Ep. 25 World Tour: The History of the Australian Car Industry

Welcome to part two of the this five part World Tour. In this episode, a classic car connaisseur gives you an overview of what crazy cars were made down under! Hooroo!
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Enjoy!

[@attila_the_fun]

Your attempt at an Australian accent was both endearing, hilarious, and better than most. Especially with the accurate use of the C-Bomb. You sounded just like a Boer who's been living on the north side of Brisbane for a decade or 2, which makes a lot of sense lol.

[@anthonyhunt701]

Ed… I love your channel❤new subscriber here🤘🏻

[@TheKnobCalledTone.]

For a Dutch bloke, you did a pretty good job of summing up Australia's former automotive industry. Even with the minor errors/omissions that that the other Australians have pointed out in the comments feed already. Look forward to seeing more of these World Tour episodes.

[@_Cheko_]

yes despite his crippling disability of being Dutch he did an alright job

[@CaymanIslandsCatWalks]

Yeah it's even better when you going sexual innuendos onto his Instagram. Dutch people have better English than English people. And and are way smarter. True story

[@Neilios1000]

I was impressed by his spot on use of old Australian slang. If you're reading this Ed, it earned you a subscribe.

[@napierpaxman]

@@CaymanIslandsCatWalks Dont Be critizisaing my elnglish! :D

[@Neilios1000]

@@liberals_destroy_everythin2497 Having only been born in the 70s, don't take what I say as gospel, but I'll answer as honestly as I can. I believe we did get all the anti-polution gear added, and the oil crisis did lead to people buying smaller cars. Namely Japanese cars. In the late 70s, Holden replaced their full size Kingswood model with the Commodore, which was a noticeably smaller car, but it had all the same engine options as the Kingswood. But I think they may have been revised versions of those engines. Ford kept going with its full sized Falcon, and almost overnight taxi fleets changed from being mainly Kingswoods to mainly Falcons. Eventually the Commodore grew in size to match the size of the Falcon, like the Kingswood had previously. As for fuel, I don't think out fuel was ever as cheap as the US, but neither was it ever as expensive as in Europe. Australia was well and truly using unleaded by the time I started driving in the mid-90s, and I remember paying around 54c a litre. The difference there being our standard unleaded was 91RON, where as in the US I believe it's 89. Hope this helps. Other Australians, correct and expand where necessary.

[@mikevale3620]

As an Aussie and an owner of an Aussie muscle car (Chrysler) I think from afar you did an excellent job of explaining the Aussie motor industry to the world. BIG TICK!

[@allysonhanks7367]

Hello Mike, how are you. I hope you are staying safe and also having a nice weather.

[@user-ik4in3pq2f]

Valiant? I got my first car (valiant cl) not to long ago and I love it

[@allan-shephard]

As an Aussie, I loved this. I cannot believe you dropped the C-bomb in there in an Aussie accent! 3:04 Haha. Another awesome vid Ed. I always look forward to your content.

[@craig3916]

lol . yeah that was hilarious. and waaaay unexpectecd i think he gets away with that cause its only aussies who knows what it means. and how big a slap on the face your gonna get if your ever stoopid enuf to decide to drop that in front of your mum. (or more than a slap if your dads there with her)

[@HonourableHusband]

Ed, you’re right. The Australian automotive industry is a fascinating study. Some government intervention was highly successful, and others not. Button, at the time, was quoted as saying that in hindsight, he didn’t think Australia should have developed a domestic car industry in the postwar years at all. Sad, because there were enormous elements of creativity and exceptional design (the XD Falcons, especially, won design awards). The Australian market was unique: it demanded decently powered large cars that could tow trailers-which, contrary to the 80s/90s trend, meant keeping rear wheel drive. At the same time, Australia was a right-hand-drive market-unlike, say, the United States, one of the few other places on earth with large car, rear-wheel drive demand. This meant Australia was pretty much on its own to make right hook, rear drive cars. Impossible to export. Personally, I think what really killed domestic demand was the advent of the all-wheel-drive SUV, like the Land Cruiser, which has a distinctive history in Australia, as you know. Powerful and great for towing, they were already engineered for right hand drive versions in Japan thanks to Asian markets. That meant shrinking Australian demand for a rear drive towing vehicle of the kind which enjoyed a natural protection from overseas competition. I worked for the Australian car industry in its heyday, so if you’d like to chat, HMU. Keep up the exceptional work. (BTW, Australians say the Bathurst One Thousand, rather than the Bathurst Thousand. No biggie.)

[@michaelleoanrd194]

Thanks for your comment. I've always looked at the Australian car industry with a bit of fascination from the US and it makes perfect sense why they had so much trouble exporting now. I always wondered why they didn't market as mid-tier brands in Europe or the US.

[@deadthroughout]

Thats a lot of words

[@Low760]

@@michaelleoanrd194 more interestingly. The falcon until 1988 was more or less the same platform from the xr falcon/mustang, and in America they did Multiple cars on the same platform through the 70s leading to the Fairmont. And Australia did a much better job developing the straight 6, the American version became a 4 Cyl even.

[@coolhandluke1503]

The XD won design awards? What were they, the straightest box award and the brownest brown award?

[@cmbaileytstc]

Honestly, every country should have a native auto and everything else industry as far as possible and governments should ensure that condition by any means necessary. That way you don’t wind up unable to repair the people’s vehicles if a canal gets blocked or a bad flu breaks out in a dictatorship. And in stupidly big countries like the USA different *regions* should be self sufficient also. Long before “globalism” was a word families and communities were being torn apart by the need to move thousand of miles to follow the jobs. This is bad even if you nominally are still in the same nation.

