A Legacy Lost? (2000-2017) | Shannons End of An Era | Part 4

Ford misreads the market with its all-new AU Falcon, whilst Holden dominates the large car segment with the VT Commodore and successive model updates. It’s not until the Falcon BA and BF that Ford is able to get back on the shopping-list, but it’s the Ford Territory SUV that landed the company its biggest winner in years - binging buyers back to Ford showrooms.
Under a revitalized company leadership that had Holden and ‘performance’ firmly in sight, Ford launches a new race team and performance road car division - Ford Performance Vehicles.
The growth of European prestige brands have cemented themselves down-under and Aussie families become increasingly more likely to drive an Audi A4 than a locally made equivalent.
With new immigration, the attraction to locally made cars continues to reduce, we see a return of the Ford GT, the Holden Monaro heads to the US as a Pontiac GTO as lower priced Korean cars take a grip at the lower end of the car market.
Amongst this, the Mitsubishi Magna finally fades into the sunset.
Then, billed as the Billion Dollar Baby, Holden plays its largest ever roll of the dice, with the Commodore VE in 2006. The VE Commodore would be the first all Australian designed and made car by Holden.......ever!. It’s sales numbers prove the VE to be the most successful Commodore, as an aggressive LHD export program has the VE wrapped in a Pontiac suit and then, a Chevrolet bow-tie, bound for the US and Middle East.
Despite some clever engine innovation and technology from Ford such as LPG and 4 cylinder turbos, it’s a little too late for the Ford Falcon. Ford had done such a good job over the years of educating Australian car buyers around the large and powerful Falcon, that a 4 cylinder Falcon just didn’t end up on the shopping list. A situation not helped by a lack of marketing or government sales. In fact, Ford sold more of it’s 4 cylinder Falcons to itself than anyone else.
The rise of the user-chooser fleet buyer and the decline of Australian fleet sales becomes the new norm, as the Australian Government decides to drop their ‘Buy Australian’ vehicle policy in favour of cheaper and imported vehicles, from Korea or increasingly from Thailand.
As Holden launch their final VF Commodore and Ford their FG-X Falcon, it’s Toyota who continue with their local Camry, including Hybrid technology as the foundation of their successful export program.
Yet the writing is on the wall for Aussie car-makers as Government policy to offer ever dwindling industry subsidies is made loud and clear!
Ford are the first to announce they will stage a phased shutdown of their Australian manufacturing. But it’s a case of as one falls down, they all take a tumble and Toyota and ultimately Holden make the same announcements to withdraw from local manufacturing. These decisions effectively end more than 90 years of Australian automotive mass-production, that ultimately claim up to 50,000 jobs; both directly on the production line and indirectly through hundreds of suppliers large and small.
Watch as the last cars ever to be produced in Australia, roll off the production lines.
A moving visual montage of some of the most memorable cars made by Australian workers unfolds, as we pay tribute to the generations of passion, commitment, home-grown ingenuity, improvisation and innovation; unique and irreplaceable skills which, for almost a century, made Australia one of only a handful of countries in the world that could design and build its own cars.
And as the sun sets on this celebration of Aussie motoring history, Shane Jacobson shares his most personal reflections amongst some of the most iconic and best preserved examples of Australian made cars from the 1925 Model T through to the last Holden VF and Ford FG-X Sprint. His emotional closing of the chapter on the wonderful story of Aussie innovation, the cars and the people who shaped our motoring history, will stand forever as a Legacy.
Shannons End of Era. Celebrating Aussie Motoring History.

[@breaking-the-fiction-addic4185]

Anyone else here have to fight back the tears? Think I'll keep my VH Commodore wagon for another 22 years. This was a rippa of a series. Well done guys.

[@elizabethcherry920]

I am an American it sad to see an industry go, especially the one you guys had. The cars made in Australia had a design of its own, unlike the passionless koreans and Japanese manufacturers. There is no excitement in vehicles made in korea or japan, It is sad to it end in Australia.

[@DAT810]

@@elizabethcherry920 I love Australian cars been brought up in a Holden house, but passionless Japanese cars? umm what about the landcruiser or the skyline gtr *cough Bathurst.

[@burnout9069]

@tone167 I'd have to agree with you there. Asian cars have had a long and strong loyalist following for years. A huge aftermarket to support them, and some of those things fair get on it. The Japanese are in fact big into modified cars also. Both there own and domestic. They may have a little quirkyness about some of there styles, but they are true to form cars nuts just like us. As for the bmw/merc stuff... It's owners are owned by mostly well off, hipsters.

