Aussie Vans

Post by **Dave_H** » Wed Nov 13, 2002 3:31 am

Theres this one site on the net I think its called "The Aussie Traveller" about a guy with a black custom Holden panel van. He's done some major trekking around Australia in it.

One of his more recent trips mentioned that he stopped at a van show somwhere in Victoria or South Australia he also shows some pictures of a few custom Vans.

I'm happy that some of these vans are still out there. I grew up near Cronulla (beach side suburb in Syndey) back when I was a kid, EVERYONE had a custom Van.

Post by **lastxc** » Thu Nov 14, 2002 7:58 pm

Hey Mitch,

Cobra number is 324, there is one in the states already and another one on it's way. If you go to Dearbourne for the Ford 100th you will probably see one plus many other Ford coupes and replica Interceptors. I know the owners of these are meeting at a town near Dearbourne and then drive in convoy lead by a new BA Falcon GT from Australia. Now that will be an awesome sight!

Bruce

Post by **Mitch** » Thu Nov 14, 2002 9:21 pm

Hey Bruce,

I'll probably be tail-end Charlie of that formation (ha-ha).

I'm going to Dearborn also, and I'm getting the Gossie into shape for the trip. She's rough, but running. Putting the time and $ into it as I can now.

Will you be over here for the show? I know some Aussies are coming over, but I don't remember who exactly right now. Ford AU, ABC, and some Australian car magazines will also be there. Buy you a Fosters if I run into you!

Again, very nice Cobra!

Mitch

Post by **Brad** » Thu Nov 14, 2002 10:49 pm

Fosters, yuk, thats the stuff us guys wont drink so we send it to the states

so Cheers

Post by **Mitch** » Thu Nov 14, 2002 11:55 pm

Ok, how 'bout a Bud? Budweiser HQ is my hometown of St. Louis. A vegemite shake maybe?

Mitch

Post by **Brad** » Sat Nov 16, 2002 2:14 am

we all grow up on vegemite toast here mate, be careful, we all have it in the kitchen cupboard for those special occasions. Dont we all agree???

Post by **Mitch** » Sat Nov 16, 2002 3:32 am

So what exactly IS vegemite? Like peanut butter? What does it taste like? Will it seal a radiator leak in a '73 Falcon XBGT? I'll swap you a sack of 10 White Castle belly bombers for a jar of vegemite...

I was wondering if the Aussie Van Culture of the '70's had their own magazines like we did in the US? Big on murals, carpet, 8-tracks and mag wheels. Ever hear of a song called 'Chevy Van'? Total cheez!

Mitch

Post by **Big Bopper Bart** » Mon Nov 18, 2002 1:53 am

Quote: Originally posted by Wrinkles on 11 November 2002

Big Bopper Bart... I've got an XB ute - black with black sunraysia's.. she's pretty rough 'round the edges, and no nose cone or spoilers - but it looks the part. If you're interested, I'll get some photos and send them in to Peter. ...don't know that she's worthy of being shown on this site though!

Yeah dude send em to pete i would love to see pics of it thanx

Post by **XAMan** » Mon Nov 18, 2002 5:38 am

Hi Mitch

In the late seventies / early eighties there was an Australian magazine dedicated to the van scene called ... 'Van Wheels'. As the van scene petered out it morphed into 'Street Machine' ... I think there were a couple of crossover issues titled 'Van Wheels incorporating Street Machine'.

Lastxc

Thanks for the van shots ... they were everywhere .. maybe they're in sheds with all the Chrysler Centuras and P76's ... you've gotta wonder how many of those nosecones ended up in panel shop waste skips ... Oh the pain ... the pain

Love the Cobra ... I was checking out how the cobra spoiler was originally attached to a mates Cobra so that I could fit one to my XC ute when I was smitten by his car which I hadn't really looked at since I did a pre purchase perve and swerve prior to him buying it about five years ago ... lovely ... I'd even managed to somehow convince my girlfriend that it was a far more practical vehicle than the family Toyota Hilux ... I was talking with a guy on the NSW south coast who was selling one a month ago .. but ... stupidly ... dithered about and when I rang him yesterday it was sold ... to someone from Melbourne.

It's a dilemma ... finish the XC ute ... sell it and the Hilux for a cobra ... so many cars so little time ... then there's the Yamaha SR500 that's halfway to being converted to a '50s Manx Norton that is looking a tad sad up the back of the garage ... at least my HQSS is almost finished ... except that the panel beater cutting some rust seems to have done a David Copperfield and disappeared ... what ... me worry! ..... Agggggggggg!

Post by **lastxc** » Mon Nov 18, 2002 9:23 am

Hi Pete,

Sounds like you have a lot on, decisions decisions!

Yep I bet if you looked out back of a few panel shops around the early 80's you would have picked up a few unwanted nose cones for nothing. My mate had a HQ SS and boy did we fang that car out on the back roads, we had a lot of fun.

Out of curiosity do you know what number Cobra your mates is and the one sold from the Sth Coast? I know 349 is on its way to the USA and 23 went to a collector recently.

Regards

Bruce