Australia isn’t known solely for its outback and Crocodile Dundee. The country has also managed to make a name for itself in the world of the automobile. Now how did the Land Down Under managed to do that? Well, by releasing the Holden Torana.

Developed by General Motors – Holden, a subsidiary of General Motors, the first generation of the Holden Torana debuted in 1967 and lasted until 1969. It came in two types of trims: the two-door sedan and the four-door sedan. Under the hood, each HB Torana was equipped with a 1.2 liter engine with four cylinders. This allowed the sedan to produce 56 bhp. Along with the engine, the Torana was also equipped with a four-speed gearbox, front and rear drum brakes, optional power assisted front disc brakes, and a set of 12-inch wheels.

Since 56 horsepower wasn’t much to speak of, changes were inevitably made to the vehicle in 1968. It was given an engine upgrade, which gave it a higher compression ratio, a higher lift camshaft, and a single CD Stromberg carburetor. These add-ons helped the ’68 Torana produce 69 bhp. Aside from this model, a Brabham Torana (named in honor of Australian racer Sir Jack Brabham) was created. This sported a more powerful engine enabling it to produce up to 79 horsepower at every outing.

The last model produced for the first generation HB Torana was the ’69 model. This version reverted back to the use of the standard 56 bhp engine. It did however sport a number of features such as collapsible steering column combined with a recessed instrument cluster, new indicator switch, a new steering wheel, and dual circuit brakes to compensate for the decrease in power.

Although it really doesn’t look like much at first glance, the first generation of the HB Torana does have some potential to be something of a looker once it’s customized. Just take a look at the image above. That could be you with that beautiful lady by your side, along with that supped up Torana. Not a bad deal, right?

Source: Wikipedia, Canberratoranaclub

During the 1950’s to the 1960’s, car owners had a penchant for vehicles that had fins at its rear end. We’re guessing this stemmed from the idea that cars would one day end up flying, with the fins serving as its wings. But since we weren’t born during that time, we’re just simply guessing here. One vehicle that took advantage of having a huge set of wings…uh, we mean fins, was the 1960-1962 Chrysler 300.

To distinguish the vehicles produced from 1960 to 1962, Chrysler had each model change the letter that came after the number 300. In 1960, the coupe was called the 300-F. In 1961 it was christened the 300-G while in 1962, it was labeled the 300-H. But despite the name changes, one consistent thing that Chrysler did was to have it carry two standard vehicle styles. All three models came as a 2-door hardtop (which enjoyed huge production numbers) and a convertible (which only had very limited number of units).

Despite these similarities, each model of the Chrysler 300 did carry some features that made them distinct from one another. The 1960 Chrysler 300-F for instance was given an optional 400-bhp ram-manifold wedgehead V-8 and an optional Pont-a-Mousson four-speed manual gearbox. It also allowed owners to choose between the available axle ratios of 2.93 and 2.73. Bucket seats and a front and rear console were also added. For the 1961 300-G model, Chrysler incorporated a unique inverted trapezoid grille along with a unique set of canted, vertical headlights. A three-speed manual transmission was added along with a set of 15-inch wheels. The last version, which was the 300-H retained the qualities of the previous models, with the only difference being that this model had a wheelbase that was 4-inch shorter.

Despite experiencing a decline in production as well as lasting only three years, the three models of the Chrysler 300 is something that you won’t forget easily. With its unique look and features, it’s definitely one of the classic cars of its generation.

Source: How Stuff Works

Any car that carries the name Silver Hawk must be really good (and must have been named after that popular cartoon show in the 80’s). So we’re glad to let you know that the automobile does live up to the hype and intimidation factor that its name carries. Here’s what the model produced by Studebaker from 1959 to 1961 (although it dropped the Silver starting in 1960) brought to the table when it was first unveiled to the public.

While still carrying the moniker Silver Hawk, the vehicle was given two engine options. There was the 2.8-liter engine that enabled the car to produce 90 hp. What makes this engine unique was that it was smaller than the Silver Hawk’s older engine types. The second engine option was a 4.2-liter V8 engine that was able to dish out either 180 hp or 195 hp, depending on the carburetor you’re using.