[@hrsniperguy]

didn't fight em, let em run free

[@kournikovac2625]

Didn’t fight them lol Let em run. And I barely cry at anything!

[@exedracs4029]

Alright I can't be the only bloke that cried during this. Big thankyou to Shannons for making this series. That lineup at the end was just beautiful.

[@samkaur4098]

Yes it was very emotional to watch at the end.Our family have grown up with Holden and Ford cars but i prefer Holdens myself but i had a lot of good memories from both car companies.RIP.

[@frucklerbullpit]

@samkaur4098 why is there a weird link at the end of your comment?.

[@h3llcat356]

Holden fans and Ford fans were giving s**t to each other for nearly 100 years but the end we're all brothers and sisters loving what we built the Red Lion and Blue Oval that made us Australian so may we stick together as both Ford and Holden fans but yet keep the same friendly rivalry

[@piercehawke8021]

Pretty much the same here in the USA. The big difference is that the only passenger cars being built be Ford/GM/Stellantis (Mopar) the Mustang (Ford), Chevy Camaro, Malibu, Corvette, and a couple of Cadillac models, and the Charger/Challenger/300 for the last manufacturer. And of course; pickups/SUVs, etc are by far the big sellers here. Then there's Honda, Hyundai, Toyota, VW and a few other companies doing OK here, with mostly cars.

[@Ranger_Dog311]

Ford = fkd on race day 😂😂

[@nightmareyt5802]

@@Ranger_Dog311 bro shut up stop ruining moments

[@nightmareyt5802]

@@Ranger_Dog311 I literally I have a vt clusport and a bf xr6 and I dont talk shit bout either

[@transamericap7659]

I feel three emotions. Pride in our ability to design and build some great cars, Sadness that it's all pretty much gone and Anger that successive Australian Governments have allowed this to happen.

[@68404]

The problem is the big 3 weren't Australian. Head office called all the shots

[@toddross7507]

@@68404 Toyota wanted to stay. I remember reading somewhere after the collapse the head of Toyota said it was his biggest regret that it had happened and would work very hard to see it never happen again at any other subsideries (The Japanese are very humble people, I believe he meant what he said). As shown in this video, they had great export numbers, They just couldn't continue with the unviable industry once one fell, and then the other. As for the other two, you're right - the Americans didn't want to be here anymore, they pulled the plug a long time back, just waited for the lights to go out.

[@slimshady2777]

The big 3 were never australian .. thats not the point . .they didnt need to be .. as long as they were profitable they would stay . . Government policys like removing tarrifs and not buying australian manufactured in was what did it ..

[@samualmewton6126]

‘Agenda 21’ look it up .. The demise of our manufacturing base was planed back in the early 70’s . www.cirnow.com.au/what-is-the-lima-declaration/

[@judechopper]

its not the government fool, its the buyers have woken up to shit cars. get a hyundai up ya.

[@frucklerbullpit]

I think every Australian should watch this series. It should be shown at schools and circulated on you tube forever.

[@LeopoldoNotarianni-rk9vv]

Indeed

[@tonxbezzina7015]

I think I will go in the garage and give my ZD Fairlane a hug 😢

[@runslaTe]

same mate ..just gave my Tickford a pat on the arse

[@jasondallas7147]

And I'll give my BA Futura wagon a polish tomorrow

[@chrisskater1649]

I just told my EL XR that I love her! Hahaha.

[@catey62]

Dont ever sell it. please.

[@joelbibleminorprophet3411]

My old falcon, driven daily.

[@dimadee]

This is a short sighted injustice inflicted on the Australian public by the collective political lemmings in Canberra. Soon enough the Government starts talking about a skills shortage.....that's what the motor industry delivered. I learnt my trade and so many skills during the 21 years I worked for Holden. There is now a hole in the heart of Australia. Thanks t Shannons for making such a comprehensive tribute to one of the industries which our country was built on.

[@lobsterwhisperer7932]

with farmers you have great visuals, you can win elections..not so the car industry.

[@jonpav6224]

I'm a big believer in value adding. We need the skills and framework that creates. We should be objective as to how other countries cultivate and protect their industries. CSIRO has done great things for Australia, so did local manufacturing. Generally speaking those jobs were also secure and fairly paid.

[@vortex925]

I remember watching all those ads, i always remember the hatred you either bleed blue or red in a household but now after manufacturing has stopped i look at that era with so much more respect no matter what badge it wears

[@h3llcat356]

(Before video) "I am not going to cry" (After video) *sobbing while hugging my AU XR6 Falcon*

[@judechopper]

au xr8s known for braking valve springs and bending valves. the 6 is better.

