Best 6 Aussie Ford Muscle Cars vs. Holden's best 6 Muscle Cars

[madmatty]

here my 2 cents

XA GT PH4
XY GT P3
XC COBRA 5.8
FPV BF GTP
FPV FG F6


W427
A9X
VL GROUP A
VK BROCK
XU1

[mcnews]

Holden never made a fast 70s or 80s era car. All the famed greats such as Monaros, Toranas in all forms etc. were never remotely fast in standard form. A 3 speed Valiant Hemi 245 Pacer was quicker than all the Monaros in standard form, a 3 speed E38 Charger was faster accelerating than even the trickest V8 Torana. The six cylinder Toranas (XU1s) were so ridiculously slow in standard form that it is a joke.

That said however, a 327 HK Monaro is for me the most attractive. But not for performance, at least not in standard form.

I have all the original magazines from the era, and really, the 1/4 mile times for most of the Holdens people dream about rarely get into the 15s, most are 16 second cars.

For driving pleasure in STANDARD form the only Aussie muscle cars of the earlier eras worth driving were the sixpack Chargers and the GTHO Falcons. Everything else is so mind numbingly slow it is not funny. In full cheat mode race trim then the Holdens were quick, but in standard form they were woeful.

[TZENU]

XA GTHO P4
XY GTHO P3
XW GTHO P2
XC Cobra
XR GT
XB GT

HK GTS
HT GTS
A9X
LC GTR
LH SLR 5000
VK Grp A

[GEE-347]

XY GTHO P3
XW GTHO P2
XE ESP
XA GTHO P4
XB GT
XR GT

VK Grp A
LJ XU 1
HK GTS
HT GTS
A9X
LH G-PAK Torana

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by mcnews

Holden never made a fast 70s or 80s era car. All the famed greats such as Monaros, Toranas in all forms etc. were never remotely fast in standard form. A 3 speed Valiant Hemi 245 Pacer was quicker than all the Monaros in standard form, a 3 speed E38 Charger was faster accelerating than even the trickest V8 Torana. The six cylinder Toranas (XU1s) were so ridiculously slow in standard form that it is a joke.

That said however, a 327 HK Monaro is for me the most attractive. But not for performance, at least not in standard form.

I have all the original magazines from the era, and really, the 1/4 mile times for most of the Holdens people dream about rarely get into the 15s, most are 16 second cars.

For driving pleasure in STANDARD form the only Aussie muscle cars of the earlier eras worth driving were the sixpack Chargers and the GTHO Falcons. Everything else is so mind numbingly slow it is not funny. In full cheat mode race trim then the Holdens were quick, but in standard form they were woeful.

So not only didn't you answer the question but you managed to hijack it with your pro charger stuff and bag out holden!!!

[mcnews]

Just providing the facts to correct some preconceptions based in myth that any Holden muscle car was remotely fast. Some were pretty, and I quite like some of them. But they are all s-l-o-w

[RedHotGT]

Ford
1. XA GT-HO Phase IV Production Car
2. XY GT-HO Phase III
3. XA GT-HO Phase IV Race Car Spec
4. XR GT
5. XC Cobra (one of the first 30)
6. FG F6 (I haven't had a go in one yet!)

Holden:
1. LX A9X
2. HK GTS 327
3. VK Group A
4. VL Walkinshaw
5. HQ GTS
6. A Read Sandman (HZ I think?)

Thats my list...

[AMCE]

Good stuff everyone! Im LOVING this!
Its true that MOST "muscle" cars of the 70's and 80's were slow - Ford and Holdens (and really... Valiants too).
Especially after pollution restrictions kicked in.
However, I think this is missing the point. I have come to learn, and appreciate, what a muscle car actually is.
It is not about accelaration or top speed, because a standard 6cyl these days will do better than the old V8's. It is about the EXPERIENCE.
For example, I drive an FG GT, but I also drive around some older Ford muscle cars - some of which people have listed here.
Guess which car Id rather be in to have fun...? Yep - and its not the FG GT. Yes the FG GT is quicker, better handling, etc. Its even more powerful.
But the cars I cant wait to get in are the old cars. Yes - they are slower - no question. But its the experience that counts - the sound - the noise - the challenge - the looks you get from people.
So I dont think people love muscle cars because they are quick. They love the nostalgia and presence. They are so anti social in an age of conservatism.

Finally, these old classics have a reputation of being fast. They probably were in their time, and frankly they are if you remember they have no airbags, crap brakes etc...
But its all in the mystique - the myth. We, as entusiasts, know the true performance these old cars were capable of. But your average bloke who knows nothing of accelartion times, couldn't give a hoot! Thoe cars LOOK fast and SOUND fast.

[jcxr]

Nice to see that nearly all agree that the XR Gt rates so highly.

[AMCE]

I can't believe how popular the XR GT has been? I was not expecting this?

