A bit of nostalgia. After getting my license in a Morris 850 Mini Minor in 1968 I bought my first car.
It was a Toyota Corolla 2 door sedan, 4CYL, 1100cc, four on the floor, with bucket seats.
It was a demo model, it cost me $1600 which took two years to pay off on HP.
It was a great first car, very frugal on fuel but I never really liked the color of it as it was a sort of a ''spew green''.
The longest trip that I did in it was from Melbourne to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains NSW on my honeymoon in 1972.
I did a lot of miles in the 5 years that I owned it & the motor was pretty ''clapped out'' when I traded it in on another car.
On the day that I picked up my new car the motor in my Corolla was almost dead, so much so that at traffic lights I had the front of my foot on the brake & my heel on the accelerator just to keep it idling over roughly.
It was using a lot of oil & had a very smokey exhaust.
This is a shot of a nice white one. You always have fond memories of your first car.
-- Edited by 86GTS on Tuesday 13th of December 2022 06:03:56 AM
Joda said
08:05 AM Dec 13, 2022
First car was a 1952 ford customline, flat head v8 and 3 on
the tree, built in Canada it could idle at around 200 r.p.m.
front bench seat could be laid down level with the back seat to form a large bed, rebuilt the old flathead at the age of 18 with the help of the tradesmen I worked with as an apprentice fitter & machinist at the dunlop tyre factory in Montague in melbourne, owned the old girl for 9 years and it never let me down,
JODA.
Craig1 said
08:34 AM Dec 13, 2022
1954 FJ sedan, present for my 17th Birthday. When it got to indicated 90mph the trailing edge of left hand front mudguard would start to flap. Time to back off a bit.
KJB said
09:00 AM Dec 13, 2022
My first car was a new 1966 Isuzu Bellett sedan which was used as daily transport and with enthusiasm in a wide variety of Club Motorsport events. They were good reliable cars. I have another identical Bellett now - a car that I have known since new.
My first car was a little morris elite that used to belong to my grandfather's at the time ( he by then was in a nursing home ). In two years i had that car, it was off the road more than on. After that i had a 1977 HZ holden auto with the 202 engine. Great car and i wish i had that car even now.
RichardK said
10:30 AM Dec 13, 2022
My first car was an Austin A 70 which provided me with enough mechanical work to satisfy my needs and was generally reliable until I tried to climb a tree in Collie which wrote it off.
Next was a ford consul, far better condition and very reliable.
Cheers
RichardK
Mariner30 said
11:05 AM Dec 13, 2022
1968 HK Belmont Wagon,
Very, very basic and underpowered automobile.
Two tone Spew Green and Rust brown paint.
Bought for $750 at Christeys Auctions in Melbourne in 1975.
Practically wrote it off on a wet black soil back road near Bourke,
Still managed to drive it home...after repairs.
Two weeks later Abdul from Coburg went through a stop sign on Sydney Rd,
He really delivered the final nail in the coffin.
I was paid out nearly double what it cost me.
Next car was a 1974 HQ Kingswood Wagon,
Not quite 4 years old...
BY far the WORST car l have ever owned.
The last Holden my family ever bought.
For decades after.
Xyz said
11:15 AM Dec 13, 2022
valiant81 wrote:
My first car was a little morris elite that used to belong to my grandfather's at the time ( he by then was in a nursing home ). In two years i had that car, it was off the road more than on. After that i had a 1977 HZ holden auto with the 202 engine. Great car and i wish i had that car even now.
What great taste you had, likewise I alo had a Morris Major Elite, mine was so reliable considering the "thrashing " I gave it, never missed a beat.
I follwed up with a purple Capri
Thanks for the memory
86GTS said
11:28 AM Dec 13, 2022
Forgot to say that I learnt to drive in my Mum's Austin A30 that looked exactly like this one. One day she dropped me off on a corner & she decided to turn left, stabbing me in the guts with the indicator that came out of the door pillar.
valiant81 said
11:39 AM Dec 13, 2022
Yes i have had many cars over the years, after the holden i had a Datson 260z coupe, followed by a couple of ford falcons XA and a XB. Throw in a couple of Valiants, AP6, A CL wagon ( 318 V8 auto ) and a CM. This car was the last that were made befor being bought out by Mitsubishi on the 1st of April 1981, Mine was first regestered on the 10-04- 1981 and was regestered as a Mitsubishi ( turned a few heads when it ws time for insurance ). My last car was a 1999 AU ford that only this year and with 115,000 Kms was written off after a bit of a argument with a razer wire up the middle of the highway coming out of Launcestion. I now have a Hyundai Elantra and I'm quiet happy with that and also runs of ther smell of a oily rag ( 5.8 Ltrs /100 Kms ~ 40 + mpg ). The wife also has a Hyundai i30 for around 18 months now ( great little car ) and the reason why i chose the Elantra.