[@patbai6331]

Your a good man Shane what an epic tribute

[@dmax1479]

I want to build my own car out of anger now. Thanks Shane Jacobson for a great series

[@jrbuch]

Watching the end of this episode was tough. So many memories in so many different cars. Cars I had, my friends had, parents, grandparents etc. Lazer, P76, Commodore, Commodore Ute, Magna Camry, Falcon. All brought back memories - good times, adventures etc. At least the aftermarket scene for car parts in Australia is still strong. And there's plenty of enthusiasts to keep them going.

[@PaulStewartAviation]

Geez that montage as the end was a tear jerker. Like watching the last Qantas 747 leave for the last time.

[@touchmynuggetballs7302]

That was a fitting tribute to car manufacturing in Australia, no matter what brand you follow we all lost a big part of our identity

[@MrWilliam.Stewart]

Great series, well researched, produced and presented. I believe most of us know in our hearts why volume car manufacturing ceased here, but few would like to admit it.

[@americarsqueensland1667]

That was an excellent 4 part series, yes indeed, well done Shannons. Oh and please upload the End of An Era song by Paul Patto and Si Bell.

[@roslynweidemann9487]

Very well documented Shane, it made me 😭broke my 💔 too. I've never owned a imported car. I come from a Ford family, my father drove Ford all his life. My 1st car was a XB hardtop Fairmont, automatic transmission, my 2nd was a XB 4door, column auto, my 3rd car was a XA 1971 351 GT, pwr steering, 4spd toploader, factory fitted sunroof, white leather trim, Calypso green, my run about was a XE falcon column auto, then EL falcon, then AU Fairmont with the Ticford engine automatic automatic & now I'm driving one of last AU Fairmont wagon. Made in Australia. The best of them all is my GT, nothing comes close to the V8 4 valve per cylinder engine 351 Cleveland. I've never. I will never own imported cars & I must say, the GT turns more heads than BMW or Mercedes. Onlookers are even more amazed when they see me, a female getting in, out & driving the GT🇦🇺👍🇦🇺👍

[@rodneymcgiveron]

A lot of people blame the AU for a loss of sales .So sad that in fact the AU has proven time and again as one of the great Falcons on the back of class leading engineering for it's day . Anywhere you go in Australia you still see them doing their job all the time and one of the great comments is "The AU Falcon will outlast religion " . It was the shock jock media that crucified the AU on looks alone , particularly on the Series 1 base model ..Great series was this though via Shannons ..Thanks for that .

[@michaelmarshall1713]

It was ugly pure and simple.

[@allouttagum4919]

Does greatly

[@slimshady2777]

Base vt looks ugly now .. au looks modern still

[@DJignyte]

An engineering marvel, but best admired with a paper bag on it's head.

[@auzzieworker5183]

Yep the AU did its job better than any falcon since. I've driven them all and I own an AU

[@OZZYxcon_GTSR1000hp]

Only just seen this now and wow 😢😢 such a awesome thing to see how far we come so sad to There will be no more Ford and Holden and I’m lucky to get the last HSV VF GTSR and will never sell it and will be pass down to my son to keep the dream alive Long live Ford and Holden‘s 🙌👍🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺❤️❤️❤️

[@garyrielly1955]

I am 65 and I was brought up on Holden and Ford Falcons, and after watching this video fighting back the tears. We Australian’s and New Zealander’s have lost out on a car industry that we will never ever see again. I still own a Holden Adventra LX8 and I have owned Falcons in the past as well as they too were a good car. Shane is right in saying that we are all to blame for the demise of our local car industry, in buying foreign built cars. Our Federal Government have also played a very big part as well by removing subsidies and dropping tariffs on foreign vehicles, when foreign countries are heavily subsidising car manufacturers in their respective countries to protect their car industry. The Australian car industry was abandoned by it’s Government and it’s parent company GM, and Ford.

[@peterlaustra2892]

If Australia is to have a new car industry it should not be owned by any foreign company such as Ford ,G.M,or Toyota, It should be a locally designed and built car ; Come to think of it,Some body should re-design an upscale 21st century version of the LIghtburn Zeta.....

[@PaulStewartAviation]

This is fantastic and a pity I've only discovered it. I grew up obsessed with Fords (and the battle with the evil Holdens) and it's sad that kids won't get to experience that rivalry now. I still have no idea how I got into Fords since I became interested in cars in 1998 when the AU was released but alas FTE, T Series and eventually the BA and Territory made for a fascinating battle with the General. I still remember the excitement of the 300+ Coupe, R5 and R7 concept cars at the Melb International Car show. Those were the days. And end of an era. :( Thanks for producing this!

