Peter Wherrett reviews the 1970 Ford Falcon GT & Holden Monaro GTS High

[@Samsgarden]

Shit brakes, shit steering deathtraps. Love ‘em.

[@allansmith9983]

I’m hearing ya no guts no glory😂

[@morris2450]

Check my other comment in this post. I was told by the owner at the time that the car had a cracked disc rotor at the time...terrifying, even as a young pup.

[@aus80srockradio94]

Yes but the sound of that 351...... : )

[@nicholasgarnett-ly9nw]

😀 yep !

[@DarrellWilkerson4.6]

Look great and sound great, good enough for me 😂

[@davidrowlands1876]

Purchased a brand new Monaro 327 (grey - without the stripe) in October 68 from Dustings of Burwood. In its day what a motor car! I clocked up over 100,000 miles in that car over about 4 years and the memories of its performance are still with me today. Back in the late 60’s early 70’s the highways had open speed limits (so long as you could prove you were driving safely!) l remember sitting behind a police car doing about 85 mph between Benalla and Wangaratta and passing him at 100 mph - no problem. I was doing a lot of interstate driving particularly between Melbourne and Sydney on both the Hume and Princess Highways and the roads tended to be pretty demanding especially if you tended to go a bit hard - that car was nothing short of brilliant for the conditions that existed at the time. The Fords of the day were every bit as good, l am truly thankful for having had that motoring experience in my lifetime - not many have!

[@pteamg]

Ah the good old days

[@boss351gt6]

Peter is a wet blanket. If it was up to him everyone would be driving a Lada. There is nothing wrong with exciting cars. The hero cars help to sell the more economical base models anyway.

[@Classickoolcars]

He’s the reason the super car bs started. 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@jamesaustralian9829]

Peter loved the tiny 4 cylinder things that made all the occupants look like poofs.

[@rodalpers8698]

But he like a nice frock

[@iamthebroker]

He was to the Mitsubishi Sigma as Brock was to the Holden commodore.

[@ossiebalboa5617]

Peter Ferret, some called him. Bit of a poof, and no charisma at all but had a dream job. Supercar scare or not, 76 emissions regulations would have put an end to the muscle car, until the 90s.

[@jimclarke1108]

69 was 350 monaro, 68 was 327 monaro✌

[@liamgross7217]

Yes, and he talked sh@t for the rest as well.

[@oo0Spyder0oo]

@@liamgross7217He spoke the truth on cars at the time, we loved the horse power but the cars were death traps, modern cars out run and out handle them, they just look awesome. He was ahead of his time, you’re a fckstick.

[@falseprofit4u]

​@liamgross7217 known as Peter Ferret for a reason 😊

[@matt0607hkgts]

yes as a HK monaro owner , hearing a so called expert get the facts wrong still upsets me 😢

[@liamgross7217]

@@falseprofit4uI might be being a bit harsh on Peter but I don’t think cross dressers and muscle cars really go together.

[@garrygraham]

Grew up with Fords but the sound of that 327 is sublime. And from inside the car it was even better.

[@dieseldavetrains8988]

Remember the TV show "Matlock Police" with Michael Pate driving the Monaro police car? Then the NSW police used Valiant Chargers as Highway Patrol cars, those were the days.

[@shaneeinsiedel5112]

I can remember the episode that had Michael Pate arriving home in a LC GTR.

[@MrMightyZ]

I loved Peter and any car journalism when I was a little kid but he was like a Headmaster. A no nonsense buzz-harshener but a brilliant dude and a great driver too. Legend.

[@noelroberts8199]

Pete told it like it was, he was the only motoring journo that stood up to the big 3 and told the public if their products were shit he'd tell them and he did. R.I.P. Pete.....