Craig1 said
11:58 AM Dec 13, 2022
How was the paint on your Bellet , kjb ? A couple bought a new one in Stanley in 1966/67 and washed off most of the paint by 1968.
Possum3 said
12:02 PM Dec 13, 2022
I had a few Late 20's early 30's Elliot Ness style jalopies that werer butchered - taking all timber and flammable seats and lining out of them to make stock cars/rods. It was after that I purchased a '27 Austin Seven and fitted a JWF "Milano 750" fibreglass body.
First road registered car was a 1932 Chevrolet sedan - put in a tongue and groove timber floor as original floor rusted out. Then an old 52 Wolseley 680, Ken Waggot did his magic on that, progressed to Borgward Isabella Coupe (which I still believe to be the finest driving machine ever built). Barracuda drop-top next, that thing was a magic vaccuum cleaner, (great for picking up fluff).
Then the family man "sedate" cars - Falcon Fairmont, a couple of Toyota's. Graduated to Rolls Royce with a '98 Silver spur - That could really fly.
Smart arse 4WD's then, Mitsubishi Pajero (Baja style) - still into 4WD's - on my third Nissan Patrol - Y62 TiL series 5, closest to having all the best features of the previous vehicles (style, comfort, speed, safety)
KJB said
12:43 PM Dec 13, 2022
Never had problems with Bellett paint ...probably "on par" with any other car.
I restored a '67 Bellett GT 8 years ago (still have it) and was able to use the original upholstery and head lining - still all serviceable and undamaged.
JeffRae said
12:47 PM Dec 13, 2022
First car 1958 FC Holden. Purchased in 1969 for $500.
Put in a new "long" motor and it lasted a number of years until I upgraded to 1969 HT Holden
I had a few Late 20's early 30's Elliot Ness style jalopies that werer butchered - taking all timber and flammable seats and lining out of them to make stock cars/rods. It was after that I purchased a '27 Austin Seven and fitted a JWF "Milano 750" fibreglass body.
First road registered car was a 1932 Chevrolet sedan - put in a tongue and groove timber floor as original floor rusted out. Then an old 52 Wolseley 680, Ken Waggot did his magic on that, progressed to Borgward Isabella Coupe (which I still believe to be the finest driving machine ever built). Barracuda drop-top next, that thing was a magic vaccuum cleaner, (great for picking up fluff).
Then the family man "sedate" cars - Falcon Fairmont, a couple of Toyota's. Graduated to Rolls Royce with a '98 Silver spur - That could really fly.
Smart arse 4WD's then, Mitsubishi Pajero (Baja style) - still into 4WD's - on my third Nissan Patrol - Y62 TiL series 5, closest to having all the best features of the previous vehicles (style, comfort, speed, safety)
The Milano 750 would have been a smart, sporty looking car back then - classic,purposeful,styling. Later GT versions were nice too.
The Borgward Isabella TS was a little known and under rated car in Australia. I was fortunate enough to do some miles in one in mid Sixties. KB
-- Edited by KJB on Tuesday 13th of December 2022 12:53:05 PM
Keith P said
01:39 PM Dec 13, 2022
I havent had many over the years as I tend to keep them a while apart from a couple.
Here they are in order of ownership...
1963 Morris 850 Mini
1969 Mini Cooper ( didnt own it long tho )
1971 Series 2 Mini Cooper S 1275 (wish I still had it now )
1969 Ht Holden Kingswood ( written off )
1972 XY Falcon 500 ute (biggest heap of junk I ever owned ....not owned for long)
1971 HG Kingswood ute (B&S this one ....bloke who bought it still has it )
1974 HQ 4 door Holden GTS Monaro (owned for 16 years)
1984 Peugeot 505 STI (owned this one for 31 years)
Couple of GQ Patrols...1 petrol and 1 diesel.