[@aussiesean5140]

Such a wonderfully done documentary and yet being a true car enthusiasts this makes you cry your heart and soul for a legacy long gone but no to be ever forgotten.

[@AusMossy]

Well done to all involved (in spite of that theme song). Shane Jacobsen was a great choice as host and that was a moving finale to an excellent series. Australia will long regret losing our manufacturing industries, especially motor vehicles.

[@LurkMoar101]

Yeah, that theme song. Im cringing just thinking about it.

[@bmcshane80]

My Old Man (RIP) had an Adventurer. Bought it new. V8, Dark Blue, Black Leather Interior, Roof racks the lot. He LOVED that car, he was hated having to sell it. Lot of good memories.

[@kournikovac2625]

There are not many things that can make me cry, but this was definitely my eyes flow like a waterfall. What a great series! Thank you ! What a shame Australians didn’t see the importance of buying locally. I love my Holden VU SS and Falcon FG XR6 and plan to keep them for quite some while - especially the VU SS. Long live Australia

[@liamandrewartha4803]

I was too young to play my part for the most of it, growing up in a household of imported cars I purchased an FG-X falcon from a dealership when I could, too little too late though for Australian manufacturing.

[@frankinz2995]

This is why I saved for 3 years and bought the last V8 Commodore. Best decision ever. RIP Aussie Cars

[@garynew9637]

Onya🏅

[@murraycharters6102]

@frankinz2995. Very smart move. Not only a beautiful car to own and drive but if you ever do sell it you will get back more than you paid for it. I own and drive a 2016 Holden Calais VF series 2, purchased it 4 years ago with 81,000 km on the clock. Apart from normal service it has never had anything wrong with it. I love the colour, Prussian steel, and it drives like a dream. Similar models are selling for more today than I paid for it four years ago.

[@CurtisLSA]

good choice and keep her !

[@phatmat641]

This made me cry, Australia you have my biggest and upmost respect. It is truly a damn shame got the car manufacturing companies walked away from you all and left a big void. I hope that one day someone down there will find it in them to bring back the automotive Manufacturing arm of Australia.

[@mvnorsel6354]

The Australian public walked away from sedans.

[@graemeeamens9891]

Great series and narration Shane. Lived thru the release of every model featured as my Dad had new company Holdens and then Valiants every 2 yrs from 1960 on plus we had a yellow family FJ. Despite the hype of the space available in the 1970s Falcons and Commodores, I think the fuel economy, lower price and better features of Mitsubishi Sigmas and Magnas took a lot of sales. The same applied when Korean imports came on board in the 2000s while the smaller cars from Holden and Ford were not in the same class for reliability or performance. While I appreciate lots of us would have loved a Monaro or Ford GT, they became very expensive and with the V8 Supercar races they lost their link to everyday motorists, unlike the earlier Bathurst era of the 1960s to 1980. Still to have Governments kill off Aussie made cars is a real tragedy esp considering other countries subsidised their own car manufacturers and are still in business.

[@chrismacca1]

Thanks Shannons and all involved in this stirring series; bloody well done!

[@michaelrepanti8049]

After watching this video. I will look at my 2005 GTO with a different eye & a whole new respect Thank You Auzzie's !!!!!!

[@roryalgate872]

Must admit I had a little cry watching that...what a history of all brands.....but most of all RIP Ford....you made some special cars and contributed to Australia from 1925....thanks to all the worker's that made all these cars from all brands....I have 4 amazing Falcons and thank you for making them....😥

[@mick2231]

This was great to watch and should be broadcast across Australia except not many people care unfortunately. But i loved it and thanks to everyone who helped to make this series and thank you to the people who designed, created and sold these cars to us all. Thanks

[@twentyrothmans7308]

*not many people care unfortunately* And that is why they folded.

[@ColinVanderheide]

I just the whole series and it was fantastic .... certainly rekindled a lot of memories and emotions. Especially the last Five minutes of this show ... It actually put a lump in my throat and a tear rolled down my cheek. Mas me so angry as to how the Australian Corporate Government has killed manufacturing in Australia .... As I have often stated, the Australian Government does not care about Australia or Australians.

[@insidethedcoachingtraining3071]

Had to watch this again after Holden closing down this week in Australia. Part 4 is the best, the last 10mins got me 😢Great series Shannon’s 👍

[@Figgsjam]

Great series guys, would love to see car manufacturing return to Australia in my life time. Heres hopeing #bringbackaussiecars

[@jasoncarpp7742]

I agree. I'd buy an Aussie tested, developed, and built car if it were available here in the USA. Our roads, while relatively smooth next to Australia's roads, have rough areas that would shake a car to pieces if everything wasn't assembled correctly.

