Hindsight and the AUII

[Bill M]

With the benefit of hindsight do you think the AU Falcon would have had a better reception if Ford had released it at AUII spec in 1998?
cheers
Bill.

[private9]

I love these threads! Can't wait to see all the AU bashing.

Give the AU forums a try mate.

[mcflux]

Well the only really nasty looking AU was the AUI Forte. (Apologies and condolences to all AU1 Forte owners).

The "waterfall" grille looked better colour coded (as per S-pack, X-pack, Sillouette & R-pack variants from memory), but having said that most base models don't look too flash. Think of XF/EA GLs compared to Ghias (grey bars, skinny rims/rubber etc).

AUII definitely was a smart move in making the car far more conservative in appearances, but I guess the damage was done by then (with respect to would-be owners being put off by the contraversial styling of the original AU model).

In a more concise answer to your question: yes. Although it was still waaaaaay different to the EL it replaced.

[Bill M]

Thanks for the replies, Private9 I didn't post this in the AU forums as I am interested in a broader view than just AU enthusiasts. Ghia5L, thats precisely what I am interested in, thanks.
cheers
Bill.

[private9]

Originally Posted by Ghia5L

Well the only really nasty looking AU was the AUI Forte. (Apologies and condolences to all AU1 Forte owners).

The "waterfall" grille looked better colour coded (as per S-pack, X-pack, Sillouette & R-pack variants from memory), but having said that most base models don't look too flash. Think of XF/EA GLs compared to Ghias (grey bars, skinny rims/rubber etc).

AUII definitely was a smart move in making the car far more conservative in appearances, but I guess the damage was done by then (with respect to would-be owners being put off by the contraversial styling of the original AU model).

In a more concise answer to your question: yes. Although it was still waaaaaay different to the EL it replaced.

Agree with you on all counts! Funnily enough though, EF and particularly EL were fairly controversial when they were released too.

[SpoolMan]

Originally Posted by Ghia5L

Well the only really nasty looking AU was the AUI Forte. (Apologies and condolences to all AU1 Forte owners).

Save your condolences for another model, as a AU 1 owner and this car was in my family for 6 years, and now has a new home with another Forum Member here.
$110 on a grill, $250 spoiler, $250 on springs we were more than happy how our AU 1 looked, in fact looks a lot better than some earlier model Falcons.
I hope some of the Falcons of today can take half the punishment this car coped on the black top and still on its factory auto untouched as is the bottom end and the steering feels better than my BA and BF.
Want a good car that's great value buy a AU..

.

[mcflux]

Originally Posted by SpoolMan

Save your condolences for another model, as a AU 1 owner and this car was in my family for 6 years, and now has a new home with another Forum Member here.
$110 on a grill, $250 spoiler, $250 on springs we were more than happy how our AU 1 looked, in fact looks a lot better than some earlier model Falcons.
I hope some of the Falcons of today can take half the punishment this car coped on the black top and still on its factory auto untouched as is the bottom end and the steering feels better than my BA and BF.
Want a good car that's great value buy a AU..

.

Well, I'm inclined to agree with you that your example looks far better than standard, & I like what you've done to it there, good work ;)

But factory standard AU1 Fortes just don't do it for me (outside appearance. I don't mind the interior & am impressed with the drivetrain). EA-EB1 GLs don't do it for me either (this coming from an e-series fanatic) with grey bumpers & pov interiors, some even copping CFI!

-Dave-

[private9]

Originally Posted by Ghia5L

Well, I'm inclined to agree with you that your example looks far better than standard, & I like what you've done to it there, good work ;)

But factory standard AU1 Fortes just don't do it for me (outside appearance. I don't mind the interior & am impressed with the drivetrain). EA-EB1 GLs don't do it for me either (this coming from an e-series fanatic) with grey bumpers & pov interiors, some even copping CFI!

-Dave-

How can you possibly knock an EA-EB1 GL?! Here's one that'll change your mind forever!

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1990-EA-Ford-...QQcmdZViewItem
Specially ordered seat cover too!