[@eacobra]

Here in Brazil we had a similar situation. The Brazilian Aero Willys, Jeep Rural (Willys Jeep Station Wagon), Dodge Dart, Ford Maverick and Chevrolet Opala (Opel Rekord) have undergone adaptations to the national market. Ford bought Willys do Brasil and manufactured the Ford Corcel, an adaptation of the Renault 12. Chevrolet manufactured the Brazilian C10 with its own design. VW manufactured the Vw Gol, a Brazilian project. Add to that government interference and ethanol engines.

[@luancurty42]

👍👍👍👍

[@allanoliveira4139]

Don't forget Gurgel!

[@0783155]

Because in Brazil 70% of parts used must've been made in Brazil. I was professionally involved in DAF coming to Brazil and it was quite challenging sometimes to find the right suppliers for everything.

[@gabrielv.4358]

@@allanoliveira4139 |Sure!! THE gENIUS

[@gabrielv.4358]

This will be an amazing episode!

[@ando8262]

omg lol hands Ed a vegemite sandwich for his impersonation of us.

[@randomdude4669]

Besides him saying the yankie uhssie and menero 10/10

[@born2grill86]

😭 its beautiful

[@JamesSmith-wn6ws]

I was in tears, spot on.

[@1984xlx]

Being an American motorhead, I've always been fascinated by Australian cars built by the American manufacturers. You can see some family resemblance in many of them, yet they are distinctly Australian. What really peaked my interest were the Mad Max movies, showcasing some of those vehicles. One of these days, I'd love to import an Australian Falcon to the US. It would be a huge hit at the local car shows!

[@Wayne_155]

YES!! Mad Max was my first favourite movie because of it being exciting from the beginning to the end. Though I didn't like the mother and rugrat being killed ☮ from 🇨🇦

[@mikevale3620]

I'm absolutely certain an Aussie muscle car from either of the Big 3 would be a sensation in the US and I believe some have already left our shores, but they are an appreciating asset worth up to $1 million here in AU.

[@Wayne_155]

@@mikevale3620 I'd love to get my hands on an Aussie muscle car. Automotive history up here in Canada. They had some cool designs

[@AUmarcus]

I pretty sure some of the late 50's and early 60's chevys (impalas/bel airs) were assembled here too....I recall seeing alot of them on the roads here as a child.

[@johnd8892]

@@Wayne_155 Until about 1962, most cars that looked like US car model sold here were assembled from Canadian parts due to Commonwealth country favourable import tax rates. Our early model T Ford's were mostly Canadian. Cars like the Pontiac Parisienne and further back my father had a Maple Leaf truck.

[@bodgiesteve8849]

As an Australian enthusiast, and owner of a 1954 FJ Holden, I think your video was actually quite accurate. Some minor details, but very well researched. Also, the Japanese used Australia as a test bed for marketing in western countries. Also highlights the perils of government interference. Also I personally blame Mark Reuss, for dismantling the Hanenberger plan, as Holden CEO, and then dismantaling Holden, as "New GM" board member.

[@ivokiller2000intel]

Here in argentina we had something like AMI, it was called IKA and produced from Jeeps, to Renaults and even an Alfa model, later they tried to make their own car which ended up in the company being sold to Renault

[@welshlyn9097]

I think they a few of them on the Falklands.

[@ivokiller2000intel]

@@welshlyn9097 Maybe, as far as i know the "cars" they took to the conflict were only Ford Falcons as they were the most popular in the armed forces, on the other hand some Torino served as police cars so there´s a chance some made it there

[@welshlyn9097]

@@ivokiller2000intel what you done to my friends from top gear ⚙️ i will never never for give you lot

[@piglos]

Detail point, the 48-215 was informally known as the FX, the FJ was introduced in 1953. But I love your channel, you are doing an awesome job

[@Low760]

Quite an important point too. And they used the codes in Opposite direction until the hd

[@NemoThorx]

Pedantically, I believe "FX" was a dealer code for a mid-model suspension upgrade, meaning there is 48-215, then so-called FX, then FJ :)

[@jackbarrie6007]

The 48 215 got the name f.x. by norm beechy. The race car driver his 48 .215.was painted sky blue with two two inch.wide white strips across the middle of the car from the grill to the boot.💯🇦🇺

[@jackbarrie6007]

@@NemoThorx wrong 🤭🤫🤔🇦🇺

[@adrianwilliamson6861]

@@jackbarrie6007 more importantly . Easter races at Bathurst. I think 1968. I was 14 and as we lived near the track myself and two brothers loved it. Just walked across sheep paddocks and we are in. Walking along the gravel track that took spectators to the top a two door merc pulled up and we all piled into the back seat. The driver said it was to help with traction getting up the steep gravel rd. We were of course VERY excited to be in such a fancy car. It soon turned to the best day of 3 small country boy's lives when he told us who he was!!! NORM! Stormin' Norman. He had crashed his car the day before (Monaro 327??) so was going up to watch from top of the track. off topic but greay memories!!

[@petervanhavermaat9839]

Oh my God! This is, hands down, one of the best channels on KZbin. Ed seriously has the perfect balance that is Informative and Entertaining. Cheers!

[@stuart8663]

Fun fact: on early maps, Australia was known as "New Holland".

