gees Firko are you sure were not related? I have a 300 c as my good car and am restoring both a Charger and a V12 XJS. my mates in the 70S had V8 Vans , 1 had a 289 in a transit the other a 350 in a bedford., good times had by all . Funnily enough the charger I am doing up was painted in the drifter colour scheme.
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Hey Firko, That Cuda picture that you posted is a 1970. The 1971 had the gills in the front fender.
Doh! I'll have to smack that Google Photos editor in the chops next time I see him ;D. Thanks mate.
Gees Firko are you sure were not related? I have a 300 c as my good car and am restoring both a Charger and a V12 XJS. my mates in the 70S had V8 Vans , 1 had a 289 in a transit the other a 350 in a bedford., good times had by all . Funnily enough the charger I am doing up was painted in the drifter colour scheme.
;D ;D ;D ;D If I hadn't bought the Jeep, a 300C was the other choice. Sadly, I'm toying with the notion of selling my XJ-S as I don't use it nearly enough, which isn't fair on the car. I've been offered an imported 1968 Ford Ranchero GT ute for a good price. It's a 10 year old restoration with 302/auto/9", disc brake upgrade, decent metallic gold paint and old school Cragar wheels. I reckon it'd be a very cool bike transporter and would get used far more often than the Jag. The only thing holding me back is that the Ranchero is left hand drive and my long term connection with the Jag....I've really become attached to the car .
(http://i1112.photobucket.com/albums/k495/firko2/1968_Ford_Ranchero_GT_015jpg_Thumbnail1_zpsf30a2062.jpg) (http://s1112.photobucket.com/user/firko2/media/1968_Ford_Ranchero_GT_015jpg_Thumbnail1_zpsf30a2062.jpg.html)
A similar 1968 Ranchero to the one I'm considering.
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The Ranchero would be a cool transporter Firko. Plenty of room in the cargo area too which is more than you can say about today's utes...
I did want to go the V8 route with my Bedford but I might have left it too late. I have been told that it wouldn't pass engineering in Victoria anymore as they have changed the engine transplant rules. I was even thinking of putting in a 289 or 302 windsor for no reason other than the Ford small blocks are a lot narrower than the Chev. Putting the Ford motor in would mean I could move the motor back and lower in it's mounts without having to eat into the Bedford's cramped drivers left leg room. It might even be possible to decrease the size of the engine cowl which would be a bonus.
Would you believe I had one of the old Mitsubishi L300 express vans with a 302 windsor, FMX auto and 9" in it? The tailshaft was 7" long! Talk about a hoot to drive ;D ;D ;D. I could pull up on the inside lane at the lights and drag off pretty much anything if I got traction. Even Harleys were no match for the flying matchbox! And yes, it was legally registered in NSW.
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A mate of mine is doing a ranchero with rhd conversion it used a xy front end but still the ranchero panels and it will have a fairlane dash he has it sitting low too it is looking good.
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(http://[/im[URL=http://s842.photobucket.com/user/pinestephen/media/P1000447_zps45d6a3ce.jpg.html][IMG]http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz341/pinestephen/P1000447_zps45d6a3ce.jpg)[/URL]g]
Firko here's my interpretation
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Didn't turn out Piney...have another shot at it.
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bedfords had 308 / 253 and 307 chev as std so rego should be no issue? I always thought the valiants were poo because they always failed on the race track. now I know about politics which effectively rogered a Chryslers efforts a the majors (sandown Bathurst etc) as there is a very quick 6 pack E38 charger on the historic circuit that slaughters by laps, anything gm or ford can put together. seeing a charger put 200 metres on a HO phase three ++++ historic falcon down PI's main straight is a an eye opener and a realisation if the factory could have got its act together in the same way firth grabbed holden by the cobblers, a charger would have won Bathurst by a mile!
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over in kiwi land the E38 and E49's were the king of the track beating everything ghm and ford could throw at them,even moffets Bathurst winning shaker which even moffet said those chargers are too fast for him and the car got given to kiwi driven jimmy Richards who failed to beat the chargers either so the ford came back with its tail between its legs!! the kiwi chargers got no factory backing other then getting the car given to them and its was up to the teams to get the cars to handle within the rules at the time, a lot different to what was happening in aussie between gmh and ford teams.
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bedfords had 308 / 253 and 307 chev as std so rego should be no issue? I always thought the valiants were poo because they always failed on the race track. now I know about politics which effectively rogered a Chryslers efforts a the majors (sandown Bathurst etc) as there is a very quick 6 pack E38 charger on the historic circuit that slaughters by laps, anything gm or ford can put together. seeing a charger put 200 metres on a HO phase three ++++ historic falcon down PI's main straight is a an eye opener and a realisation if the factory could have got its act together in the same way firth grabbed holden by the cobblers, a charger would have won Bathurst by a mile!
Wrong! The aussie Bedfrods had the biggest motor available to them in it's original form...either a mighty 186 Holden red motor or later the 202. No V8 Bedfords were produced by the factory. Which is a hell of a lot better than the Opel petrol 4Cyl or the german diesel that the poms got stuck with.....
And yes, If Chrysler would have put some effort into production racing in Australia by giving the car some decent brakes and a MUCH BIGGER FUEL TANK, they could of, would of, should of beat all before it....Before the little Torana came along anyways ;D
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What do you mean bigger fuel tank have you seen the chargers with the big tank option it takes up the whole boot and had fillers on both quarters.
The problem was there gearbox first was a three speed then the 4 speed but the ratios were wrong.
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They were very thirsty motors Micheal....even with the "Bathurst" tank they had to stop for fuel more than the Fords or Holdens. All that mumbo had to come from somewhere.....Fuel and air is what helped make them so quick
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[u(http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz341/pinestephen/P1000448-Copy_zps36b546e6.jpg) (http://s842.photobucket.com/user/pinestephen/media/P1000448-Copy_zps36b546e6.jpg.html)rl][/url]
here we go Firko 1982 and a right hooker
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[u(http://i842.photobucket.com/albums/zz341/pinestephen/P1000447_zpsf5ab60a0.jpg) (http://s842.photobucket.com/user/pinestephen/media/P1000447_zpsf5ab60a0.jpg.html)rl][/url]
oops meant 1972
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That yours Piney? What engine does it have? Is it for sale by chance? I like the side view of the '72 but the front is a bit iffy in my opinion. My favourite is the '67 Ranchero which has the same front sheetmetal as our ZB/ZC Fairlanes, or the '66 with XT front bodywork.
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1992 LWB Nissan URVAN.
200 RW/kW 5.6 lt SB Windsor, AOD 4-speed mechanical OD auto, Patrol H233B heavy duty 4:50 LSD differential. Totally street legal and complianced in Victoria however getting through the VASS program in Victoria took more than 12 months and close to a house mortgage to complete. I'd never contemplate such a project again given the engineering assessment, testing and mods required. It was a case of getting to a point of no return that turning back would have seen a considerable amount of man hours and $'s being thrown away.
And yes it quick! (When you get traction)
(http://i1256.photobucket.com/albums/ii489/Darley04/URVAN%20Build/photo.jpg)
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Hiya Firko, yeah its mine runs a 351 clevo
good thing about these utes are with coil front and rear suspension they ride just like a fairlane.
just goin through the motions to get re resisted.
I reckon its gonna be kool with a couple of vintage dirt trackers in the back.