[@harrycrumb742]

I was very fortunate to been given my fathers white & black 1968 HK Monaro 327 manual when he passed away He went all out and had fitted all options from GMH Power windows/ aircon and power steering This car has only 65000 on clock and it’s in pristine condition with not 1 paint chip or dent Every except tyres , battery etc are original It’s been in storage for over 20 years and I’m seriously thinking of selling it for a premium price

[@promxrippa]

Stuff that do what the old man would want you too do why sell such a car

[@harrycrumb742]

@@promxrippa I see your point

[@andhewonders]

If your not going to use it then you should cash up, I have 33 cars from the 70's and 80's, I'm cashing them all in so other people can enjoy them, the only ones I'll keep are the 60 series Landcruisers, I hope you've started yours up on a regular basis and driven around a bit, you could be disappointed if you haven't... That being said, do whatever makes you happy, I have a few old bikes as well that I just like looking at, I'll keep them for awhile

[@harrycrumb742]

@@andhewonders Yeh I run the girl in the shed a few times a year Ive been offered 200k but I’m still not ready to sell

[@jamesaustralian9829]

So it hasn't been driven, probably has a seized diff and gearbox.

[@Final_Cut_FF]

More fun than any EV for sure!

[@morris2450]

I remember taking a trip in a friends Falcon (same as in the video) around 40 yrs ago thru the central part of part of the South Island of NZ. We were five up in the ol girl with the speedo touching over 130 mph at one point....scary.

[@neilcox7879]

Just your average daily drive in those days. I don’t know how we all survived. But christ they were great cars. 18 year old and had a 351. Unbelievable!

[@richardabbot4695]

When I was 18 my Mum and Dad bought me a Datsun 1200 for my first car. I wanted a GTS Monaro my Dad just laughed and said dream on.

[@timothylanders3189]

My first car @ 16 (& 9 months lol) was an 351 4 speed XY Panel Van ;)

[@38skippers]

Hey Charger ✌️

[@farnthboy]

When l was at high school one of the students doing matriculation was given a brand new HK 327 GTS Monaro as his first car by his old man who was the council mayor at the time. He used to drive it to school. Often remember him laying a little bit of de rubber on de road to entertain us mere mortals at the time whilst waiting for the bus to go home. We all thought he was an absolute ledge. As a footnote when l finally got to 6th form l arrived to school in my first car - an EJ Holden Station wagon - bummer.

[@davehad-enough2369]

2024 and EVs are using much more natural resources than any 350 Monaro of Falcon GT could ever use. Always appreciated Peter's professional opinion even if it was on the boring side.

[@ptrsrrll]

An utterly ignorant comment. Soon ALL EV batteries will be fully recycled (it is happening now, research Redwood Materials). This will mean the mining for EV battery minerals will virtually CEASE.

[@bas4903]

Yeah don't worry about all the mining to make them

[@billmago7991]

was lucky enough to see Moffat race his phase 3 around Amaroo,

[@mickbrenton]

I picked up Amaroo as well!!!

[@terryirvine7090]

The Monaro registered KNK 777 is the ex HDT Monaro 57D which was entered in the Sandown Datsun 3 hour race which Spencer Martin while driving unfortunately ran out of brakes, crashed and it caught fire! The car lived to see its life put as a restored car again in full race livery!!

[@Forgottenson3934]

Was Spencer Martin restored likewise?

[@DoDar]

Funny thing is the 0 to 100 times of these beasts are the same you get in a stock XR6 FG non turbo, but they sound heaps better.

[@jamesaustralian9829]

A slightly tuned XR6 turbo would cream them, but the sound and presence of the old muscle cars really can't be beaten.

[@kpcart]

Yeh, using twice as much fuel. Tesla model 3 beats both lol.

[@user-ng1qx8xm9t]

Is that Amaroo Park?.

[@hisheroship]

Yes

[@maxrockatanksyOG]

"We die as real men- with no airbags"

[@peterh5536]

I miss Torque. Nearly bought a Peter Wherret Sigma turbo in the v early 80s when turbos were finding their feet on road cars. Went well but would overheat drastically.

[@samftr]

Peter H they're not turbo mate. But you could buy a sigma turbo. There was about 500 turbo sigma's and 1020 peter wherrett specials

[@perpetualgrin5804]

Took my 2.6 Sigma 5 speed round Oz in 2008. A reliable friend.😅

[@chriskennedy7534]

​@perpetualgrin5804 My mum had a GJ. It was definitely more fun to drive than my HJ 253 auto panel van.