[@Artman1]

"Defragged History" does a series on "The Batavia". Well worth a look.

[@raptorfromthe6ix833]

i still call it that

[@ripvanrevs]

@@raptorfromthe6ix833 We have a small section in my town in Ohio that we call the "new edition". It was developed in the early 60s!!

[@petergoose8164]

Mostly on Dutch maps. It had been called "Terra Australis" for centuries and to the credit of Matthew Flinders and the Brits who often chose imperial names for colonies remains so.

[@ronkennedy8676]

And New Holland was/is not made in Australia

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

3:04 🤣 Nailed it! And kudos for pronouncing Bathurst correctly 👍

[@je2338]

But follows it up with "thousand" instead of one thousand lol

[@emmetoconnor5105]

In the 1930s the Irish govt also created a car assembly industry through tariffs. It also led to spin off industries in making car batteries, seats, lights, and upholstery. The industry collapsed when Ireland joined the EEC.

[@L_T_Z]

RIP Australian automotive manufacturing

[@ojshah1228]

It was suck anyway

[@Coolsomeone234]

At least we be making the batteries now

[@collick100]

Loved your comment about Australia being the "bonus track" of the world. My father (an engineer) emigrated from the UK in the early sixties. I remember him being shocked on how technologically primitive the country was. We've come along way in sixty years.

[@weirdshibainu]

What kind of high tech industry do you have?

[@Elvis20101]

Electric Boomerangs

[@robertmorris6529]

@@Elvis20101 Where is the charge port , and what voltage does it take ? Hehe

[@je2338]

Australia is still technologically primitive. We have nothing here. We rely on immigration to bring in quick cashflow and support the aging population and on our natural resources. There is no incentive

[@jamesslick4790]

"Chrysler by Chrysler" is one of my favorite model names. I wonder how long they debated other names before just saying "The hell with it, It's a Chrysler made by Chrysler..".

[@VigilanteAgumon]

It's not too different from the Ferrari LaFerrari.

[@jamesslick4790]

@@VigilanteAgumon 🤔😳😝

[@JohnSmith-rw8uh]

@@VigilanteAgumon Ferrari has a different cachet and clientele

[@Elecks.]

Hoping to see more about the European car industry, but not the ones we all know. More info on FSO from Poland for example. Or even more lesser known industries.

[@steffenrosmus9177]

Like "Fuldamobil" for example?

[@user-gdxt-7399]

Like Greek NAMCO?

[@Sloop93]

I have always been fascinated by Australian cars, thanks for your video and greetings from Italy!

[@gourisankarmandal6733]

With you from 40k, you deserve a million subscribers with your balance between information and humor. Greetings from India.

[@Blippity_Bloop64]

As an American who's been collecting Aussie diecast cars for almost 20 years, I really got a kick out of this video. I knew about the earlier stuff, but not the massive amount of rebadging that took place later under "Button's Plan". My only critique ... why no mention of the Ford Falcon GT-HO Phase III? Seriously, though, this was awesome. Well done!

[@bashyamate2613]

Ik the phase III was the fastest 4 door sedan in the world when it came out and held the record for many years

[@stevewilliams7956]

Greetings from Sydney. Outstanding video, you've done a great job especially from the other side of the world. Only detail I could pick was the 48/215 was aka FX, the FJ was a light facelift with different grille and tail lights, 1953 introduction. Keep up the great work 👍

[@neilforbes416]

The 48-215 was *NOT* also known as "FX" except in the minds of the ignorant. The Holden 48-215 as known as just that, as 48-215 was the model's official* designation.

[@mikevale3620]

@@neilforbes416 I also noticed the discrepancy, however I think this is too much detail for the World stage and overall Ed produced a very good video considering he's not grown up with Aussie car culture as we have.

[@21stcenturyozman20]

@Andreas Andersson Quality was crap.

[@AUmarcus]

@@neilforbes416 It was known casually by Aussies as the FX mate. Relax.

[@je2338]

​@@21stcenturyozman20why was quality crap?

[@MustangsTrainsMowers]

Having spent a little over 6 months total in Australia in 3 trips in the years of 1985, 1999 and 2002 I learned a few things. If you travel there I have a few suggestions in order to avoid the Aussies giving you funny looks: The hood is the bonnet. The trunk is the boot. If you say trunk they are first thinking about an elephant. And if you are driving the Caah (the letter R is almost nonexistent) and you are in hurry you might get into the left front seat and ask yourself why the steering wheel isn’t in front of you. If you are homesick for American automotive things they have small block Chevy engines, Ford 302’s and the 300-6 though probably a lot less of them now. When you are driving yes it’s different to drive on the left side of the road. If you find yourself driving and you look to your right and the ditch or shoulder is close to your right you are on the wrong side of the road. Most of the Aussies are friendly. Aussie women like American guys. Fosters is what you drink only when you are stranded in the dessert and about to die from dehydration or you are so drunk that you don’t care what you are drinking. Vegemite is as common there as bottled water is in the US. It’s still a mystery to me why they like it so much.

[@isaacsrandomvideos667]

Same the uk in a few of them.

[@ripvanrevs]

I watch an Australian 4 wheel drive channel that loves to drink Iron Jack beer. They use the term "mickey mouse" a little different than we do!!

[@boydwalker161]

@@ripvanrevs Ok in what context is Mickey Mouse used?

[@aaronleverton4221]

@@boydwalker161 Something is crap, weak or poorly done if it described as being "micky mouse". Generally think of it as meaning "not serious".