Now if the subject came up about bikes owned....well so far it has been more than 40 of them....but dont ask me to identify all of them now....I just numberd them after I got to 12.
Cheers Keith
-- Edited by Keith P on Tuesday 13th of December 2022 01:41:56 PM
dogbox said
03:57 PM Dec 13, 2022
1949 Volkswagen the one with the two piece rear windows
-- Edited by dogbox on Tuesday 13th of December 2022 03:57:48 PM
Possum3 said
05:43 PM Dec 13, 2022
KJB wrote:
The Milano 750 would have been a smart, sporty looking car back then - classic,purposeful,styling. Later GT versions were nice too.
The Borgward Isabella TS was a little known and under rated car in Australia. I was fortunate enough to do some miles in one in mid Sixties. KB
Milano 750 was the bee's knees, I fashioned a set of (leather with buckles) harness style seat belt, after seeing similar on racers in the US, mind you if I'd ever rolled it the moulded glass covered roll bar would have collapsed like a cardboard box. Then Bowell brought out the Mark Five (Mid '65) - my Fiance' wasn't keen on buying an EH to just pull to bits to make another bullet nosed two seater - so we bought a house instead.
KJB said
05:50 PM Dec 13, 2022
Possum3 wrote:
KJB wrote:
The Milano 750 would have been a smart, sporty looking car back then - classic,purposeful,styling. Later GT versions were nice too.
The Borgward Isabella TS was a little known and under rated car in Australia. I was fortunate enough to do some miles in one in mid Sixties. KB
Milano 750 was the bee's knees, I fashioned a set of (leather with buckles) harness style seat belt, after seeing similar on racers in the US, mind you if I'd ever rolled it the moulded glass covered roll bar would have collapsed like a cardboard box. Then Bowell brought out the Mark Five (Mid '65) - my Fiance' wasn't keen on buying an EH to just pull to bits to make another bullet nosed two seater - so we bought a house instead.
I was born with an interest in cars and the interest has not gone away! Currently restoring a 1967 Prince Skyline GTB.
Possum3 said
06:19 PM Dec 13, 2022
KJB wrote:
I was born with an interest in cars and the interest has not gone away! Currently restoring a 1967 Prince Skyline GTB.
The PrinceSkylineGTB made its debut at Suzuka in May 1964, with five cars contesting the 1000-2000cc Grand Touring class. Although a Porsche won, Skylines filled the next five places and the model became an overnight legend. ...
Mate of mine used to rally one - He was also very prominent in setting up suspensions for Baja cars in the early days of OME.
Whenarewethere said
06:26 PM Dec 13, 2022
First car was a Peugeot 504 second hand 7 years old, kept it going for another 18 years. Only got rid of it as I knew the next year would be a big one for maintenance.
I installed air conditioning, fridge, KEF hi-fi with subwoofers & 2 amps, first CD player available, air shocks & onboard air, electronic ignition, alloy wheels, halogen headlights 2 x 55w & 2 x 120w, relined the ceiling in velvet.
I leant to drive in the A60, 1960 model I think, yellow and black with 4 speed manual on the the, now what did they call that?????
Cheers
yobarr said
08:36 PM Dec 13, 2022
Austin Cooper S. 1310cc, highly modified, 648 cam, straight cut close ratio gearbox. That was in 1971, and it had 120hp at ground when I did a bit of racing in it. Finally blew up when I put Duckhams oil in it, and the motor rebuild meant that I had to sell it to be able to continue at University. Next car was a lot slower, a 1959 FC Holden Station Wagon, but it was a lot better for 'sleeping' in. Many in between, including LJ Torana XU-1 that had 250hp, a few Valiants, Falcons, Morris Oxford, (Supersafe because it was so slow!) Holden V8 panel van, and many others. Presently have 530hp SS Commodore parked-up in my NSW shed while I travel the country. Spent last 4 months is SW WA where it gets damned cold and wet at times. Should have moved on months ago, but enjoyed driving Road Trains for a bit of a change. Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Tuesday 13th of December 2022 08:50:04 PM
1st car was a VW Beetle, not quite as much white on sides
then a Mini Minor 850, red that was supposed to be fast because it was red. After that so many that so many others can't remember. Was a rev head all my life up till about 7 or 8 years ago and have slowed to a standstill now. Be a millionaire if it wasn't for doing up all my cars
-- Edited by Southern Cruizer on Tuesday 13th of December 2022 08:55:19 PM
First car was a Peugeot 504 second hand 7 years old, kept it going for another 18 years. Only got rid of it as I knew the next year would be a big one for maintenance.
