How I imported a Ford Fairmont AU to the UK! Part 2 - Issues, paperwork, rust, Wales!

[@andrewsmyth8615]

Hoegh Tracer has just passed through the Suez Canal bringing my Nissan Serena to the UK from Japan.

[@biker_dan]

Ian, if you need parts then contact Bursons Australia, they are a major parts dealer and will ship to you. Parts will only take 5 days to get to you.

[@12stephen]

Really enjoyed posts about Australian car's particular cortina with a 6 cylinder the transit van was another repowered van in Australia by Ford engineers I have owned a 1970 and 1978 model's keep up the great work

[@willsmarty21]

That is a pretty clean au. I have a series 2 Fairmont with a v8 myself. With the windows once working spray silicone spray in the rubbers it helps the windows move as the rubbers dry out. I do it on my au once a year.

[@MotoringBoxTV]

Interesting seeing the other side of the story, I'm really glad you documented it all. And look at you lot rolling along the motorway together so peacefully! Surely in that moment it was all worth it 👍👌

[@GazLfc]

As an expat living in Australia I think I might be a bit over excited seeing Betty in the UK but it’s hard not to be excited. Having owed one of these 4 litre cars it’s hard for people back home to really understand them. Hopefully Mr HunNut will show people why they were needed in Oz.

[@timhancock6626]

Is Mr HunNut his German cousin 😉?

[@paulbennell3313]

You named her "Betty" in reference to Ugly Betty but I actually think she's a pretty good looking car. Those big headlights flanking the smiley grille and that lovely swage line down the sides. The graceful sweeping roofline. I'm so glad you got this car back! We can see how much you're buzzing and it's infectious!

[@malekmo64]

Much better than the AU Falcon Forte believe me!!! 😁

[@callumfindlay696]

@@malekmo64hey I love my forte! It’s the white pointer!

[@nevilledawson3218]

I had the exact same car 2003 Fairmont in South Africa. Good for 1 million kms

[@guyemmott4009]

Strongly recommend ,during this current warmer weather, that you flood all Bettys cavities with Waxoyl or similar to preserve her...

[@VauxhallViva1975]

11:53 - Rust holes in the boot lid are NOT structural. This would have passed in NZ. Why are the MOT in England so anal? That is no reason to fail a car. It has NOTHING to do with the strength of a car in a crash. Utter bullshit.

[@stevemonkey6666]

This format of telling your story in bits and pieces of historical footage is really great

[@graemew7001]

Watched this yesterday and loved it when Richard said he was NO expert on Australian Fords lol. I'll be honest I didn't notice any editing errors. Betty in Britain is such an awesome thing to have. You say we've paid for this but in my opinion its your dedication to the channel and hard work that's paid for it.

[@tripsadelica]

Time for Hubnut to import a Holden (VF Commodore?) as well...

[@ayrproductions]

@@tripsadelica nah, he needs to go WB Statesman

[@raycrane8549]

I drive a Fairmont EL (1997) in Spalding Lincolnshire. Very similar same 4L Engine. I love it. Glad your enjoying yours.

[@callumfindlay696]

You have a different engine, same power output as AU series 1 but entirely redesigned engine with beefier bottom end internals and Teflon coated pistons!

[@langerstrains9460]

The car aerial shenanigans with Miss HubNut made me laugh. Glad you got Betty all sorted and ready for her next adventures.

[@Martin2153]

Greetings from Sydney! I mentioned on another video in this series that I used to own one of these, a 2001 series II. It was a bloody good car, roomy, comfortable, drove well and was bulletproof. It had done 230,000km when we sold it in 2014. IT survived two kids learning to drive on it and checking the registration on line, it soldiered on for a few more years after we traded it. You would be aware that the looks were widely criticised when it was originally released in 1998, particularly the base model version. Ford really did an extensive upgrade for the series II, both mechanically and some visual and interior tweaks. I actually think the exterior styling has aged very well, much better than anyone would have thought. The interior, perhaps not so well. However, Mercedes Benz were definitely a fan of the Ford Falcon AU styling. Have a look at the 2004 C219 CLS class, its design was obviously inspired by the Falcon AU. ;-)

[@cpqnx7010]

It's still so surreal to see an AU on UK plates :-)

[@jamesfrench7299]

They suit the car. Pity it wasn't a regular sight.