[@boydwalker161]

@@aaronleverton4221 Oh I’ve heard Mickey Mouse used in that context here but not with the younger generations.

[@phor27]

The 48-215 Holden was nicknamed the FX not the FJ. FJ was the second model from Holden LOL @ the Chrysler by Chrysler reference. Great episode Ed. Top marks!

[@timcollins3484]

Nice pick up but in Victoria the FX was informally called the early series

[@phzitos_]

You should talk about the Volkswagen Air-cooled era, especially in Brazil. There were some really cool gems made here.

[@estebanvasquez2307]

He should talk about the whole history of VW Brazil, probably the only and greatest car maker of LATAM. The Gol and the Voyage are testament to that.

[@phzitos_]

@@estebanvasquez2307 Autolatina is also a special subject. For example, Volkswagen partnered with Ford and sold a Gol (which is based on an Audi) with an engine developed by Renault provided by Ford hahaha

[@DouglasB42]

@@phzitos_ Autolatina was a lovely weirdness... I still have a crush on the Versailles 😅

[@RyanMoran1992]

Ozzie here (with a Dutch background). Excellent video - would never know you weren’t Australian yourself, as everything, including cultural references, was quite accurate! My Dutch family were a holden family - opa swore by Kingswoods and wouldn’t drive anything else. I bucked that trend and currently own a ‘70 Dodge Phoenix which is basically a rhd plymouth fury. Very much a mediocre ‘luxury’ car (it was the model that preceded the Chrysler by Chrysler)

[@dextrodemon]

i think kingswoods are the most australian feeling car that you still see around, along with like a datsun 120y which idk if they even made them here but it feels v australian seeing them in a carpark or w/e

[@CJColvin]

The Aussie Muscle cars 🇦🇺 definitely looks really badass as well as the Aussie Muscle Utes which are badass Hotrods with roaring V8 engines.

[@wilbur9416]

I love the Twilight Zone opening. Great videos as usual thank you keep it up

[@Kneedragon1962]

About 9 minutes into that ~ before we leave the 48-215 ~ FJ, let's talk about the engine. At the end of WW1 - 1919, Chevrolet decided they wanted something like the Model T, but a bit bigger, to have an inline 6, and they started developing one. Don't ask me about the gearbox or diff, I'm only thinking about the engine. So they started with a 4 cyl that used most of the design cues of the time, displaced a bit over 2 litres, and then they grafted on 2 more cylinders, and then they messed and meddled with it and revised it and it went back to committees and... Finally, in 1929, they were confident enough of it to put it into production, and it was launched the same week as the Wall Street crash of 1929. Needless to say, new car sales, of larger heavier more expensive models, didn't go all that well. Eventually they gave up in '32 or '33 and mothballed it. They didn't junk the tooling, it was brand new, but they did grease-pack it up and put it in storage. Jump to late 1945. The Australian government asked its' allies to help them get a local Australian heavy industrial base started, and one thing they specifically asked for, was tooling to make their own cars - big sheet metal presses and tooling to cast their own engine blocks and heads. So the Brits looked, no luck, and the Americans looked, and found that 1929 Chev 6. "We have this, er, would that suit you?" That's where the first Australian 141 inch Grey Ghost motor came from. If my memory serves, it was called the 48-215 because the year of introduction was '48, and the maximum size you could expect to bore & stroke that Grey Ghost out to, was 215 cubic inches. It did grow to 202 cube, and it stayed in production until 1986. That's not bad for an engine that initially saw the light of day in 1919 ~

[@stevecritchley2506]

Close - the engine used in the 48-215 was 132 cubic inches, or approximately 2.15 litres (hence the 215). I remember my dad (a mechanic in the 1950s) always called it "the 1929 Chev motor" - now I understand why! Thanks for the history.

[@Neil-Aspinall]

What model was it last in Kneezy?

[@jdabel1]

The 48-215 was (unofficially) the FX. The FJ was the next model released. Different grill and some other minor changes.

[@Kneedragon1962]

@@Neil-Aspinall ~ As I recall, there was a 202 Black motor in the VK Commodore (1986) that was a continuation of the original Holden Red Motor. For the next one, they dropped it and went to the 3 litre Nissan motor, the RB-30 which is still possibly the best engine ever fitted to a Holden. You went grey motor, red motor, blue motor, black motor.

[@Broxin7]

@@jdabel1 It only became the FX after the FJ was released.

[@RogueBagel]

Fascinating episode! I remember being so excited when GM finally brought the Commodore to the US as the Pontiac G8 (and later the Chevy SS). Really looking forward to the next chapter of the Australian saga!

[@bossdog1480]

It's over already. There won't be another chapter. Holdens and Falcons are no more.

[@robertmorris6529]

As Boss Dog says , no more chapters , maybe a bit of Political Regret ! . Naah ! They don't give ' A. Flying F*** , Aussie Cursing.

[@RogueBagel]

Yeah, it's sad what happened to the Aussie car industry. I was referring to Ed's history lessons, though!

[@robertmorris6529]

@@RogueBagel all cool

[@robertmorris6529]

@@RogueBagel Ed certainly researches his subject . He deserves a ' Schmoke and a Pancake ' Dr Evil style ! LOL

[@jetsons101]

I love the Twilight Zone, great intro. The Holden were some of the best looking Ute's, the 1956 Chevy is still one of the best looking cars---please see 1956 Nomad wagon. By the way, "What's going on in Australia right now?? Another great watch.....

