Sunday was a beautiful sunny day in Adelaide, South Australia and so I thought I would go out for a nice drive and see if I could spot a cool car or two. I started to head out to the areas where demographically there seem to be more cool cars per capita and started heading up one of our longer main arterial roads when I started to spot the odd chrome flash, shiny paint and the rumble of a healthy V8. There was quit a mixture of cars out on Sunday varying from several first generation Camaros, a Caddy or two, several 57 chevies of various body styles, the odd Dodge Phoenix, a white 68 firebird convertible, local chevvy powered Monaros (60 and 70's GM coupe) and several 60's Impalas and Belairs as well as a couple of tubbed Rods - a 34 Ford coupe and a Willys and dozens of other cool classic cars as well as modified 'moderns'. After passing too many of them all driving in the same direction I decided to turn around and follow them - why not? After all I didn't see any Buicks and we needed to be represented! At a set of lights I asked the driver of a black 4 door Dodge Phoenix if they where all cruising to some spot. She (!) informed me that there was a large carpark at the main Army Barracks Parade ground where they where all to meet so I dropped by and picked a friend of mine up and we made our way over to where all the action was. Fortunately I was armed with my trusty digital camera and thought I would take a few shots to show you guys (yes, I actually had you guys in mind) some of the local cruising scene which is quite active compared to many other cities. We have more classic cars and American cruisers out here than most people think. I bet that some of you have never seen cars like the local GM Monaro which was first first produced in 1968 and was available with a 350 small block Chevy. Of course now a days most local large GM sedans are powered by a V6 Buick motor. Here's a small collection and a taste of the local Adelaide cruising scene in case any of you where thinking of coming down for a holiday. I hope you enjoy them and if any of you come down we'll go cruising in the Electra. I hope you enjoy this weeks offerings as much as I did. Bill S. Here is a Black 1968 Holden (GM) Monaro powered by a SBC no doubt.
Do you have any photos/links of the second generation (72-74) Holden Monaro? From the rear it looks like a mix of 70-72 Pontiac Lemans, with a smaller 69 Impala bumper with a 2nd gen Camaro rear window! Cool Todd
Sorry, I don't have any front pictures of the 72 Monaro but I'll look for some on the net and shoot you a link or two. Here's a local 34 highboy (yes we do have fender laws - guess the law was looking the other way on Sunday)...
My right hand drive '66 Electra - the only Buick there that day - I'm sure that there are more local Buicks. I just haven't found them that's all.
Bill: I would love to drive one of my Buicks in your country but the risk for someone that is use to driiving a left hand drive on the right side of the road is great. I was driving a right hand drive on the left side in Aus on a trip and by reflex I would be tempted to lapse into the US system for turns and particularly traffic circles which you perform clockwise and here c- clockwise. Things would be fine until I let myself go on autopilot as we do in a sense for tasks so often performed. Did you have the same experience here? Jim Lore
There was no chance of me going anywhere near auto pilot. The concentration needed to avoid bothering the local drivers (let alone protecting your own life) was enough to keep me on my toes. Wouldn't have missed it for the world though. One good thing was that at least I got to race in the left lane! Bill S.
Those Holden's are cool looking cars.... wonder how much it would cost to buy one and have it shipped back here and converted to left-hand drive....:Brow: :laugh: I like that '72, what a good looking car....
I could arrange one for you. Remember that your US dollar is worth nearly two of our Australian Dollars so now would be a good time. You could use readily available camaro parts for the conversion. If your serious I could send you one of our "Unique Cars" magazines and you could browse through the available cars. I could check out some in the local area. It would definately be different. Bill S.
I doubt I would ever save up the money to do something like that, but it is an interesting proposition. How much would a nice one that is all original cost down there?
Probably about 4-10 grand. (2-5,000 US$). Should be able to land one for 10,000 at an LA Port (an I'm guessing). To ship a car from LA to Sydney/Melbourne usually costs about AUD$5,000. It would be a very unique car and people sho-horn BBC in them. An SBC is no problem because they came with them from the factory that way. They look good don't they. I like both the first and second generation Monaros - and of course the latest ones (Pontiac GTO's) which are just about to hit your shores. Bill S.
It would be different! You'd have to leave it right hand drive it would confuse everbody who saw it!uzzled: Jason