[@Spookieham]

At one point the more mental Holden Utes were available in the UK as Vauxhalls. It would be crazy to see one of those on the road. Getting rarer here in Perth even haven't seen one for a while.

[@VauxhallViva1975]

Was this model not available in UK? On the upper-outer ball-joint, I am quite surprised by that. In NZ, that should have been an instant fail for the WOF.... I wonder how it passed the WOF with the ball-joint like that.

[@cpqnx7010]

@@VauxhallViva1975 Nah the Falcon didn't officially get sold in the UK, although some limo and hearse operators imported a handful. Can't comment on the WOF other than they may have missed the issue.

[@Hairnicks]

An epic journey for Betty and yourselves. When your aerial disappeared back down and Miss Hubnut got the giggles it made my day. What a wicked chortle Miss Hubnut, I bet you'd laugh if your Granny's arse was on fire.

[@Billy_Street]

Call me nuts, yeah “it’s just a car” but that last shot in front of the mines the car looked like it was happy, like it was home… Weird to say I know, but it just looked like it belonged where it was and belonged to who it wanted to belong too… On a serious note, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed these Betty vlogs and Betty is the best kind of car. Big CC, Straight-Six,, Chain Timing Gear & RWD. All the things I require in a car. I hope you have many, many years of fun and enjoyment with Betty 👍🏼

[@Mike-br8zt]

Greetings from Sydney - what can I say. I recall the AU 'coming out' and the response from everyone was WTF has Ford done. It took Ford a long time to recover, and it can be said with some force, that Ford never did recover from the AU. I know people who purchased the Fairmont version just to avoid the whale tooth grill on the base model Falcon. Good luck mate.

[@angelikahiggs4628]

I remember. The AU was just too much for the conservative Falcon buyer. But as a burnout car it's unbeatable value these days.

[@bluespig1]

Absolute bullshit. The AU & XB Falcon were the biggest sellers Ford Oz had. Also, the AU is the most over engineered car Ford Oz made, best steerer, best handler. Any real Ford fan knew how good they were and are.

[@Mike-br8zt]

@@bluespig1 Mate, I think that you have been in lockdown for too long. The XB was a great car but the AU........

[@ninaandbob]

Congratulations on actually getting Betty home, what a mission. Surreal to see the car that did an acceleration test outside our property in NZ sitting beside a lead mine in Wales. I hope it goes well with her.

[@hedydd2]

The second Severn Bridge, now called the Prince of Wales Bridge, was opened mid-1996. The original bridge, which is still in use, slightly to the North, was opened in 1966.

[@Graham_Langley]

Plus it's not a suspension bridge like the first bridge. It's a cable stayed bridge as they're not going to make that mistake again.

[@hedydd2]

@@Graham_Langley Yes and no. The original bridge is of a new, for the time, design called a 'box girder' suspension bridge. Not only is the carriageway built on a large steel series of boxes for rigidity and aerodynamic stability but the suspension cables which span from one tower to the other with droppers to the deck. if you notice though, the droppers do not hang vertically but on a diagonal using a triangular pattern. It is still operational after 55 years since it opened, so it can't be a bad design. As you say, the new bridge is not suspended from a main cable which spans from one tower to the other but by individual cables that all originate from the towers, each reaching down to their anchor point on the deck. The Queensferry Bridge across the Forth is yet another style of cable stayed bridge but this time with towers centrally placed between the carriages. It isn't a particularly wide bridge, having only two carriageways each side for some unfathomable reason, but it would interest me very much as to just how they make this bridge twist resistant. Is it a dimensional restraint in regards to its stability that stopped it having a far more sensible three lanes each way? Or just cost cutting?