[@jefframsay8399]

Look forward to the Czechs, hope you get to India.

[@allysonhanks7367]

Hello Jeff, how are you. I hope you are staying safe and also having a nice weather.

[@johnd8892]

Not sure how this 1933 Tatra got to Australia : kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2qllqKaeM-abrM

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

A once great country Australia no longer makes or assembles cars at all anymore. Now specialising in Chinese landfill. 😞

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

@@liberals_destroy_everythin2497 Yup. Hopeless Governments.

[@mehmeh5471]

@@CathodeRayNipplez Treasonous governments

[@owenshebbeare2999]

@@liberals_destroy_everythin2497 The Lima Declaration was Whitlam, Button was Labor, unions were Labor, Nisssn left under Labor, Mitsubishi too. The remaining three quit when Gillardstopped subsidies. All you have is one poor speech by Joe Hockey in 2013 or 14 where he refused to reinstaste subsidies that did nothing more thsn pay over-inflated wages. Libs had no major role in the decline.

[@stephenberry1205]

Great summary. My dad's first car was a Holden FJ. My first car 50 years ago was an Aussie assembled 1962 Citroen ID19 after my final school exams in Dec 1971. A Citroen 5CV was the first car to circumnavigate around Australia in 1926. The import tax and sales tax on top equated to 92.85% on fully imported cars. Up until December 1978 if you took delivery of a car overseas as long as it was Right Hand Drive you could bring it back with a reducing import tax until after 15 months it was tax free... In the 1970s around 6,000 Aussies a year took delivery of Benzs, BMWs, Volvos, Ferraris, Rovers, Jags, the odd Roller & Bentley half price. In my case a CX Prestige that was unavailable in Australia.... I am now on my 17th Citroen including my 3rd 2CV6 - a 1990 Charleston, which was $7,700 Australian tax free RHD in Paris. Now over 3 decades later and 285,000 kms it is worth $42,000 Aus. Hey dad and mum ended up with a Citroen GS & CX before changing tp a Toyota Cressida & Subaru Impreza.

[@kristianpopivcak6744]

Ou boy, an episode on Czechoslovak/Czech car industry? Looking forward to it.

[@seventysevenfiji]

Fantastic job! You really need to watch all of Torque and Peter Wherrets tv shows for even more insight. Ed's Auto Review is truly becoming one of the top automotive content

[@arnbo88]

Fantastic video Ed. Thank you. It's true that you could make several videos on Australian car design. Some people fail to appreciate what went into the design and manufacture of these unique models. Australian car makers simply could not afford to change their design annually instead relying on model changes. Ford pilfered parts from it's American parent in order to remain competitive. The GTHO Falcon series were never officially listed above 300HP (insurance reasons) and by Phase 4 included many modifications to improve reliability on the track such as four wheel disc brakes and a winged high volume oil sump.

[@21stcenturyozman20]

*arnbo88* - Yes, Frord did that, but so did GMH. The earliest Holdens (48/215 and FJ) were a rejected GM US Chevy design. The later Holdens were adapted German Opels (minus the German assembly quality).

[@arnbo88]

@@21stcenturyozman20 Without a doubt GMH took on Chevy and Opel designs including 307/327/350 V-8 engines. The first Monaro looked a lot like the Opel Rekord C. However, Ford took on almost every American Mustang modification it could in order to stay competitive at Bathurst. The XYGT Phase 3 used a shaker hood scoop from a Mach 1, the intake and harmonic balancer were very similar to the BOSS 302/351 type. Some innovations such as extractors and 4 wheel disc brakes were more unique. Chrysler on the other hand tried to make their Valiant all Australian by using a unique wheel base /body design in the E38 Charger. The hemi six with a three speed shift was also unique but hampered the Charger at Bathurst.

[@captlazer5509]

I know fellow gear heads that help export classic American muscle cars to Australia like 60's Mopars or pony cars like the Mustangs and certainly there are fans of Aussie cars states side who want something different. Might be a cliche but the Mad Max films woke people up to how cool some Aussie cars can be.

[@HonourableHusband]

True. And it helped that many of the US muscle cars were based on the Falcon or Valiant chasis, making them an easy RHD conversion. The only state that allowed LHD registrations was SA/NT, I think likely because Pine Gap and other US military presences made it worthwhile.

[@petermacdonald3061]

I enjoyed this very much although the omission of the Leyland P76/ Austin Freeway/Wolseley 24/80 an obvious error these cars also competed with the big 3 but never were as successful. Lots of other European and British cars were assembled in Australia that helped shape the unique Aussie market. A few small errors like FJ instead of FX Holden EK instead of FB, still an interesting review of an often forgotten or neglected market in the eyes of the press particularly.

[@TheKnobCalledTone.]

To be fair, BMCA was a sideshow compared with the Ford vs Holden battle.

[@petermacdonald3061]

fair enough

[@21stcenturyozman20]

*Peter Mac Donald* - "A few small errors like FJ instead of FX Holden". Well, if you're going to get picky, FX was only ever a citizen tag, never used by GMH. Those first Holdens were officially the 48/215 series.

[@petermacdonald3061]

@@21stcenturyozman20 You are absolutely correct.

[@saxongreen78]

Agreed - the Australian produced Morris Major / Austin Lancer, BMC 1100 / 1500 / 1800 / X6, Nissan Skyline / Pintara were notable entries, too...they sold well and were all competent designs. Dodge and International also had locally produced trucks that sold well.