I installed air conditioning, fridge, KEF hi-fi with subwoofers & 2 amps, first CD player available, air shocks & onboard air, electronic ignition, alloy wheels, halogen headlights 2 x 55w & 2 x 120w, relined the ceiling in velvet.
What no insulation Jonathan?????
Cuppa said
08:03 AM Dec 14, 2022
I learned to drive in several cars,- a soft top Morris Minor. (Called Mustapha). Dipswitch was on the floor. Owned by a mate's mother. She always encouraged us young'uns to have a drive when we went out.
Another mate's Triumph Herald - 'inherited' from his mother. The one I drove most
And yet another mate's Primrose Yellow soft top E-type Jag, bought very cheap because it was so full of rust. Quite exciting to drive though
All old jalopies then, but all quite collectable today !
-- Edited by Cuppa on Wednesday 14th of December 2022 08:04:27 AM
A bit of nostalgia. After getting my license in a Morris 850 Mini Minor in 1968 I bought my first car.
It was a Toyota Corolla 2 door sedan, 4CYL, 1100cc, four on the floor, with bucket seats.
It was a demo model, it cost me $1600 which took two years to pay off on HP.
It was a great first car, very frugal on fuel but I never really liked the color of it as it was a sort of a ''spew green''.
The longest trip that I did in it was from Melbourne to Katoomba in the Blue Mountains NSW on my honeymoon in 1972.
I did a lot of miles in the 5 years that I owned it & the motor was pretty ''clapped out'' when I traded it in on another car.
On the day that I picked up my new car the motor in my Corolla was almost dead, so much so that at traffic lights I had the front of my foot on the brake & my heel on the accelerator just to keep it idling over roughly.
It was using a lot of oil & had a very smokey exhaust.
This is a shot of a nice white one. You always have fond memories of your first car.
-- Edited by 86GTS on Tuesday 13th of December 2022 06:03:56 AM
My first car was a new 1966 Isuzu Bellett sedan which was used as daily transport and with enthusiasm in a wide variety of Club Motorsport events. They were good reliable cars. I have another identical Bellett now - a car that I have known since new.
Next was a ford consul, far better condition and very reliable.
Cheers
RichardK
Very, very basic and underpowered automobile.
Two tone Spew Green and Rust brown paint.
Bought for $750 at Christeys Auctions in Melbourne in 1975.
Practically wrote it off on a wet black soil back road near Bourke,
Still managed to drive it home...after repairs.
Two weeks later Abdul from Coburg went through a stop sign on Sydney Rd,
He really delivered the final nail in the coffin.
I was paid out nearly double what it cost me.
Next car was a 1974 HQ Kingswood Wagon,
Not quite 4 years old...
BY far the WORST car l have ever owned.
The last Holden my family ever bought.
For decades after.
What great taste you had, likewise I alo had a Morris Major Elite, mine was so reliable considering the "thrashing " I gave it, never missed a beat.
I follwed up with a purple Capri
Thanks for the memory
Forgot to say that I learnt to drive in my Mum's Austin A30 that looked exactly like this one.
One day she dropped me off on a corner & she decided to turn left, stabbing me in the guts with the indicator that came out of the door pillar.
First road registered car was a 1932 Chevrolet sedan - put in a tongue and groove timber floor as original floor rusted out. Then an old 52 Wolseley 680, Ken Waggot did his magic on that, progressed to Borgward Isabella Coupe (which I still believe to be the finest driving machine ever built). Barracuda drop-top next, that thing was a magic vaccuum cleaner, (great for picking up fluff).
Then the family man "sedate" cars - Falcon Fairmont, a couple of Toyota's. Graduated to Rolls Royce with a '98 Silver spur - That could really fly.
Smart arse 4WD's then, Mitsubishi Pajero (Baja style) - still into 4WD's - on my third Nissan Patrol - Y62 TiL series 5, closest to having all the best features of the previous vehicles (style, comfort, speed, safety)
Never had problems with Bellett paint ...probably "on par" with any other car.