[@johnd8892]

@@hedydd2 @Huw Williams the term Box Girder bridge triggers memories for many in Melbourne. is that the box girder bridge that collapsed with fatalities during construction in 1970? Within a few months or so of the Milford Haven bridge collapse the West Gate Bridge collapsed during construction in Melbourne in October 1970. With 35 direct fatalities. Same Freeman Fox rare box girder design and company involved in construction. So a further connection , but less pleasant, connection with the birthplace of Betty in Melbourne's northern suburbs. More info in this kzbin.info/www/bejne/fH-xYpVvZ5hjd6M Seems box girder is rare due to the five collapses. Hubnut' during his Melbourne stay would have travelled over the rebuilt West Gate Bridge a few times. Still a major topic of sadness in Australia with an hour documentary on TV in prime time aired last week.

[@chrisdoney8578]

I'm glad all this has been cleared up!

[@CaseyJonesNumber1]

Nobody who lives local to it calls it the Prince of Wales Bridge (and that's both sides of the Bristol Channel. When it's mentioned on traffic reports it's "Where?"...

[@LiquidAudio]

Fantastic seeing one of our classic cars all the way over there and getting so much love!

[@Wok_Agenda]

For what you said about the workers i like you even more

[@geezavictoria7089]

So glad this is up now , was a bit disappointed it had issues yesterday but the Espero Video was awesome!

[@adamlee3772]

My goodness that brings back some memories. I lived in Invercargill for three and a half years, been in to Milford several times, Invercargill to Queenstown up the Devils Staircase alongside Lake Wakitipu. But what really brings back the memories is seeing the WOF sticker up in the top right of the windscreen and the rectangular vehicle rego. Fantastic.

[@davideast5987]

I had an AU Fairmont wagon 2000 model. Drove it till 420000KM before electrical fault killed it. Wonderful car. It was so good to see the cloth trim on the door as it brought back so many memories.Even the silly window switches. Thanks

[@fhwolthuis]

Great video, what an epic adventure! Please don't forget to have Betty properly rust protected before the winter!

[@VauxhallViva1975]

It's funny. HubNut goes to all that expense, to import a car that most of us would crush without a 2nd thought if it was involved in a crash. On the other side of the coil, I LOVE British cars. I have not IMPORTED any cars from UK, but I do have seven English cars of various makes such as Austin, Morris and Vauxhall. HubNut's love for his AU, is comparable to my love of the British cars I currently own.

[@bloodybrit]

What an enjoyable feel good video. Makes me want to get my 216 running and some shots of it downtown Houston on its British Plates.

[@lisa_martin79]

Great to see Betty in my home town, Fareham. Really enjoyed the 2 part videos!

[@craigjames9155]

I'm really glad that you have Betty there. I hope that she will be a summer car and be hibernating while the roads are salted. All the best.

[@Shane_Marsh]

What a delicious roller coaster ride to get Betty to wales and I'm so happy for you to get her back. So well deserved Ian 👏

[@trevorlack1726]

I loved the line “Such is the masculinity of the Fairmont you may have to offset it by having two small dogs” Classic Hubnut 😂

[@renes9966]

36:28 gorgeous. Matches the colours of the landscape perfectly. This design still looks wonderfully fresh

[@renes9966]

@Aussie Pom All that would improve it is a waterfall grille and some series 1 Forte wheel trims!

[@mpersad]

This is such an inspiring story - really delighted that all the hard work paid off!

[@jamesfrench7299]

I found NZ countryside looked a lot like the UK including the weather and pondered how a car like this was in such a different environment to Australia's roads, now it's more UK looking than ever because it actually is! Wales picturesque scenery upped that factor by ten! This was one of the best YT videos I've seen.

[@randomdude4669]

That's why so many brits move to nz

[@jamesfrench7299]

@@randomdude4669 strange they'd move to the other side of the globe for a similar looking landscape.

[@randomdude4669]

@@jamesfrench7299 just people going through a midlife crisis and thinking the grass is greener on the other side i guess

[@jamesfrench7299]

@@randomdude4669 a Porsche is easier.