[@chrisgurney2467]

Chrysler had two luxury models in the 70's, the Chrysler by Chrysler and the earlier Valiant VIP/Regal

[@VagueRANT100]

I loved my Chrysler by Chrysler.....stolen and burnt out unfortunately

[@chrisgurney2467]

@@VagueRANT100 ouch that's a bugger - I had a normal old VJ and she was great but couldn't keep her without a shed so sold her to a guy that restos them

[@robertmorris6529]

VE VF VG standard body size , due to no budget to enlarge it , VH VJ VK CL models , they found a bit of cash to include in re -body development to stretch 6 to 12 inches (30 cm ) .

[@kenbaxter9171]

48 Holden Was A FX

[@pedromeggiolaro]

I cannot wait to see the video of the Brazilian Car Industry!

[@andrewallen9993]

Exporting do it yourself VW split window kombis to South Africa?

[@qre268Zrtb]

Yep I love a good Brazilian.😏

[@PaulinesPastimes]

It's interesting to see your very good view of what was a big industry here. The demise of our car industry is still fresh in my mind and I am still terribly sad about it. The same could probably be said by a lot of people from other countries about theirs too. There are so many sad stories. The next instalment should be interesting.

[@allysonhanks7367]

Hello, how are you. I hope you are staying safe and also having a nice weather. Merry Christmas to you.

[@assessor1276]

Excellent work Ed - can’t wait for the conclusion!

[@danielversion1.035]

*"Australia: The Bonus Track of the World!"* Dude, that should be our new tourism slogan 🤣🤣👍👍 Well done sir... well done!

[@edwartvonfectonia4362]

Holden Torana LX A9X sound is truly majestic.

[@mikevale3620]

As a Chrysler guy, the XU-1 also has a great note in its original exhaust. But the Charger R/T's are exceptional.

[@robertmorris6529]

As a ' True Blue Oval Boy ' , You know what comes next ? !!

[@qre268Zrtb]

@@robertmorris6529 I am a Holden man through and through, but I will always reckon the GTHO Phase 111 is number 1.

[@robertmorris6529]

@@qre268Zrtb A truly liberated attitude , As a very Blue Oval supporter , I must say ALL American based Muscle cars whatever their Brand Name , awoke the Tim Allen response ! , from the age of 12 !

[@robertmorris6529]

@@qre268Zrtb Also from that age I was hooked on NASCAR , due to very patchy replays on ABC Australia of that style of Motorsport .

[@richard63]

Coming up : Not all Australians are interested in Falcons and Holdens or the lack of quality. Hence, the Japanese showed everyone how to build a quality product and we wanted them in our garages. Well done Ed, a reliable summation. Petrol prices, build quality and emission standards were also part of the story too. Look forward to Part 2.

[@crunchytheclown9694]

New australians werent interested

[@JohnSmith-rw8uh]

That was only in the 90's the rice craze happened, then that died and the german craze started

[@michaelbean739]

Talk about confusing. That was very well done I was Holden on to the very very end.

[@charlesmoss8119]

Gosh this is such good content with a fabulous presenting style - I was ‘incubated’ in the auto industry in both OEM and tier 1 - your analysis and content is spot on - thank you

[@volktales7005]

I have watched several of your videos, and enjoyed them quite a bit. Finally hit that subscription button! Keep up the good work!

[@mrs6968]

Milwaukee Wisconsin USA here home of Harley Davidson motorcycles and Pabst blue ribbon beer and I thank you for this deep dive into Australia's auto history your channel is mint and I look forward to the next continuation of this great story

[@johnd8892]

You may also be interested in this even deeper dive in four half hour parts made in Australia so missing a few of Eds errors : kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6WmaKyGbrGgd6c I suppose don't watch the last parts until Ed releases his what happened to.

[@michaelwilliams8297]

The '04-'06 Holden Ute would have been a smash hit here in the states as a modern El Camino. Several gearhead friends and I were so hoping GM would import them.

[@SiobhanIsntShane]

YAY! Been waiting for a good video like this for a while now! Good job mate!

[@BELCAN57]

"Australia: the Bonus Track of the World" Sounds like great marketing for Australian tourism.

[@Zestyclose-Big3127]

New Zealand: the section wiped off the map after the last release candidate.

[@61rampy65]

Ed, love your shows! Just don't change.

[@vicp8772]

Quickest 20 mins. Good job cheers from Canada

[@deividsantos9220]

I love this Channel! Well done, Ed.

[@JasonFlorida]

I sure enjoy all of your episodes! Keep em coming sir! Pretty please!

[@BigPapa07]

Studebakers were sold in Australia, and were quite popular. In fact, some Studebaker Larks were used as police cars

[@21stcenturyozman20]

Yup. I had a 1964 Stude Cruiser (the last iteration of the Lark VIII) that had been a Victoria Police highway pursuit car. It had the 5-litre Chevy mill and pathetic, unassisted, sardine-can drum brakes. Went well in a straight line; couldn't do bends or stop.

[@simonf8902]

A brilliant outline of down under cars. At one time we assembled : Citroen Benz Rambler/ AMC. MG TRIUMPH MINI Morris Austin US /Canada based Ford and Chevrolet/ Pontiac Vauxhall VW Hillman and Humber And more !