[@burnout9069]

Who knows. With the rise of e-cars, we may see a small biz grow out of it. We have the smarts for it. Though, I'd think assembly on a huge scale would have to be offshore or be swollowed up.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

@@burnout9069 I think it can be done. It's been done before. Why should everything be done off shore, and by another country? Why can't Australians build their own products? :(

[@burnout9069]

@@jasoncarpp7742 We definitely could do it. That's been proven, no doubt. The cost of manufacturing here will be the challenge. And with so few willing to back an enterprise here, I believe it would struggle to build momentum, thus in turn, turn around with enough development to keep buyers happy. Motorcycle and scooters would be one area I'd focus on first.

[@jasoncarpp7742]

@@burnout9069 Why aren't people willing to support such an enterprise?

[@frucklerbullpit]

I don't think anyone else could have done a better job of hosting this series than Shane Jacobson! Well done mate!

[@TheLuke2reeve]

You only just held it together at the end Shane! Bloody thanks for this series. RIP Aussie manufacturing. It’s a damn shame!

[@ronjardine2802]

What a great series. Congratulations to Shannons and Shane Jacobson.

[@catey62]

Somehow...some way I need to get my hands on an old Holden. I miss all the ones I owned so much. and yep..hard to hold the tears back. :-( and many thanks Shannons for producing this series, have loved watching it all.

[@richiegreer4494]

Shame on the Australian government. What a fantastic presentation. 👍

[@stevenkorezelidis804]

WOW what a perfect representations of Australia, well done Shannons, I also need to mention Shane is a true Aussie figure in our culture to be behold, a true talent I wish to see in our continuing evolution of our land we call Australia, good on Ya Shane!

[@SparkZ1420]

Owner of a 2006 Pontiac GTO, just wanna thank you Aussies for such a great car. (Monaro)

[@bigears4426]

Australia shouldn't become a importer , we need skills and jobs , and industries. No hope for so many young australians

[@johnsergei]

All government policy. The Grace Comission to remove manufacturing from developed countries (with Australia suffering worse than most) & @ the same time. The railways (then government & the nations largest trainer & employer) started really shedding staff. Resault? We are almost there. & any job, apart from low paid shit that imagrants do, will have dozens, if not hundreds of applications.

[@jam795hot5]

disappointing

[@johnsergei]

Hay Ears? Most people don't get if somebody remains unempoyed or on the DSP, & many marginally dissabled people got it, simply because by the 80s most low skilled work was dissapearing), they contribute less to the community than someone who became a petty crim. (any sort of crime, even say drug abuse, even if the don't harm anobody) Police, courts, doctors, jailers & that huge army of security guards that didn't exist 50 years ago, have mortgages (or they rent, paying somebody elses), car loans & credit cards too you know. & the fact that this crime (which is great for the economy) is also kept hidden. Accross the nation, car jacking & home invasions (by strangers) happened a few times a decade. Now, it's a few times a week. Aaaaand,,, as for the economic bulshit we live under? Just ask Bill Hicks (the my pick of the political funny's is George Carlin, voting & the environment, "gewwd"

[@judechopper]

there all nepelese now

[@coopsnz1]

@@johnsergei well people paid alot in Australia because of our consumption tax very high = higher price

[@andyreade5700]

Well done, a fantastic summary of all that is TRUE about what the Australian car was. I worked at Holden Eliz plant, spoke proudly to the media on the last day about the pride and passion, the mateship. Few companies can boast about their employees feelings for the company they work for and the product that they make.

[@abrahamkyriazis1804]

Well done to Shannon's on a great video. Dead set had to hold back the tears after that. My LH SLR and VE SS will always be by my side. Love the old holdens. Cheers.

[@docdeth5146]

Apart of Australia died when we stopped vehicle manufacturing in Australia. Bloody shame glad i got my piece of Holden History history.

[@DoctorDARKSIDE]

I am italian, been here for a decade and immediately felt home, with music from loud and proud V8s and screaming 6s made in Australia. Slowly, it all feels quieter and an Aussie V8 at the lights is an event to celebrate as a reminder that this wonderful part of the world is only resting, but shall return to scream.

[@johnston9051]

Great presentation. Successive Australian government policies of favouring imported products and mass Immigration for votes has stripped Australia of our national pride and sovereignty which was what had kept our locally made cars at the top of the sales charts in Australia for so many years. These and other government policies which are mentioned in this article crushed the Australian car industry and way of life. Thank goodness for the enthusiasts and proud Australians like this presenter that some of these great cars will be still around for us to enjoy for years to come.