[@randomdude4669]

@@jamesfrench7299 true lmao and alot cheaper

[@DavidRDHeath]

I‘m loving all Aussie car preservation stories. Mostly it’s the folk in US importing Holden grills/emblems and steering wheel badging to put on their Chevy SS that has made me somewhat proud plus seeing the massive resale values there, but seeing an AU Fairmont non-Ghia in the Uk is bloody marvellous. Although the reality of owning one is you have a relationship with your local Ford Dealer service department after about 3-5 years from new. That’s the reality of fleet cars. Same as British cars too, and European. It takes effort to keep them going beyond average life. A bit more in this case. Well Done!!

[@scalecrawlnl]

Excellent, awesome to go along during the 'up and down' with this car and it's money well spent, congratulations✌

[@paultaylor9652]

Really enjoyed that Mr & Miss HubNut, welcome to the UK Betty.

[@Garffey]

As others have said Ian, your commitment in bringing us enjoyable content to watch is really what matters! Just glad you are enjoying the rewards now with 'Betty' that YOU deserve! Well done Sir! 👍....Onwards and upwards!

[@televisionandcheese]

Seeing Betty in Wales in that camera angle, just like she looked in NZ.. but on the other side of the world! Not many falcons/fairlanes can say they've done that!

[@neilpye6089]

Great vid and as I said yesterday that shot at the end when Betty got to Wales is great

[@Kai-Peter.Schellhase]

32:14 Naughty!😂 Glad you were able to get Betty road legal in the end, Ian. Props to Rich ( UPnDOWN) for helping out!👍

[@MsPtolomy]

What a brilliant bit of content, could have watched for hours ;)

[@tony-yp6qk]

Another great video has always Ian and miss hubnut and hublets and dogs So glad Betty is home can't wait for the beautifications videos

[@0mike0v0]

Just like Fosters, the AU Falcon had to make its way to the UK to find the love it deserved. Nice work on getting yourself an indestructible Aussie vehicle.

[@collinpolhill4102]

Hi lan it's collin again lan keep this car mate I no beti means alot to you and me to I love that car I remember when you first bought beti iv been a subscriber now for menny years now iv watched beti twice today she not just enny car to me beti is my favourite car lan I'm so happy you bought beti back she worth every penny she's gold

[@martinevans3014]

Parts are easily available on Ebay OZ and can be posted to you. The parts for AU's are dirt cheap here in OZ as there were lots of AU's made and they are very cheap here.

[@David_S1985]

Immediately recognised that bus interior. used to drive them year ago when they were on service.

[@clutchbasket5764]

Please clearcoat the headlights after you buff them this time. That's why they go cloudy again. The original UV coating is gone and needs replaced. If you buff then clear coat, they will remain clear.

[@neilforbes416]

26:39 I can sympathise. When I had my BA Ford Falcon station wagon, it had controls for all four windows but only the driver's side controls worked from the driver's seat. Any passengers had to operate their own windows.

[@timhancock6626]

I had two ice creams from a Bedford CF ice cream van on saturday. The ice cream man said he had two CFs in lovely condition. The ice cream was pretty good too. I was a bit to the east of Southampton at the time, but not a million miles away.

[@ianjoyce5120]

That's a cable stay bridge and opened in 1996, the old bridge is a suspension bridge opened in 1966. I don't think anyone builds suspension bridges anymore as the maintenance costs are high. By the way the new tee shirt is up to the normal HubNut standard.

[@theotherchannel2279]

36:30 You just want to give Ian a hug at this point. You are welcome, my friend. ;)

[@patrickrocks3312]

I'm glad you got Betty home. Well done.

[@rwd323]

As a mechanic in New Zealand I am embarrassed that ball joint passed a warrant of fitness!