[Rodp]

Originally Posted by Wild High

I can't believe how popular the XR GT has been? I was not expecting this?

First of the Falcon GT's. Would be nice to drive the vehicle that started it all. (excluding the Mustangs...)

[castellan]

Ford
1. XW GT-HO P2
2. XY GT-HO P3
3. XW GT-HO
4. XA GT
5. XT GT
6. XR GT

Holden
1. HT GTS 350
2. HG GTS 350
3. LH L34
4. LH SLR 5000
5. HK GTS 327
6. HG 308 MONARO
I don't think 1980's EFI cars, can be referred to as a muscle car. but performance cars from then on i would call them.

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by mcnews

Holden never made a fast 70s or 80s era car..

Disagree. The VN SS Group A was a 14 second car when it first came out.

Anyway for me...

Ford-

1- XY GTHO Phase 3
2- XA GTHO Phase 4
3- XC Cobra
4- XR GT
5- XB GT Coupe
6- XW GTHO phase 1, and 2

Holden-

1- HK 327 GTS Monaro
2- HT 350 GTS Monaro
3- LH SLR5000
4- VL Walkinshaw
5- VN SS Group A
6- VK SS Group A

[4VCLEVO]

FORDS..
XA GTHO P4
XY GTHO P3
XA GT RPO83
XW GTHO P2
T3 TS50
XR GT

HOLDENS..
A9X Hatchback
HK 327 GTS Monaro
W427
HQ 350 GTS Monarc
VN SS Group A
VL Walkinshaw

[AMCE]

interesting that besides W427, no HSV model is represented post VS GTS-R?
I'll go thru the lists tonight and come to a conclusion

[fordv8!]

XY GT P3
XE ESP 351
XE Grang Prix Turbo
XW GT P2
XA Coupe
FGII GT


a9x
xu1
vk Blue meanie
slr 5000
cant think of anything else that floats my boat from the otherside

[Rodp]

Originally Posted by Wild High

interesting that besides W427, no HSV model is represented post VS GTS-R?
I'll go thru the lists tonight and come to a conclusion

At least in my defence, I'd want to take a spin in a car I probably can't drive - not one I can go buy/drive tomorrow.

[phillyc]

FORDS..
XA GTHO P4
XY GTHO P3
T3 TS50
XR GT
FPV FG F6
XE DJR Turbo6

HOLDENS..
VN SS Group A
VK SS Group A
A9X Hatchback
HK 327 GTS Monaro
W427
HQ 350 GTS Monaro

[smciner1]

Not in any particular order:-

XC Falcon Cobra Option 97, Last of the classic big bangers
XB Falcon GT, last of the Classic Era GTs, complete with 4 WHeel Disk Brakes
XA Falcon GT-HO, the best of what could have been
XY Falcon GT-HO, The King
XW Falcon GT-HO, The first of the HOs
XR Falcon GT, First of the GTs

HG Monaro GTS 350, last of the bathurst bred GTS
HT Monaro GTS 350, Best of the Monaros with a Bathurst
HK Monaro GTS 350, Holdens first serious attempt at the Crown
LJ Torana GTR-XU1, Nimble like the LC, but with some more much needed grunt
LH Torana SLR 5000 L34, Trying to sort the new V8 Torana with success
LX Torana SS A9X, best of the breed, if strangled with ADR 27A

[bernadette86]

oooh this is tough list

1.XY GT-HO ph3
2.XR GT
3.XE ESP 351
4.XC cobra
5.XE dick johnson grand prix
6.F6 typhoon r-spec

1.HT GTS 350 monaro
2.LC gtr xu-1
3.SLR5000
4.A9X torana
5.HQ GTS 350
6.VN SS GROUP A

VN SS GROUP A was actually last homologation special!!!!!!!!!!

[russellw]

Originally Posted by mcnews

Just providing the facts to correct some preconceptions based in myth that any Holden muscle car was remotely fast. Some were pretty, and I quite like some of them. But they are all s-l-o-w

Proof, were it actually needed, that you have something in common with a single celled amoeba.

By the standards of the time they were quick in comparison to the family sedans they were based on - particularly the 350CID Monaros and the GTR-XU1.