[@johnd8892]

And manufactured Toyotas up to a few weeks before Holden closed. About half or more of the Toyota cars were exported. Something Holden and the rest never achieved Add Studebaker, Renault, NSU and Peugeot to the list. All these at the same Heidelberg West factory over the years.

[@American-Motors-Corporation]

But Ed, I can't wait another two weeks for another episode!! Maybe a Monday video? Please!

[@TyNeePen15]

Crazy. I just found your channel last night and binge watched a few of your episodes. Then I thought to myself "I hope they do a video on the Australian Auto industry". And boom! less than 24 hrs later you post the exact video I hoped you would!

[@CarWavExe]

he is just that good

[@andyallan384]

These episodes are really well-researched and very entertaining! Here in Australia nostalgia has already kicked in and prices of Commodores and Falcons, particularly the performance models, are going through the roof.

[@steved3702]

Well done, Ed, a great overview! Picked up on many lesser-known themes.

[@Rao_Sahab_7878]

Yo Ed is Back!

[@thesketchydude1315]

I'll be honest, before this all I knew of from the Aussies was the Holden Monaro, Ute, and the Australian version of the Ford Falcons lol also can't wait till you get to Canada, hope you bring up those weird fucking Chrysler "Plodge" models we had, ass end of a Plymouth with the face of a Dodge stapled on, or our strange GM ones which were often the "large" body of say a Pontiac on the tiny chassis of a Chevy

[@tamer1773]

Yes, but Canada had the Canadian Fords, particularly the '57 which were better looking than the US versions. And it was done with just a little bit of design adjustment.

[@JC-zg4xe]

@@tamer1773 Our Australian Fords at the time. Custom line sedan and mainline Ute used the trim from those Canadian Meteors.

[@reinaldoenriqueratto7800]

Please, @ed'sautoreviews, do an episode on the Argentinian car industry, and Turismo Carretera (oldest racing category in the world, since 1937)!🙏 Love your videos, and specially this series. Thank you very much, greetings from Pergamino, Argentina 🇦🇷.

[@mpetersen6]

I know there are people in the US that would love to get their hands on some of the twin cam heads used on the TC Torinos

[@darwinskeeper421]

As an American I was fascinated with the Australian motor industry ever since I saw "The Road Warrior" ("Mad Max II in many parts of the world). I wondered what Max's Last of the V8 Interceptors actually was, it looked like an American Ford Torino. I learned it was a Ford Falcon XB, that GM sold the Holden Monero but the Valiant Charger was a real surprise. While Chrysler A-Body (Valiant, Dart, early Baracudas) focused on "small block" V8s like the 273, 340 & 360, Chrysler in Australia built its performance models around a new version of an inline six that their American counterparts rejected. Chrysler in America had started work on a new larger inline six for its truck line that was eventually cancelled. Chrysler in Australia figured it was the perfect. The most interesting part of this engine was that it had a "low hemispherical" combustion shape with the valves splayed at an angle. This led to the new engine having superior breathing and a lot of performance potential. Chrysler called it the Hemi-6. In the Charger, there was a 3 2bbl Weber carburetor option which Chrysler called the "Six Pack", matching the name used for the 3 2bbl carburetor setup in the 440 Wedge. Thus in Australia, you could get a Charger with a Hemi Six Pack engine. An American Charger could be had with either a Hemi (the 7 Liter semi race engine with 2 4bbl carbs) or a 440 six pack wedge head. Thus, in a way the Australians bested us Americans. That's the problem of trying to cover the Australian motor industry in one 20 minute video. It's easy to get bogged down in the detail. You did a great job of giving a basic overview of the industry's history. I'm looking forward to seeing where you go next in this sampling of the motor industry of lesser known lands.

[@johnd8892]

Good to see your interest in our Valiant Charger. The 302 hp E49 265 cui model triple Weber 6 packs were sold with a few hundred examples. Would out accelerate the Falcon 351 GTHO but lost out just a bit on top speed. What was cancelled was the next faster version with a 340 V8 four speed aimed to be sold Bathurst race. He got that part wrong.

[@Jamie070]

excellent video again

[@i_am_nobody76]

I smelled a Red here

[@neilforbes416]

The first Holden was officially designated the *48-215* but after refinements to the front decorative grille, rear boot light and boot opening handle, the revised version would be designated as the *FJ.*

[@allysonhanks7367]

Hello Neil, how are you. I hope you are staying safe and also having a nice weather. Merry Christmas to you.

[@neilforbes416]

@@allysonhanks7367 Thank you for the greeting. Hope you have a happy Festive Season as well.

[@allysonhanks7367]

@@neilforbes416 Nice to meet you here Neil. I hope you don't mind us chatting to know each other. Looking forward to hear from you again.

[@neilforbes416]

@@allysonhanks7367 Have you seen either of my channels? They are *Trams & Trains* and *General Videos!* There may be something in them that interests you. Cheers!

[@allysonhanks7367]

@@neilforbes416 Well, just looking for a new friend so if you don't mind

[@floridaboiwoody]

Thanks Ed! Entertaining and informative as always. I always enjoy your videos.👍

[@williamdeegan7840]

Very interesting. Loved every minute. More please.

[@tachanka7482]

Could you do an Episode about the car industry of the DDR (GDR) ?

[@kremolaconia]

That was epic. So well researched and entertaining. Amazing.

[@Bobthesnob]

Such great work on these vids. So much work must go into them and people like me get so much out of them. Keep it up.