[@andrewhofler]

Well done to Richard for all his hard work on Betty! Glad you're on to FORScan, it's excellent! I use it in preference to my $5K Snapon scantool for Fords! Android app version is very handy on the go. So happy to see Betty back with you. Great to see some of the beautiful Welsh scenery too 👍🇦🇺

[@Graham_Langley]

FORScan does Mazdas too. Got it bookmarked should the Mazda3 play up.

[@andrewhofler]

@@Graham_Langley For what it costs, FORScan is amazing! As I said, I have access to SnapOn, Autel and Launch tools, all $$$$, FORScan has a better feature set and ease of use in many cases. The Android version and a ELM327 dongle are excellent when I go on roadtests too!

[@Graham_Langley]

@@andrewhofler Ta for the recommendation.

[@sameyers2670]

Your adventures with Betty and in New Zealand have made me want to do a road trip round Australia or New Zealand, I'll have to try and get saved up over the next year or two

[@MrTimcoronel]

So much enthusiasm for what would be a clapped-out taxi in Australia ;)

[@peterriggall8409]

Understand Falcons were so popular as taxis as straight sixes are much better on LPG than V6s.

[@triggeredleftyvegan6004]

@@peterriggall8409 The last decent V6 from Holden was the 3.8 Buick motor. That last rubbish Alloytech was a embarrassment coming from a Holden guy!

[@morantaylor]

I owned an ex taxi AU it had 850 000 km on the clock........

[@jamesforge8107]

@Aussie Pom Camry's are not tough enough as taxi's either. CV joints become a consumable

[@stephentaylor9365]

Great video Ian thanks. Loved following your trip in NZ and the recent account of the import. Nice Motor.

[@bruceparr1678]

I bought a 1999 AU wagon in 2001 because I needed a six seater car (My AU has a bench front seat and column shift auto). It has been a good tough car. Still driving it more than twenty years later.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Great to finish watching where I left off just as Betty enters Wales. Great video as always, the mountain road looks a lot of fun.

[@Perkelenaattori]

Mrs Hubnuts laughter is so excellent. Seldom have I heard s laughter so full of innocent schadenfreude.

[@law1008]

There's no need for that sort of language!!🤣🤣🤣

[@volvo480]

There is a trick you should always do in case of car computer problems: disconnect the battery for half an hour, then put things back together and start up again. Yes it is like IT Crowd! 😂 During starting of the engine with a bad battery, the voltage drops below the point where the computer's voltage regulator works properly and then its memory might get corrupted. Because automotive computers are designed to be resilient against such failures, a hard reset (by disconnecting the battery) forces them to reload the program with default settings. The car might behave a bit different during the first drive (mine raises its idle for a while) but the programming gradually adapts and then things are back to normal again.

[@HubNut]

We did try that. New battery needed in the end.

[@UPnDOWN]

Oh, believe me - if you can think of it, we tried it! ForSCAN was the last step before setting fire to it!

[@steved3702]

@@UPnDOWN I'm racking my brains, now, trying to think what possibly went wrong with it. Coming up blank. :-(

[@UPnDOWN]

@@steved3702 It lost calibration between the BEM and the engine ECU. They basically couldn't see each other, like they'd never been programmed. Battery was seemingly fine up until the last week, and then suddenly went off a cliff. When I get my act together, I'll do a video on behind the scenes from my POV.

[@volvo480]

@@UPnDOWN It's a really bad thing the computers were able to get confused that way! I guess I am lucky with my 1990s car that has 4 computers but no digital connection in-between...

[@Steve_9292]

So happy to see Betty and Ian reunited. Absolutely lovely motor, glad she's got a loving home for the long run.

[@poodle559]

I know it's all about Betty, but can't help notice lots of TVR goodness going on. Always nice to see.

[@johnd8892]

Don't some of these TVRs run a four litre straight six?

[@poodle559]

@@johnd8892 it was a TVR own factory engine called the speed 6 (AJP 6)

[@jamesforge8107]

I replaced the roof lining in my Falcons/Fairmonts with polar fleece. No crappy foam to break down and drop the hoodlining on your head. Wish I could attach a picture for you.