Or maybe this one!
http://www.fordmods.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=51284

[JBomb3000]

Originally Posted by Bill M

With the benefit of hindsight do you think the AU Falcon would have had a better reception if Ford had released it at AUII spec in 1998?
cheers
Bill.

I think it would have helped a little as the 2 had a more conservative and "together" look than than the 1 but i don't think it would have been enough to stop the flood away from the falcon which occurred after the AU launch.

[Fairlane]

AU2 would have done pretty well if realised first, i think sure VT was on a roll by late 1998, but Falcon had a chance to claw its way back bit like the VR vs EF days.

Now the AU1 Forte is in my opinion still a bad idea- i dont mind the waterfall grille though, i think its the stance that killed it.

It bad still crummy tyres, hubcaps high suspension, funny dash, orange indicator lenses and light grey interior it all didnt measure up against the VT and felt more 1994 than 2000- not to mention it had a stipped out povo pack feel which the VT didnt have.

Whats unforgivable for me though it Ford used the Forte as its hero model - Awful move, who the hell uses the forte as a hero model, god when youve got a VCT, IRS, Kitted up and jazzed up Fairmont Ghia and XR6 who in the world spends they're advertising budget on the Forte.

Now the AU2/3 is a different kettle of fish and i think it would have stood a shot in 98 vs the VT, Ford learnt its lesson to an extent and ultimately if you go to extremes if the AU3 was realised in 1998 without the stipped out pricing, it probably would have wiped the board, imagine 200kw Xr8's and nice clean Falcon SR's in 1998 even if sold for 35/36k and 48k respecitvely would have been a good bet IMO.

[Casper]

Originally Posted by Fairlane

Whats unforgivable for me though it Ford used the Forte as its hero model - Awful move, who the hell uses the forte as a hero model, god when youve got a VCT, IRS, Kitted up and jazzed up Fairmont Ghia and XR6 who in the world spends they're advertising budget on the Forte.

Bingo.. Ford advertising was pathetic, inexcusable and totally brain dead. They were their own worst enemy.
The XR's sold in unprecedented numbers, they should have used these cars for the advertising up front.. but noooooo, they did the usual Ford thing and stuffed the advertising up as usual.

I get the feeling Ford use the same logic for both Ford advertising and Ford service. The "lets be as crap as possible" concept.

[mcflux]

They were?

Well I remember first getting into a (then new) EF as a kid, & I thought it looked a bit "girly" compared to the boxcars & x-series. Then again, my old man's EF was a mocha foam colour with the pinkish grey interior to match.

Dad then decided against upgrading to an EL when they came out because he didn't like the oval grille.

The first ford I vividly remember the release was was the AU though (which is why this thread topic interested me). Hooboy did we (the ford boys) cop it at school, all the holden boys couldn't get enough of the AU, and even the ricers were bagging Fords!

Actually I recall some controversy on the EF's part for the VR getting a COTY gong but the EF missing out the next year?

[jonk]

They should've made the independent rear suspension standard. I had a mate who managed to get his company to options the base model AU with it, what dream to drive that was.

Even after he left the company, I chased that car for nearly two years after he left so I could buy it, buy they held onto it.

[falzoony]

I think that the same should have changed from the au1 to the au2, I think it would have been a better marketing ploy just like the vt/vx. they were mechanically the same but had a major facelift.

[blackwood]

I concur with most of the points above.
I believe Frod would have had a better chance with the AU had they released in '98
with S2 styling, IRS across the board and if the base model didn't have such a crud
name.
Seriously, Forte? What were they thinking? They could have called it 500 or something.
(I still secretly wait for the return of the 500 nameplate, lol)
There marketing was definately not the best. However I can still watch an ad for the
S1 and feel all nostalgic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEe4O2lYCnA

Also, as soon as Ford new that the Gen 3 was coming plans should have been
put in motion to have the 220kW XR8 ready for combat.
T-Series should have the stroker from day one.

All I can say is, Ford definately learned a hard lesson from the AU.