[@WayneJorgensen]

My age and I missed hearing your comments. Good on you Peter.

[@user-rn4uw6zw4f]

The 327 GTS Monaro was 69 but not in the model pictured.

[@jamesmatheson5115]

I owned a HK Monaro, give me a modern car any day.

[@charlesmorgantelkom]

Well, they certainly managed to take the fun side out of motoring now

[@jamesaustralian9829]

They still are incredible cars, and the sound and presence of them cannot be beaten.

[@stephenwarhurst6615]

I think the real problem back then was safety it was wasn't compulsory by law to wear a seat belt and Aussie cars had shit breaking systems

[@jamesaustralian9829]

Back then we didn't have a large number of shit indian and Asian drivers either.

[@Hapkido82AUS]

My storeman at TAFE owned the HO. I remember him telling us (around '88-'89) about this comparison. He said the Falcon ran better on the day than the Monaro...

[@colinpenrose8275]

327 Monaro was in 1968. 351 Falcon was in 1969.

[@jimclarke1108]

And the 350 Monaro won in 69

[@gordonrosswhitehead5052]

I picked up on that as well. Both ford and gm were using in 69 the 351 and 350 engines.For someone that’s meant to know their cars that was a bad error in their narrative.

[@JosephCowen-fz8vj]

351 Windsor was 1969 like the one he is driving as it has no shaker just a scoop, 1970 on was 351 Cleveland US motor 4v then on 1974 the Australian 302 Clevelands and 351 Cleveland s came along till 1984/5 then no ford V8 untill 1990 and we got the 5.0 injected 302 w , it's funny Ford Australia called the 302 Cleveland a 4.9 litre and the 302 Windsor a 5.0 exact same bore and stroke ?????

[@jimclarke1108]

@@JosephCowen-fz8vj yes

[@terryjames6700]

I had a bronze HT308 with ROH wheels. Crappy handling, but it felt great, especially wren cruising up at the Gold Ciast with all windows down and no B pillar

[@stephenhadley2490]

I had a Verdoro green HT 308 Monaro 4 speed. Can't be many left.

[@petergiourelas3753]

Charger the best of era

[@mvnorsel6354]

Agree 100%.

[@lukestocks4370]

Sorry it can't be.. I'll say I thing 351.....

[@chopperking007]

In the late 80s in my 20s 350hp wasn't enough for me....450 was....worked 351 XYGS 4SPD 9inch...great memories

[@hisheroship]

I can’t figure Peter where it out. He raced cars at Bathurst, and then criticise them. It’s a little bit like criticising Don Bradman, you just don’t do it.

[@MachineintheMonkey]

Peter Ferrett! Just don’t show the Evan Green review.

[@keithwilson1554]

In 1968 a 327 Monaro won and in 1969 the 350 Monaro won then the Ford in 1970.

[@dufensmertz1]

XW GT had a wopping 290 HP ... I owned an XA GT with 300 HP ... Yet today there are over 30 cars with 600 HP + that you can buy ...

[@Redpepper7376]

I’d sooner watch an XW Gt drive by than a Porsche any day.

[@dufensmertz1]

@@Redpepper7376 Porsche is a glorified Volkswagen .. My point is they had a super car scare so they stopped making these cars in the 70s because they were too powerful yet today you can buy cars with even more power so why don't we have a super car scare now ??.

[@Ben.jack.in.off.to.you1]

driving them hard

[@cobar5342]

It is very hard to believe that he had such a fall from grace

[@Bluepillphil-d1w]

I’ve read his book about his childhood. Bizarre and highly perverted. The whole family.