[@ianpetherick4326]

When you fix the headliner buy some spay on carpet glue does the trick had to fix one on a rover works great 👍

[@paulwatts2192]

She looks so at home in Wales. The scenery reminds me of you trip down under.

[@jeffhughes1318]

It was funny to see the Ford lover mourning the loss of the Citroen and the Citroen lover excited to swap to the new Ford! Oh and wrong bridge, that's the newer one. Nice to see Betty's journey to Wales.

[@michaelstaunton1632]

Wishing you all the very best with Betty on her future Hubnut adventures there 👍👍

[@steved3702]

Those comments about the air conditioning. I can confirm that testing involved heading to the heat of a Longreach summer with additional heat soaking while parked for good measure. Hopefully even the most sweltering UK weather shall not prove too much!

[@Spookieham]

I would have thought even the hottest UK summer wouldn't be hard for a car built for outback summer temps.

[@triggeredleftyvegan6004]

@@Spookieham I went from Darwin to Melbourne 3 times in a Series 1 AU Fairmont Ghia with 47c temp, averaging 160 km p/h didn't break a sweat not even past the O on the temp gauge with ice cold A/C. These cars are bullet proof! The car already had over 276,00kms on the clock.

[@baird55aus]

as long as the climate control has been reset after a flat battery.

[@darthvirago]

I like it, when a plan comes together.

[@hedydd2]

Saw Betty from behind on Monday I think, and Elly [with Ian at the helm] passing in the opposite direction yesterday [Wednesday] afternoon. Flipping narrow and very very busy, challenging, village to negotiate my kit through at this time of year. Especially if we meet a bus in the 'wrong' place. My bother and another chap should be negotiating the village street just now actually. Big red tractor and a big blue one with red trailers behind.

[@HubNut]

Yes, horrendously busy!

[@hedydd2]

@@HubNut There are a LOT of 'wrong' passing places where the road narrows, bends or cars park illegally, often in combination. No pavements for walkers at critical points either. No stress though, we just take our time.

[@collinpolhill4102]

I watched every episode in Australia from the day you first bought beti you did alot of miles in beti

[@MonaroTravels]

Awesome stuff. I’ll be bringing another Aussie motor to live in Wales in a few months :)

[@peterriggall8409]

Interesting. Can you tell us what it is? Hubnuts experience will be invaluable.

[@Ben_3113]

@@peterriggall8409 Judging by his pic I’m guessing he has a commodore coming his way?😀

[@richardbaron7106]

That'a weird the upper ball joint passed the WOF inspection, coz they're usually really thorough in NZ, especially at the testing stations. When my car was going through its first WOF, they found rust in the rear inner quarter panel, which had passed the MOT year after year. That had to be fixed as well as a poor repair on the other rear inner quarter panel, plus the rear section of the chassis was not within specs, so that had to be straightened. Finally, because the compliance inspector had found rust at the rear, I had to have the whole underside media-blasted back to metal to make sure there wasn't any other rust hiding out of sight. Pleased to say the rest of the car was in great condition - even the front radiator support, which is known rust area in A32 Nissan Maxima's. So I feel your pain with the additional cost of importing Betty, but when you have such an attachment to a car, it's a fantastic feeling when you get back behind the wheel on the other side of the world. Almost three years later, I'm really glad I brought my Maxima to NZ. In part one, I stood in the exact same place at Southampton docks you were standing when I dropped my car off and where Betty was dropped off at the Ports of Auckland, that's where I saw my car the day after it had driven off the RORO ship. That was a real deja vu moment, but in reverse :)

[@allanroberts2483]

Bought brand new a series 3 Fairmont in Barossa Red. Purchased on a Tuesday and left for a 5000 plus kilometre trip around western Queensland (OZ for the uneducated) the following day. Fabulous piece of big Australian engineering. Comfy and lots of grunt from the 4 litre Intech straight six. Never missed a beat. It is appalling that Ford Australia no longer manufactures in Australia. Had one of the world's best Suv - the Territory after the Fairmont with the legendary Barra 4 litre straight six. Another brilliant Ford .