[@michaelh8344]

Absolutely fantastic, extremely well done, hats of to Shannons and Mr Jacobson.

[@stevenpiralis9889]

Bitter sweet at some stage throughout my life i have owned many Holdens from Hq all the way to vf. My uncle worked at Gmh fishermans bend from 1953 all the way to 1995. 42 yrs at one company. He got me a job there in 94 i worked there for over 10 years going back there again in the late 2000s.. Lots of fond memories and friendships.. I loved working there. 😊

[@totalrecall8385]

Wow what an absolute shame! The death of the best built cars in the world.....

[@pushrodtv6623]

What an awesome series 👍🏻definitely moving towards the end of this episode Australia has lost something great

[@DM-xe7pk]

Thanks for a great recap and a tear in my eye.Ill treasure my fg xr6 turbo the barra.

[@lukek370]

One of the best series i've watched. Well done to everyone that helped create this.

[@jasonkleinhanss4681]

Brings a tear to your eye

[@wheelsxr4613]

FG Ford Falcon info is not correct! Ford Falcon FG Mk1 (2008) was the first aussie manufactured car to receive a 5 star ANCAP rating - not FG Mk2 (2011) as stated by Shane @ 22:05

[@leoesposito8762]

Shane is spot on it really is the end of a era the kids of today will never know what it will be like to work in a big car manufacturing plant never just memories now..

[@mickeydee3595]

Anybody who blames automotive unions for the downfall of the australian car manufacturing industry should be made to watch this episode. You can thank the Government for the killing and downfall of Australian made vehicle.

[@68404]

Unions had PLENTY to do with it too

[@michaelmarshall1713]

Too damn right .

[@slimshady2777]

Unions did deals to screw australians out of the jobs they once had . . The public face of the unions was to support workers .. the private face was to slowly get rid of industry without the workforce resisting too much .. labor took the working class votes and shafted them in return . .they sold the country out to china starting in the 70s and accelerating through the 90s with people like paul keating saying "we are part of asia". .translation : here china come take the australian continent, its yours for the right price

[@michaelmarshall1713]

@@slimshady2777 Yes Keating has a lot to answer for but will never be held to it.

[@nottodaybuddy370]

I'm assuming you are talking about Aussie unions. The USA unions were the problem, with unrealistic pension deals that forced both GM and Ford to skim all profit from the Aussie arms to try to make up their local deficit. The fact Aussie unions did not call out the American unions for their part is nothing short of disgusting socialist bullshit, let alone demand that profits made here, are used to benefit here, rather than rely upon government handouts!

[@terryjackson4538]

Watched this during breaks while working on my partners Kombi (Clayton built). Now i'm gunna have to go hug my Monaro.

[@s3tTz]

I may have a lowly LPG VF Commodore Evoke wagon, but by god it’s the best car I’ve owned, and I hope it’s the last car that I’ll ever own.

[@CurtisLSA]

keep her for ever !

[@kirkc9643]

This is absolutely fantastic and should be on prime-time TV.

[@markperkins8858]

this was very well done the end part was very moving Shane Jacobson was almost in tears this was some bloody sad shit it really was fuck me

[@chrismacca1]

Thanks Shannons and all involved in this stirring series; bloody well done!

[@d_zamb573]

Absolutely moving series. As someone who is still grieving this was fantastic. Well done and thank you. I must admit, as a huge LPG fan, I did almost cry when you mentioned the LPI falcon but showed the old mixer style gas engine bay

[@boldorboy08]

Well done shannons. Great series.

[@flhharley90]

I loved my VE wagon, best car I ever owned until some clown wrote it off for me, but because I was only on a contract, no one would loan me the money to cover the difference to get another one & yes I was in tears as I grew up with most of those cars & I drove most cars produced after 1975. I wish I kept my VH SLE 2 tone with the 4.2 but I will be looking around for an earlier holden or ford as soon as the new garage is built. Great series Shannon.

[@jimpetrou5556]

Brilliant series, well executed and picked the right person to tell the story. I hope future generations see what we had and what great cars we made. We lost a huge part of our Australian manufacturing knowhow and expertise. The final scenes of part 4 was quite painful to watch, I could see and feel host Shane's emotion coming through. Thank you.

[@SparkZ1420]

God bless Aussie built cars. Thank you so much for my 06 Pontiac GTO. R.I.P. Holden and Pontiac. Friendly Aussie car loving American

[@CurtisLSA]

Still have mine going strong !