Aside from the two engine options offered, Studebaker offered some changes in the exterior of the vehicle. A new set of tailfins were developed and placed at the rear of the vehicle. The Silver Hawk name, which was previously written on the trunk lid, was relegated to the vehicle’s side. The parking lights of the car were also adjusted from the front fenders. Instead, Studebaker had them placed on the car’s side grilles. Chrome moldings surrounding the windows were also added to the mix. Lastly, even though previous models carried a two-tone paint scheme, it was dropped during the production of the 1959 Silver Hawk (although it was still available as an option overseas).

Although the Silver Hawk had a number of unique features (and a cool name), it still had some drawbacks. One of these was that the vehicle was very susceptible to rust and oil leaks. Another problem car owners encountered (although not as bad as the first one) was the lack of a hardtop option.

However, despite these problems, the Studebaker Silver Hawk is considered a classic vintage ride in its own right. And Studebaker’s stud-of-a-vehicle.

Sources: How Stuff Works, Wikipedia

Famous people are known to ride very expensive cars. And the car that made the rounds as a celebrity’s choice during its heyday was the Rolls Royce Phantom V. Produced from 1959 to 1968, it became the standard carriage of a Beatle, a queen, and an Asian governor. Talk about achieving worldwide popularity.

So how did the Rolls Royce Phantom V achieve the distinction of being a car of choice by celebrities? Well, the main reason was its exclusivity. Only a total of 516 units of the Phantom V were made. In terms of production, that’s just a handful.

But even if it is as a luxury car used by popular personalities, don’t think that the Phantom V is just all style and no substance. Underneath its hood, Rolls-Royce equipped this four-door sedan with a 90-degree V-8 engine that has a capacity of 6,230 cc. It’s paired up with twin SU carburetors and a four-speed automatic transmission. Drum brakes and a wheel base measuring 3,683 mm were also added to the mix.

Okay, now to the juicy part. Who were the people caught using this luxury sedan? Well, there’s John Lennon, whose Phantom V carried a psychedelic paint job. Then there’s Queen Elizabeth II and her mom, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Their Phantom Vs were officially made state cars. Last was the Governor of Hong Kong, who used it for ceremonial purposes (it was unceremoniously stopped though when China took over Honk Kong in 1997).

Aside from being used by celebrities, the Rolls-Royce Phantom V also appeared in a string of movies. There’s Help in 1965, Herbie Rides Again in 1974, and most recently, Spider-Man in 2002 and What a Girl Wants in 2003.

Given its popularity, it’s safe to say that if there was a car that should be considered one of the top celebrities in the automotive industry, the Rolls Royce Phantom V would be given that distinction.

Source: Wikipedia

Looking back at how automobiles were designed in the 1920’s, it’s pretty amazing how those vehicles evolved into the modern day rides that we know today. But even though they’re not as sleek as the current generation, they’re still able to maintain a touch of class and elegance. Just take a look at the 1923 Chevrolet Superior Series B.

During its production run, the Superior Series B was given an array of vehicle classes. These were the four-door touring version that accommodated five passengers, the two-door roadster which could take in two passengers, the two door utility coupe which fit two passengers, the two-door sedanette that could fit four passengers, the four-door sedan that allowed five passengers, and the Superior Utility coupe that fit two passengers.

What made the 1923 Chevrolet Superior Series B a must-have during its heyday wasn’t just the features General Motors put in like extra wide doors, regulated windows or stylish and comfortable upholstery. Its price was a major factor that contributed to the success of the vehicle. That’s why even up until this day, car collectors are still going nuts over this series.

So if your family happens to have on that’s been passed on from generation to generation, be sure to take care it. There’s nothing like it in today’s generation of vehicles anymore.

Sources: GM Photo Store, Groovy Chevy

The Toyota Corolla has become pretty popular over the years. It’s like everywhere you go, you’re bound to see one parked or heading down the street with you. Since this vehicle managed to make a huge impact, let’s try and take a look at the vehicle that started it all: the first generation Toyota Corolla.

Christened the Corolla E10, this first generation came in three body styles: a 2-door coupe, a 4-door sedan, and a 4-door station wagon. It was first released in October 1966 and was produced until 1970. Upon its release, the Corolla E10 became the rival of the Datsun 1000.