[@frothe42]

I'm absolutely thrilled that you now have Betty again, this time permanently (I hope!). Everything in her interior looks like an American Ford; the steering wheel, the window switches, and maybe a few other bits. And no one can say any longer you DO NOT LIKE FORD. Just a matter of time when all the little problems will be sorted, although I cannot fathom find a headliner, you never know! Best of luck Ian, and Carly!

[@stephenw2992]

You can probably thank Australian taxpayers for designing American Ford interiors, along with plenty of GM stuff.

[@frothe42]

@@stephenw2992 Ford wanted go "global" with the introduction of the Escort in 1981 to the US market. I do know that the Taurus was exported (at least I think it was).

[@frothe42]

@@stephenw2992 And I must say that I do love the Holden Commodore, and angry at GM for killing them off. Not everyone wants a truck-based vehicle, some of us simply want a car. And I don't mean a Toyota, Honda or Hyundai!

[@TheKnobCalledTone.]

As long as the headliner's backing is OK, it shouldn't be too hard for a competent upholsterer to put some new fabric over the top and make Betty's headliner look like new again.

[@jamesfrench7299]

@@frothe42 Australia got a luxury spec Taurus with Duratec V6 engine (not Vulcan V6) in the late 1990s. Never see them anymore except one bloke near me just outside Sydney who I saw in one.

[@In_memory_of_Dad]

Fair play to you Ian, I am so very happy for you, and what a lovely addition to the Hubnut collection. Betty is the kind of car that I would love to have as my everyday daily driver. Lovely car. I hope she serves you well for many years to come...🙂👍🙂👍

[@danielbardan5697]

Definitely do a bulk buy of tie rod ends,ball joints, bushes, shock absorbers front and rear disks and pads. Falcons go through them like a Bogan with free beer.

[@Beany2007FTW]

Eating suspension consumables is a bit of a 90s Ford thing overall, I think. Poly bushes for the longer term win, where it won't introduce too much harshness at least.

[@millomweb]

He'll be buying a 'spares' car next !

[@bernardjharmsen304]

Squeaky front suspension was the norm with Falcons in Aus.

[@blackterminal]

@@Beany2007FTW I put Poly bushes in a jeep and they squeeked endlessly after that. Rubber ones are silent

[@RoobehTunes]

It must have been difficult for betty, learning to drive everywhere upside down.

[@australiantruckspotting8883]

Great to see a mighty AU in the UK. I personally think the AU design has aged well and looks pretty good nowadays

[@iankearns774]

I had an AU series 111 for about 12 years, bought it in 2007 and traded it in on an Econovan which I needed for work in 2019. Falcons just keep on going, I have had 4 of them XF wagon, EA wagon and an EB Fairmont. Plenty of parts here in OZ , best of lucky sourcing parts in the old dart.

[@forkhandles6139]

Congrats Ian !

[@Chambers101]

Very cool car. On a sidenote, Builth Wells Showground was also the site of the old Welsh Hill Rallies.

[@super_slav91]

One thing about the Falcons, they have amazingly good A/C even for Australia's heat up until the FG falcon. And the neglect they can take is amazing. So thirsty though, drove an AU as a pizza delivery driver over 10 years ago used $120 of fuel per week while my 2.0 Nissan Pulsar used $40-50. So unusual seeing it on UK roads, what a torque monster, #autheworld

[@angelikahiggs4628]

I had a VL with the best ac ever. After 7 years it started to blow steam from the vents and I had it regassed. Then it was even better.

[@super_slav91]

@@angelikahiggs4628 I have a friend with a VL and I also had a VL, neither had working A/C no commodore pre vt I have been in had working A/C lol, the stalks on the VL and prior were as brittle as tooth picks. Best AC I had was n14 Pulsar 1991 model, ice built up on the vents.

[@super_slav91]

@Aussie Pom Maybe they fixed it there was an exterior sensor problem with early FG's.