[@metalmaster76]

Been wAiting for this one for ages!! I truely believe the 2000-2017 was the last of the great motorcars

[@metalmaster76]

MDS sorry didn’t mean to offend the over 60’s senior citizens. What I meant to say, if you had read, was that 2000-2017 was the last OF the great motorcars, not the greatest cars (as that is subjective) but certainly the last of the great cars. As that statement implies anything coming in the future will not be great by virtue of barely having a motor

[@_____7704]

Might not have been the prettiest car on the planet, but the AU will go down as the most reliable Falcon, Ford has ever made. Anyone who has owned one will agree.

[@jrbuch]

Not going to disagree with you there. Owned an ex taxi AU with over 800,000k's on it - took it to outback in NSW. It coped brilliantly with 40 degree heat, dust, dirt and poor roads without any problems at all, with ice cold aircon. That thing got us back to Melbourne and never left us stranded even after we put it through hell.

[@simont1299]

Great series. Thanks for making it. I think that the lack of quality is ultimatly what made people move to impoted brands. I have a 2004 Elantra that is in better condition with less things broken than my 2009 FG. There was also the need to move away from our "bogan" roots and these cars were seen as the ultimate statement of boganism. But I think the government could have done alot more to encourage buy local. Its sad that my kids will never know what its like to have a car industry.

[@simont1299]

@@burnout9069 agree entirely. Consequences of an isolated bubble.

[@justinmark771]

Great video and series, hats off to everyone involved. 👏🏼

[@trentpooley7020]

Absolutely brilliant series well done and top bloke. Well done

[@GhostOfRT300]

✨Awesome, just awesome. This is a really well-researched and presented series looking back at the history of Aussie car makers. Highly recommended viewing. 👍🏼 🇦🇺 🏁🚘🏁

[@frankiesultana3743]

Thank you for a great series

[@LurkMoar101]

I've owned and driven Holdens only for 30 years, from HQs through to the VF. Im still a tad salty over the way the whole situation was handled but I will forever be a Holden fan due to the 70s to 90s era memories. I was extremely sad when Ford shut down its operations, purely because they were the fabled arch enemy of Holden and I couldnt imagine any other rivalry being as exciting. on and off the track. This was a fantastic, but very sombre, series I must say, there was a hint of tears in the end I will admit. I wish I could go back knowing what I know now.

[@dragpix]

very well done to the people behind this series, totally amazed.

[@mitmac007]

Well said Shane, cant see for the tears at the moment. Gonna keep my Crewman now. Best dual cab ever made.

[@lachytragardh8244]

I'll never forget the shock when I heard the news! My first car: 1973 XA Falcon Hardtop, second car: 1977 Toyota Celica GT Liftback, third car: 1975 VJ Valiant Charger, current car: ...... 2002 Holden CV8 Monaro. I never took the opportunity to get that last photo at the Holden Service Center before they pulled down the Iron Lion logo - My only regret! 😢

[@davidworthington2927]

I am a FORD man through and through and have an AU Tickford XR8, a BF F6 and an FG-X XR8 Sprint and it makes me sad to my core that Aussie classics are gone. I will keep my Aussie girls going and will not buy imported ... no new cars for me. I morn for all the Aussie brands including my Holden mates :(

[@simonmillar9161]

Great series and there is plenty of fans here over the ditch in New Zealand keeping the memories alive as well

[@wiljensadventures4425]

Great series, watched the whole 4 episodes, thanks. Like the rest of my Aussie Compatriots I’m sad to see the end of Australian Car manufacturing. Never much of a Holden Fan (though I thought the Torana's and Monaro's were cool) I’ve owned quite a few Fords and Chrysler Valiants during my 33 years of driving. Superbird, Landau Coupes, VH Pacer, 318 Regal, multiple ZF, ZG , V8 Fairlane's, Sundowner Panelvan and a few other random Oz built vehicles. The true fault of the Australian Car Industries demise lies with the multinationals (Ford, GM, Chrysler, Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi) & the various Aussie Governments, Labor, Liberal, plus minor parties, they all proved to be incompetent . THE FAULT DOES NOT LIE WITH THE AUSTRALIAN MOTORING PUBLIC who gave 100% support with tax concessions and purchasing Australian made vehicle with their own money over nearly a century. The reason there is no longer an Australian Car Manufacturing Industry is because the Multinational Vehicle Manufactures and Australian Governments were to slow to adapt to the market then gave up on us when their products weren’t practical to the mainstream Aussie. Now is the time to reinvent Australian Manufacturing with purely Aussie owned Companies, the new era of EV's has arrived, we should restart & get on the Electric Vehicle program. Personally I’ll never buy a new foreign Holden, Ford or Chrysler they let us down. Thanks for coming & Good bye...