Under the hood, Toyota equipped the Corolla E10 with a 1000 cc tax class engine but was later changed to a bigger 1077 cc engine. It underwent an upgrade in 1969 when it was given an 1166 cc engine. Other engine types that were used include a twin carburetor K-B 1077 cc engine and a 3K-B 1166 cc engine. Both were used for the SL versions of the Corolla E10.

Aside from its various engines, Toyota equipped the Corolla E10 with a unique 2-speed and 4-speed floor shift manual transmission. What made the use of this transmission unique was it was primarily used by trucks back then. Even though there was a worry about a decrease in torque, the transmission helped skyrocket the E10’s popularity among car owners.

Thanks to the popular run of theToyota Corolla E10, the Corolla line was able to enjoy continuous success. A success which still lasts even up until this day.

Source: Wikipedia

Would you be willing to spend at least forty grand to pay for a vintage car? If it was a old, rusted and beat-up automobile, you’d probably end shaking your head violently while screaming “hell no!” and then bolting out immediately (or you could end up flipping one of your fingers in disgust). Of course, that opinion of yours could change if you saw this Plymouth being offered to you.

This four-wheeled classic is a 1965 Plymouth Sport Fury. Although changes were already made to this vehicle like its engine and the transmission being rebuilt, it’s still most likely capable of performing – if not better – than just like it did during its prime.

So what was this beauty like back then? Well, when it was first released, this third generation Plymouth Sport Fury sported an array of features such as automatic transmission, power steering, vinyl tops, white sidewall tires, upholstered interiors, thick carpeting, and air conditioning. Its headlights were stacked up instead of being placed side-by-side, like the ones used by the previous generations of Sport Furys. Aside from these unique features, this Plymouth Sports Fury also carried four engine types during its production run: a 7.0-liter V8 engine, a 6.3-liter V8 engine, a 5.2-liter V8 engine, and a 3.7-liter I6 engine.

Of course, with this version of the Plymouth Sport Fury, the only original feature that this ride was able to retain was its interior (that doesn’t include its carpeting though). But despite the changes done to this vehicle, you can’t help but consider it a thing of beauty. From its sleek exterior (which by the way carries a rich-looking maroon body paint) to its upholstered interior, this specific car is definitely something that would make you consider shelling out that hard-earned cash of yours.

Sources: Jalopnik, Wikipedia

A Post-war classic. That would best describe the 1948 Cadillac. Known during an era where having tailfins at the rear was cool, this classic sedan was one of the top automobiles of its generation. What also adds to the vehicle’s coolness factor is the fact that it takes its design cues from the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, one of the planes used during the Second World War. Harley J. Earl, styling chief of General Motors at that time, got the idea of having tailfins incorporated into the Cadillac thanks to the Lockheed’s twin rudders. But, tailfins aside, there’s a lot more to the 1948 Cadillac. Just take a look below.

Under the hood: Being a post war automobile, you’d think that General Motors would scrimp out on giving it a powerful engine. Thankfully, the company didn’t and ended up equipping the car with an L-Head V-8 engine. This allowed the ’48 Cadillac to produce 150bhp at 3,400 RPM and 260 lb-ft of torque at 1,700 RPM. Pretty powerful, especially since this was the late 40’s and automobiles were still in their infancy (or probably pre-teens).

Special Features: Of course, one of this is its tailfins. This is what pretty much defined the Cadillac during this time. Because of these tailfins, General Motors was able to bring out the rear of the vehicle even more. But even if the rear made history, that doesn’t mean the Cadillac’s front end was a slouch. The front bumpers carried a shell-shaped bumper guard as part of its bumper assembly. This resulted in the front bumper earning the moniker Dagmars. Later models had these bumper guards blend in with the bumper of the Cadillac itself. On top of having a fabulous front and rear exterior, the 1948 Cadillac also sported a unique dashboard. The gauges and controls of its instrumental panels were given a unique drum housing design. Sadly, this design lasted only a year due to its expensiveness.