[@triggeredleftyvegan6004]

@@angelikahiggs4628 Sorry as a Holden fan, no way first gen Commodore had better A/C than a AU. My VZ or VS cant compare to my AU.

[@australiantruckspotting8883]

My FG air-con is shit, the Territory we had previously had the the best a/c ever

[@grayfool]

Very cool. Congrats Mr HubNut. I am fully understanding of your excitment. Glad we could help.

[@dombooth86]

Who'd of known you would become a ford fan can't wait for her adventure on the Fleet to start

[@phillscott5221]

Was listening to you say about immobiliser and had just said "I wonder if ForScan would solve that" when you said about it. I used it to resurrect the Focus when it forgot all its keys. Amazing bit of software, especially as it's free!

[@Phil-1969]

Great video Ian Miss Hubnut and the aerial had me in tears

[@stewartjmurray]

That extra cooling option will really help in Wales!

[@micheltebraake7915]

That has been a great adventure to get Betty on the UK roads. And now enjoy the reunion. Rich has a nice collection of TVR's.

[@HubNut]

Thanks. They're not his TVRs - it's his speciality.

[@Spookieham]

I'm subscribing now. Anyone mad enough to import an Ozzie Ford is worth watching

[@Bucharestguidedtours]

Excellent video, what a mission.. and the Hubnut fleet has a Ford!! Best wishes from us.

[@adrianmclean9195]

I've just noticed that the Ford S-Max, that you said you were just about to drive, has the same alloy wheels that featured on some FG Falcon XR-6's. They maybe different size, but exactly the same style.

[@joh2]

Recall the 4.0 LPG Ute version of the AU Falcon was sold in the UK in the early 2000s, sold as ‘Verte Tempest’.

[@HubNut]

Indeed so. Can't recall ever seeing one, but would love to find one.

[@MrButtonpresser]

I saw one in Manchester while we were visiting the UK. Made my head turn!

[@jamesfrench7299]

What a bizaar rebadge. Obviously to avoid confusion with regular Ford products in that market with a niche vehicle there. Another potential parts source, unless it was a BA rather than AU.

[@tedburnard841]

Probably all dead now from terminal tinworm

[@cornishhh]

WK05 AOB, GX54 LSU, and WU53 JXF are all on SORN. TAF 50S used to be on one, but it's unrecognised now. Those are all on Flickr.

[@plym1969]

Absolutely brilliant video! Amazing how Ian can make us care about a car! I hope it continues to make Ian and the Hubnut family smile and that the electrics don't drive him too mad! It's definitely a car for long road trips so the videos coming up over the next few months and years should see some spectacular views to go along with the NZ and Wales ones we've already enjoyed! Norway definitely sounds like a great idea. I guess the UK equivalent Fords of the same vintage would be the Mondeo and Galaxy so a comparison video would be great. Here's to many more comfortable miles wafting along beautiful scenic roads!

[@brentboswell1294]

Wow, my American Ford Mustang (S550) has, on the door tag, "Built March 2016." I ordered it custom, and the "blend date" is March 2nd, 2016. I found some body stampings in the trunk that say "02292016" (that's how we say February 29th in the US). If I peer over the shoulder of the maintenance advisor at the Ford dealership, I see a build date in Ford's Computer system of February 29th, which makes my Mustang a leap day baby. And Forscan is a well-known tool in the Mustang community for testing and customizing American Fords 👍

[@airgead5391]

Beautiful shot of Betty at the end!

[@allanwinter4991]

I love the adaptive cruise control in my wife's car. Set your speed and distance from the car in front then relax a little. Also great for 30 and 40 mph limits.

[@HubNut]

Problem I found with that is you find yourself unexpectedly slowing down at times!

[@robtt997]

Love the acc in my Seat . Makes for a more relaxing cruise !

[@allanwinter4991]

@@robtt997 same here. Wife's car a Seat Leon.

[@davesimpson7416]

Wow was not expecting that! Betty is bark, loved ya vids in NZ & Aus.

[@peterriggall8409]

Top marks for working through this maze. Quite a-mazing.