[@danozism]

Great series, well done. It was really quite moving at the end there. I will restore a classic old Aussie car one day (maybe an SLE?) and hold up my end of the deal. "-)

[@leopoldonotarianni8663]

My favourite Fords.... Customline, XP Falcon, ZA-ZD Fairlane, P5 & P6 LTD, Cortina Ghia and S Pack TE and TF, XE Fairmont Ghia ESP 5.8 V8, EF EL Fairmont Ghia V8, BA GT P, BA Fairlane G220 V8, and Capri GT. Not a Holden man but I don't mind the FE-FC Holden, FB-EK, EH Premier, HK Monaro GTS, HQ Monaro LS, LX Torana SS Hatch and VK Calais Director. Chrysler favourites include R & S Series Valiant, AP5-6 Regal , VC Valiant Regal or V8, VF Valiant Regal 770 318 V8, Chrysler by Chrysler, Regal 770 VH, Charger 770 & R/T, CL Regal Le Baron, CM Regal SE....

[@7071t6]

I remember that WB commercial, 1/4 miles test to try to sell a large luxury car yet it 1/4 mile times were under 15's. LOL :) thank you for this upload and i hope ford and holden get their act together and start to import cars which are worthy of australians, after all HSV is doing it and now anyone with the right connections can do it and compete with HSV ? Now everyone is bidding to be the first Australian all electric car, thats where the next generation is going and they will be looking at cars which used to run on gasoline and say why on earth did they ever make cars that ran on crude oil based fuel and then the maintenance again oil for this and for that, so many people around the world for over 3 generations got super rich because of oil and gussaline, its mad max time soon people ??

[@alexcoslovich7009]

Brilliantly conceived and presented series!

[@jasonlyons7329]

That was a bit of a tearjerker in the end is it Destiny or does anybody else notice our culture dissolving before our very eyes 👀 ????

[@kylehorton2075]

Crazy to think these cars I've lived my whole life with, are a thing of the past. The first car I ever rode in, home from the hospital in which I was born was a VL Turbo. The first car I ever drove when on my Ls, a VR Statesman. And to now, where I own my first, all-aussie, locally built Ford, my FPV F6 Typhoon. Sad times to say the least, but at least we have these memories that are unique to us, and us only as Aussies.

[@ToughGarage]

Got me right in the feels guys. Fantastic series.

[@livingthedream0527]

Came across this randomly, was expecting a dad trying youtube things level of quality. But was pleasantly surprised, and educated. As kid was obsessed with these models of holden’s... neat to know the details around them.

[@maxrockatanksyOG]

Bought my FG MK2 XR6 non turbo manual 3 years ago, will be keeping it until i leave this spinning rock. Always been a Ford Oz man; XD ex NSW highway patrol BA XT ex police duty sedan BF MK2 XR8 6 spd manual (later swapped a GT500 engine into it, and was my first brand new car ever) FPV Tornado No. 20 FG MK2 XR6 N/A manual

[@frucklerbullpit]

I thought Shane was going to drop to his knees at the end and shake a fist at the sky yelling/asking god WHY???!!!?

[@robkeogh4593]

Theres a BA GTP and a CV8Z in the shed. When i walk back out there later on to look them over I'll feel the pride of owning 2 Aussie weapons. Both great cars in their own right. Proud to have Aussie know how and workmanship ready to rip up the road. It'll be worth the bloody speeding tickets

[@hammeredhemi1223]

How sad, yes ultimately we as consumers are part to blame, but so so so many more factors came into play here that at the end of the day it was nothing more than greed by the corporations and a government that was such a soft touch that killed it all.

[@johnmay6090]

Well done Shannons. Great documentary series.

[@cameronvanhooft]

You know what's really sad? I own a SY MKII Territory, my dad owns an FGX XR8 and my mum owns a FG MKII XR6. If all families followed my path and didn't buy as many imports than Australia would be a very different place today.

[@chrissmith9854]

I’m proud to say that I have 3 great Australian made cars in my garage..and only more Australian made cars to come..this still won’t make ford or holden build there iconic cars again..just keep my thirst for Aussie fast cars..V8 Fairmont, BF xr6T, FG xr6, and soon VY clubsport..

[@Reefari]

Some great aussie Cars, Love the HSV And HDT's, Now cost more than ever!!

[@georgewinters3191]

Great series and top content and narration Shane. Thank you.