[@candyjaywee]

Yay! Prague, nice :)

[@fhwolthuis]

Great episode! You should make some separate videos about Aussie cars

[@allysonhanks7367]

Hello Frank, how are you. I hope you are staying safe and also having a nice weather. Merry Christmas to you.

[@channel_abc123_]

Can you do a China video? I know some cool models

[@simonf8902]

Bless you for showing the amazing Ford Landau. I possess one of these rare beasts. Only round 1300 were built between 1973 and 1976. An Australian designed and built car. It sports the Cleveland 351 V8 (completely made in Australia in Ford Geelong engine factory ) Plus FMX transmission, 9 inch rear diff. and 4 wheel disc brakes. Lots of bits from America including hub caps, side mirrors, indicator lights. Oh and the (smirk) rim blow horn.

[@sssyntax]

That was the best and most acurate account of the australian vehicle industry made by someone not from australia. All your details were spot on. Well done :)

[@wondermenel2811]

will you do poland? please do poland

[@Ca18detEnjoyer]

Expert recreation of an aussie accent

[@MoviesTubeYou0675]

Great use of “The Twilight Zone” introduction to describe Australia 🇦🇺.

[@Seiskid]

Good episode. Didn't know the Chrysler-Chrysler even existed, I as a kid I was obsessed with cars. Love to hear your take on what happened to our car industry in the end. It was a very sad thing.

[@kevinbarry71]

I am not Australian, or an expert, but one thing that happened was the Australian dollar got too high priced. This made exports quite uncompetitive. Also, manufacturers started developing major manufacturing complexes in other places. Particularly Thailand.

[@marnuscoreyempanadaslooseb6760]

@@kevinbarry71 This is true. Quite frankly, Australia’s car industry should of gone under when the economics hardships of the late 80s and early 90s happened. I remember when I worked at Holden as an accountant in the late 80s-early 90s that they might look at producing the Commodore in China as far back as then. Also the reasons for Holden’s closure outside of GFC and the Aussie dollar were the fact that as Australia is now a very multicultural country and people coming from overseas don’t know what a Holden is or what a Falcon is. Also the rise of SUVs didn’t help and also the big wigs in America screwing us over. I always hated working with Detroit and they always treated us like crap.

[@kevinbarry71]

@@marnuscoreyempanadaslooseb6760 well, if it makes you feel any better, corporations treat everybody like crap. Particularly American customers

[@mohammedjelloo8023]

Czech Skoda and Tatra are the next destination.

[@pogmothoin1342]

On a quiet night in the Outback you can hear the Holdens rusting

[@joermnyc]

Funny enough, when GM decided to reboot the Pontiac GTO, they rebadged a Holden Monaro SS… and it didn’t really sell because it didn’t look like a GTO but more like a giant new Firebird (this was before the retro design era.)

[@kellingtonlink956]

Thanks for another entertaining and informative video. Cheers!

[@gacha21x35]

You should mention the topic of “V8 Supercars” and also talk about how the GTR dominated the race

[@Low760]

And bored the punters so much they stopped watching and other competitors stopped turning up because the Gibson GT-Rs had outspent everyone to go faster than everyone.

[@68404]

@@Low760 So they outlawed them and made it the boring franchise that nobody gives a shit about. How about bringing back real cars again?

[@tigr1021]

Do Soviet and Eastern Bloc next. The werent the most luxeries cars but atleast they work till today especialy the trucks.

[@psychosquirrel555]

Been your sub for a while Ed. Thanks for a great episode..... South Australia....

[@adamwampler2135]

Holden is always a great car. As an American, sure do wish some of the Holden models had come here before they were. In the 2000s they brought a couple over, but not enough. I also wish Ford had continued the Falcon here like they did there. It was so much better than the meh that replaced it in the states!

[@obelic71]

The motorcar industry may be death in Australia now butt the truck (big rig for the USA ) industry is really bizar and unique in the world. Roadtrains towing 4-5 trailers behind a SUBAR (souped up beyond all recognition) towtractor.

[@railtrolley]

Kenworth, IVECO (formerly International), Volvo and Mack still made here. I've done deliveries to them.

[@dj_bim_bam2082]

RIP Holden

[@andrewrobinson5837]

9;19 the 1960 Holden that looks like a 57 Chevy.....it might look ancient, but I love it. Lucky enough to drive an FB nearly every day!

[@jackalnerf6230]

As an American Falcon owner, nothing makes me more sad than the fact that we never got the kick ass later models that the Aussies got. The Falcon birthed the mustang and was killed by its own child. The Hamlet of 60s fords.

[@gybx4094]

Sadly, GM destroyed Holden. Some of the last great Pontiacs were Holden designs.

[@CJColvin]

Yep you got it brother

[@suitable1317]

I would say to. Do newzealand next but there ain't mutch there

[@tomdelisle8955]

Well this made my Saturday having a new Ed video.

[@scroungasworkshop4663]

Hi Ed, from the general comments you’ve done an excellent presentation on the Australian car industry. I had forgotten the “Button” plan and while he meant well it just goes to show that government interference often ends in tears. The quality and accuracy of this video shows me that your videos of other car markets will be accurate as well so I’m subscribing. I feel like you must have had some knowledgeable locals helping you as you are very accurate with your information or you do an extensive amount of research. Which ever I’m looking forward to watching the rest of your series as I also like your style, humour and even your pronunciation of names most foreigners get wrong. Thanks for doing the small Australian car industry justice. Cheers Stuart 🇦🇺