Overall, the 1948 Cadillac was one of the vehicles you had to have during the post-war era. While it won’t be able to compare to the power and speed of today’s vehicles, it’s able to make up for what it lacks in performance today through its classic and sophisticated design.

Sources: How Stuff Works, Wikipedia, Concept Carz, Second Chance Garage, Home.Teleport.com

Mercury Comet. Sounds like something taken from the science fiction world, doesn’t it? Well, those two words happen to be the name of a vehicle line created by Mercury from 1960 to 1977. The Mercury division, which was part of the Ford Motor Company, created the Mercury Comet sedan alongside the Ford Falcon (which led to them having the same platform). One of the Comet’s recognizable vehicles is the 1965 Mercury Comet Caliente.

The 1965 Mercury Comet Caliente is a two-door coupe and is one of the trims of the Mercury Cyclone. It was considered a luxury version of the Comet when the vehicle first came out. Carrying a body that resembles that of a Cadillac, the Mercury Comet Caliente sported two engine types: a 6-cylinder base engine and an 8-cylinder engine. Accompanying the 6-cylinder engine was a single-barrel carburetor while the 8-cylinder engine had a two-barrel carburetor. This allowed the Caliente to produce 120 horsepower when using the 6-cylinder engine and 200 horsepower when using the 8-cylinder engine. The engines can also be partnered with either a three-speed automatic transmission (which was later changed to a Merc-O-Matic 3-speed automatic transmission) or a four-speed manual transmission. But what gives this vehicle its value for money label is its ability to get you places without having to undergo regular major repairs. It allows you to get by most of the time through routine maintenance.

Since it was created during the time when style was more important than substance (it was the 60’s you know), the 1965 Mercury Comet Caliente was given a chic interior. Vinyl upholstery was used along with a walnut-like color for its instrumental panel and steering wheel.

While the 1965 Mercury Comet Caliente was a class on its own, it did have one thing going against it: its price tag. The coupe was being sold by Mercury at $2,352. It was definitely way more expensive than a Ford Falcon, which was priced at $1,977. And to top it all, you just needed to add an additional $20 and you had yourself a 1965 Ford Mustang.

But regardless of how pricey it may have come off, the 1965 Mercury Comet Caliente was a car you’d like to be caught driving in during its time. It not only connotes a sense of luxury thanks to its stylish interior and exterior, it also impresses a sense of reliability as a result of its dependable engine and components.

Sources: Jalopnik, Wikipedia, Old Ride, Cars On Line

If your dad or grandfather saw what was done to this luxury sedan, there’s a possibility that they might turn their heads away in disgust. But even though this sedan was given a major image overhaul, you (along with your dad and granddad) have to admit, it does have a very unique look to it.

The sedan posted above is none other than a customized 1970 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow. As a backgrounder, the Silver Shadow was Rolls-Royce way of adapting to the changing times. It’s recognized as the first Rolls–Royce sedan that was given a monocoque chassis. This means that the body and chassis of this sedan were combined to form a single unit. The Silver Shadow line has six variants with the first model released in 1965. As of date, this vehicle line is considered to have the largest production output of all Rolls Royce vehicles. It’s also considered the most successful vehicle model produced by the company to date.

So, what does this pimped-up 1970 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow have that its other siblings lack? Well, for one, a very powerful engine. Compared to the V8 engines used - which were able to produce around 172 to 189 horsepower - this customized Rolls Royce sports a 9.7-liter supercharged Hemi engine. This jacked-up engine allows the Silver Shadow to emit an outstanding 1,350 horsepower, every time you floor it. This is just a prime example of what happens to a car when it’s given its own version of steroids.

Aside from its powerful engine, the supped 1970 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow ditched its monocoque chassis and replaced it with a customized one to match its new look. Also added were a new set of leather upholstery, air suspension, and a nitrous injection system. And if you thought that was it, here’s the real kicker. This sedan is equipped with four sets of television screens, with one of them in the trunk. I guess you’ll find that useful in case it takes hours for you to clean out the junk you have at the back.

Overall, this 1970 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow stands out as an innovative looking ride. It may not be as sleek looking as your modern day supercars, but it sure as hell can give them a run for their money.

Sources: TopSpeed, Wikipedia, Car Domain Blog