[private9]

Originally Posted by blackwood

There marketing was definately not the best. However I can still watch an ad for the
S1 and feel all nostalgic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEe4O2lYCnA

All I can say is, Ford definately learned a hard lesson from the AU.

Yuk! I own an AU and I still feel sick after watching that ad!

[Billy351]

Originally Posted by private9

Yuk! I own an AU and I still feel sick after watching that ad!

The ad with the guy jumping up and down on a bed was worse, suspension testing? Ford live it!. lol

[GK]

Ford advertising seems to always miss the mark. Why are they so scared to get the blood pumping?

With regards to the S1, nobody has yet mentioned the woeful single pot callipers. What a disgrace!

Whist I agree the grille on the Forte was horrible, the Futura grille still looks nice IMO. I still like the swooping bonnet of my S1 Futura wagon. I like it much better than the front of my S2 SR!

As far as value for money goes, I agree totally with Spoolman. AU=Gold=awesome value!

GK

[V3RSAC3]

Originally Posted by blackwood

There marketing was definately not the best. However I can still watch an ad for the
S1 and feel all nostalgic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEe4O2lYCnA

i need to be sick lolz ... they could ov at least done what everybody else does and show the XR6 with the "falcon' plate on it, or Fairmont ... hahaha ... but god that add was corny hahaha

[blk_frmnt]

Originally Posted by blackwood

However I can still watch an ad for the
S1 and feel all nostalgic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEe4O2lYCnA

I just cried a little...

[boris]

Yeah, I reckon if they had have gone with the AU2 front, and the irs and vct down to the futura models, they would have done much better. As far as the v8 goes they should never have designed with the windsor in mind, let alone the 5.0, that said, while the 351 would not fit the 330 would this would have given them a much better starting point to develop from, and ford new the gen 3 was coming they just thought holden would use the 5.3ltre for the base cars and the 5.7 for hsv, big mistake, never underestimating the enemy!

[Auslandau]

The Forte and Futura series 1 were the ultimate disaster! I had a ghia series 1 for a while and still think it was a better car than my BA. It was doomed from the the start as was said above ..... The Forte was the one they pushed! The Fairlane was boring and the LTD ..... god was there one!

Once the change was made to the series 2 ....... it was way too late. Good car, shocker front and dash!

The ghia and the XR's were / are spot on from the start! (XR's also made big improvements though)



| [/url] |

[buickman]

[

QUOTE=auslandau]
The ghia and the XR's were / are spot on from the start! (XR's also made big improvements though)

[/QUOTE]

I agree on that having owned a AU1 Ghia it was a great car and AU's a still good cars for the money. I currently drive a EB its a POS compared to the AU in every way.

[Billy351]

Ford made the mistake of copying the aweful plastic grille from the VT Calais and using it on its base model, the Forte. This is what they were most criticised for, the grinning Forte grille. Holden got away with it because they used it on the Calais rather than the base, fleet, everyday in your face model.

[FORD3V]

In hindsight I doubt ford would have released any AU's............

[SpoolMan]

The marketing of 10 years ago isn’t of what it is today..
2 Holden adds from the same era VS series 2 and VT .


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IrBD96-m2g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQib_twtfRg

[LeadFoot81]

That AU as wasnt so bad, pretty high production values, very slick, but it was far too American for my taste (not just because of the music) Holdens VT ad wasnt much better (altho every time I see a Holden ad I feel like Im being told Holden IS the best and that i want one NOW)

[V3RSAC3]

i love the AU's, but i can't say that i am a fan of the S1 Forte grill .. the S2 & 3 looked so much nicer IMO ...

however, i prefer the Fairmont S1's grill over the S2 & 3 all day everyday ... i just like the stip that goes through the centre ... but thats just my view, makes it look classier!!! (no offence to the S2 & 3 owners)

[falzoony]

Yeah Im not a fan opf the 'waterfall' grill. then they had a few of the later model s1's with the ute grill, that didnt fix much either, still ugly.
http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/Ar...ID=10575&vf=18
this is a great article. love this quote
"And that's really the AU Falcon in a nutshell: nice legs, shame about the face."

[Bucknaked]

Needs a bulge :