aAs a kid in the ’60s, I had my childhood obsession with Italian sports cars and Australian muscle cars. An odd mix, some might say, but while the allure of purebred European breeds is obvious,
I think my paradoxical fascination with domestic work horses is justified.
Our roads were once dominated by Holden, Ford and Chrysler, and this was a fascinating period for diverse design, as each brand had its own genetic code. Their individual personalities set the scene for fierce brand loyalty and a dogmatic barbecue. At the time, my father’s pride and joy was the Holden EH Special with the 179 Hydramatic. Perhaps it was this early indoctrination that sent me down a complex path to work at Holden.
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Without excluding some important earlier work, it’s fair to say that automotive design really got serious in Australia in the late 1960s. The Big Three had new design centers and under the guidance of more experienced American design directors, local talent helped create our own unique interpretations. So, let’s put aside any short-sighted rivalries of the brand for a moment and salute some of Australia’s great car designs of the past.
Although based on the American-designed XR, the Falcon XW-XY models were pretty good looking roosters. The XY in particular was a very good design with a majestic stance and excellent details. The small proportions easily translated into one of the best-looking GT sedans in the world. At the same time, Holden launched the local architecture of Hong Kong and launched the first generation of the Monaro. It’s sleek and clean with a pillarless roofline, and it nicely captured the swinging mood of the ’60s.
Enter the 1970s and Australia spoiled by three new Australian releases; Holden HQ, Ford XA and Valiant VH. Three very different design languages, albeit influenced by the parent company’s ethos, but implemented in a uniquely Australian fashion. I would argue that the proportions of Australian cars were often better than their full-size counterparts in the United States. Best of all, the three brands offer different types of locally designed coupe.
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By any objective measure, the Monaro, the Falcon Hardtop, and the Charger were great designs in their day and each of them flexed their muscles with individual bravery. The Monaro was sculpted and elegant, with a streamlined surface and blisters on the fender. In a bold contrast, the Falcon Hardtop was a beast of frightening size around the rear quarter, only begging for massive wheels to fill the arches. The slender Charger had a sharp, grooved profile, complemented by supportive buttstocks and a distinctive duck tail.
All three were design victories and epitomized the Halcyon days of automobile design in this country, furthering our motoring culture and motorsport folklore. Unfortunately, after this peak period, the automotive landscape has changed, and corporate strategies have shifted away from this genre.
However, industry battles continued and a resurgence occurred in the late 1980s. In 1988, VN Commodore and EA Falcon were launched. Once again, the two brands are closed, and EA deserves its podium place for one of the top-of-the-line Falcons. It was crisp and bold, with a modern product design feel to it, despite its initial low-tech drivetrain.
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Holden’s real renaissance was the VT Commodore and its derivatives such as the statesman and the third generation Monaro. It opened export markets, making it the launch pad for the VE-VF architecture; The first all-new architecture since the headquarters and arguably the best car ever developed in Australia in its own period.
While recent auction prices for historic Australian cars may be fueled by nostalgic investment speculation, I tend to believe we finally appreciate the significance of our great automobile history.
Thus, it turns out that cars made in Australia retained their resale value after all.
Richard Ferlazzo is the former design director of General Motors Holden