Anyway - my list:

FORD

XY GTHO - you can't argue with a legend
XR GT - arguably the starting point for Aussie V8 muscle
XB GT - if only for the way it looks
V6 Capri GT - performance in a small package
FPV F6

HOLDEN

HK GTS350 Monaro - poor gearbox aside, more proof that too many cubes is never a bad thing.
HG GTS350 Monaro - more of the above in a better looking package
LJ GTR-XU1 Torana
LH Torana A9X Hatchback - also for the way it looks
VN Group A SS Commodore

Cheers
Russ

[Falcman0o7]

1. XA GT-HO PHRASE 4
2. XY GT-HO PHASE 3
3. XW GT-HO PHRASE 2
4. XW GT-HO PHRASE 1
5. XC COBRA
6. XA GT-RPO COUPE

1. VB 179 Commodore
2. VB starfire 4
3. VC blue 202 auto
4. Camira E.F.I.
5. Astra 2 litre
6. HK 350 GTS 2 DOOR

[gcg2503]

Originally Posted by Falcman0o7

1. XA GT-HO PHRASE 4
2. XY GT-HO PHASE 3
3. XW GT-HO PHRASE 2
4. XW GT-HO PHRASE 1
5. XC COBRA
6. XA GT-RPO COUPE

1. VB 179 Commodore
2. VB starfire 4
3. VC blue 202 auto
4. Camira E.F.I.
5. Astra 2 litre
6. HK 350 GTS 2 DOOR

Very funny stuff indeed LOL

[Wally]

Originally Posted by Wild High

I'm conducting a poll to find out the top 6 Ford and Holden aussie muscle cars blokes would like to drive the most.

I have a bet with my mate that they would be as follows:

1. XY GT
2. XB GT coupe
3. XC Cobra
4. XE ESP 351
5. FPV F6
6. FPV GT

1. Torana A9X Hatch
2. Brock VK Group A
3. Torana XU1
4. Walkinshaw VL
5. Monaro HG
6. HSV VS GTS-R

I'm keen to find out what others reckon coz he owes me 4 slabs of beer of I win.

Trouble is I've driven quite a few of those and convinced the cars we have today are far better. However my wrapup:

1. XY GTHO earned my licence aged 17 in Kojonup behind the wheel - pig of a car to drive, but the copper loved it and I loved that he loved it
2. XB GT coupe - My XU-1 beat my mate's GT down Greenmount Hill, but I really liked his car and he was too scared to hammer it.
3. XC Cobra - Feel the chest trying to push through the spine
4. XE ESP 351 - Haven't done that one
5. FPV F6 - meh good but no suprises, not a fan of HSV and FPV
6. FPV GT - ditto

1. Torana A9X Hatch - Holy ********** that pulled hard
2. Brock VK Group A - That's one I'd like to try
3. Torana XU1 - owned one of these, babe magnet at the time, pulled hard. not drive-in friendly.
4. Walkinshaw VL - Didn't have one of those, but I did have the turbo and it was unpredictable and dangerous - great engine with IC, chip, etc 400+hp in a car prone to go airbourne.
5. Monaro HG - The note! Almost as good sounding as the 253, otherwise always the bridesmaid to the GT, but great profile.
6. HSV VS GTS-R - Got a model of that one on my desk sharing space with the HO, but only because it looks good

Shame you didn't broaden the scope to include great cars like the AP series Valiants

[blownv8au]

my picks,
1. Xy ph3.
2. Xa gt.
3. Xd 351.
4. Eb gt.
5. T3 ts50.
6. Xp hardtop.

1. Slr 5000.
2. Wilkinshaw.
3. Hq gts munro.
4. Coupe 4.
5. W427.
6. Vnss grpA

[T3ts50]

My Picks
1. XY GTHO ph3
2. XW GTHO Ph2
3. XR GT
4. XB GT
5. T3 TS50
6. FG F6

1. HT Monaro GTS 350
2. Torana XU1
3. HDT VK Group A SS
4. HDT VK Group 3
5. VN Group A SS
6. HSV W427

[AMCE]

what an amazing response - im currently calculating the responses....

[fg_nitro]

NO TE/TS50 (5.6) or GTS300 or SV99? or are you guys stuck in the 1970s

[mcnews]

Originally Posted by russellw

Proof, were it actually needed, that you have something in common with a single celled amoeba.
By the standards of the time they were quick in comparison to the family sedans they were based on - particularly the 350CID Monaros and the GTR-XU1.

No need for abuse I don't think. Your comment was childish and not worthy of a forum moderator one would think.

And the facts remain that the XU1 in most tests was a 16 second car, same as most of the Monaros. It is an unpalatable fact for some, but still a fact. We have had Monaros, and an XU1 in the household so I have nothing against them. But standard they were dogs.

[mcnews]

Anyways.... My List.


Ford
- XR GT (Bronze)
- XY GTHO (Red)
- XB GT Hardtop (Yellow)
- XE ESP 351 (White)
- BF GT-P (Blueprint)
- FG F6 (Ego)

Holden
- HK GTS 327 (Yellow)
- WB Statesman (Red)
- A9X Hardtop (White)
- W427 (White)
- HZ Monaro (White)
- FJ (Blue)

And I have to add the Valiants :-)
- E49 Charger (Hemi Orange)
- R Series (White)
- VG Pacer (Vitamin C)
- E55 Charger (Silver)
- VH Hardtop (Red)
- VE VIP (Bronze)