[@aarronlane8809]

Allegedly Electric Vehicles are environmentally friendly. 😆😅🤣

[@davidburne9477]

Amaroo Park hardly the best venue for showcasing that old iron. Slow corners and less than 2 clicks long, it was the very essence of UK short circuits and nothing like most of the other Aussie circuits around at the time. Been in both cars at speed and much as it was fun, they were pretty much an engine with a bare bones body fitted, and little sophistication. I wouldn’t go back…

[@brucestorey3400]

Sadly not so much of a review of these two great Aussie icons, but rather a critique based around his fears about excessive power (suitable only for the racetrack!! ha ha) and waste of precious resources. Well, here we are 55 years later and cars are faster, on roads massively more congested, and fuel available in abundance. Oh, and for those promoting EV's (which today, are quite good cars), they are the fastest of all, with rocket like acceleration (albeit for relatively short times) and big doubts re envrionmental impact with battery manufacture and short lifespan.

[@johngibson3837]

Aye, thinking you got that about right mate

[@billeves4627]

The Holden sounds better and I'm a Ford man.

[@philipdenner8504]

Oh well, i suppose we should be thankful that Peter was at least wearing mens clothes for once.

[@shanewatt3640]

The Shark verses The Stonefish

[@daviddixon9458]

Give me power!!! I want to know that every time I start up my car, a species goes extinct. 😅😅😅😅

[@d.s.w7779]

Why not full vid

[@nigelbiddell7939]

And that's why you only got a sigma named after you These cars don't belong on the road Silly old man

[@351nang]

And it was.

[@leannecockburn2194]

They don't em like that anymore fucken classic

[@Buzz.Scholz-vi1ed]

Bought a 1969 HT gts Monaro in 1979 for $2300. It went OK I guess. Apart from the shit brakes, shit handling, shit fuel consumption, shit drive train ( diff/ gearbox). But it was cooler than ice cream!

[@falseprofit4u]

Nostalgia is a strange thing. 😊 Those old muscle cars handled like a wet sponge, guzzled fuel, cubic inch power ratio was horrible, and they were terrible rust buckets, especially any built on a Friday. Anyone buying them nowadays as collectors definitely has more bucks than brains.

[@godfreypoon5148]

He shoulda stuck to cross-dressing.

[@hisheroship]

Unfortunately, you are correct, criticising the best cars that have ever been made is not something that men do.

[@djizzah]

King of cross dressing, strange cat

[@obs2746]

Muscle cars spoken about by a ‘cross dresser’ ?

[@stuarthynes6136]

And holden/general motors with "Australia's own car" brought in yank running gear😅😅

[@myredute]

And this vid is so old, the track in use is where? Anyone know? It's Amaroo Park, one of the best tracks in Sydney, famous for the Castrol 6 hour!

[@baabaabaa-yp2jh]

Pete always sounds like his undies are bunched...then we found out they were!!

[@user-fy9ce6qj2b]

he should be wearing a racing helmet not english felt cap

[@stevetreloar3129]

"only on a racetrack"...ha, ha, ha lol!

[@chuckselvage3157]

GO THE HOEYS

[@stephenhadley2490]

Peter Wherrett being a Karen.

[@tyzon00800]

Pull your head in

[@stephenhadley2490]

@@tyzon00800yeah I agree he should. He was always full of it.

[@herman60]

lefty gallah.

[@gw5436]

Even then, the gAyBC was crying puddles over natural resources. Nothings changed.

[@ToranaA9X308]

Ah the good old 351 the most detonated engine at Bathurst by FAR. Just ask Moffat and Johnson and Carter. Those die hards spent a fool’s ransom trying to get those boat anchors to hand together only to be REPEATEDLY thrashed by the 308s of grice brock Bobby Morris and a tribe of others. The XW XYs were a wallowing overrated boat with rubbish brakes and horse and cart suspension from the 50s. All noise no substance a legend in its own lunchbox

[@Classickoolcars]

IF….. the retards in head office at FORD had’ve supported their race teams, the sorry Lions would’ve been thoroughly flogged, NO Way would the pathetic diffs and factory gearboxes in the Holdens would have lasted…..

[@alweb360]

I've driven both kingswoods and falcons from that era the Holden's were just not in the same league as a general daily driver, I can't believe how awful hqs were to drive was it an experiment to see what rubbish the public would accept?. Imagine wherret and Green complaining about the performance of modern cars now.