I restored a '67 Bellett GT 8 years ago (still have it) and was able to use the original upholstery and head lining - still all serviceable and undamaged.
First car 1958 FC Holden. Purchased in 1969 for $500.
Put in a new "long" motor and it lasted a number of years until I upgraded to 1969 HT Holden
-- Edited by KJB on Tuesday 13th of December 2022 12:53:05 PM
I havent had many over the years as I tend to keep them a while apart from a couple.
Here they are in order of ownership...
1963 Morris 850 Mini
1969 Mini Cooper ( didnt own it long tho )
1971 Series 2 Mini Cooper S 1275 (wish I still had it now )
1969 Ht Holden Kingswood ( written off )
1972 XY Falcon 500 ute (biggest heap of junk I ever owned ....not owned for long)
1971 HG Kingswood ute (B&S this one ....bloke who bought it still has it )
1974 HQ 4 door Holden GTS Monaro (owned for 16 years)
1984 Peugeot 505 STI (owned this one for 31 years)
Couple of GQ Patrols...1 petrol and 1 diesel.
Now if the subject came up about bikes owned....well so far it has been more than 40 of them....but dont ask me to identify all of them now....I just numberd them after I got to 12.
Cheers Keith
-- Edited by Keith P on Tuesday 13th of December 2022 01:41:56 PM
-- Edited by dogbox on Tuesday 13th of December 2022 03:57:48 PM
I was born with an interest in cars and the interest has not gone away! Currently restoring a 1967 Prince Skyline GTB.
The Prince Skyline GTB made its debut at Suzuka in May 1964, with five cars contesting the 1000-2000cc Grand Touring class. Although a Porsche won, Skylines filled the next five places and the model became an overnight legend. ...
Mate of mine used to rally one - He was also very prominent in setting up suspensions for Baja cars in the early days of OME.
First car was a Peugeot 504 second hand 7 years old, kept it going for another 18 years. Only got rid of it as I knew the next year would be a big one for maintenance.
I installed air conditioning, fridge, KEF hi-fi with subwoofers & 2 amps, first CD player available, air shocks & onboard air, electronic ignition, alloy wheels, halogen headlights 2 x 55w & 2 x 120w, relined the ceiling in velvet.
Cyclops Roadster.
Picture for interest.
My roadster was a red one.
-- Edited by Cuppa on Tuesday 13th of December 2022 07:17:16 PM
Cheers
Austin Cooper S. 1310cc, highly modified, 648 cam, straight cut close ratio gearbox. That was in 1971, and it had 120hp at ground when I did a bit of racing in it. Finally blew up when I put Duckhams oil in it, and the motor rebuild meant that I had to sell it to be able to continue at University. Next car was a lot slower, a 1959 FC Holden Station Wagon, but it was a lot better for 'sleeping' in. Many in between, including LJ Torana XU-1 that had 250hp, a few Valiants, Falcons, Morris Oxford, (Supersafe because it was so slow!) Holden V8 panel van, and many others. Presently have 530hp SS Commodore parked-up in my NSW shed while I travel the country. Spent last 4 months is SW WA where it gets damned cold and wet at times. Should have moved on months ago, but enjoyed driving Road Trains for a bit of a change. Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Tuesday 13th of December 2022 08:50:04 PM
1st car was a VW Beetle, not quite as much white on sides
then a Mini Minor 850, red that was supposed to be fast because it was red. After that so many that so many others can't remember. Was a rev head all my life up till about 7 or 8 years ago and have slowed to a standstill now. Be a millionaire if it wasn't for doing up all my cars
-- Edited by Southern Cruizer on Tuesday 13th of December 2022 08:55:19 PM
What no insulation Jonathan?????
Another mate's Triumph Herald - 'inherited' from his mother. The one I drove most
And yet another mate's Primrose Yellow soft top E-type Jag, bought very cheap because it was so full of rust. Quite exciting to drive though
All old jalopies then, but all quite collectable today !
-- Edited by Cuppa on Wednesday 14th of December 2022 08:04:27 AM
Blinkers were illuminated arms that popped out of the B pillar
Brian
First car was a Ford Prefect Ute. Un-Killarney. No water pump so boiled most of the time which it didn't seem to mind for 10 years.
Neil