Since we've got a car forum, I thought I'd share some pics and info on my fleet. Sadly 4 of them are off the road at the moment, most of which were put away during COVID, much like the airlines I put them to sleep during the lockdowns when I couldn't go anywhere, and I'm now in the process of slowly waking them back up and getting them back on the road.
My daily: Oliver - my 2007 Holden Astra
Was my first car, is still my daily driver, currently the only car I have on the road. Technically its my everything-car as such at the moment, though once the fun cars start to go back on the road over the next couple of years, it'll get a bit of a break. Here's a photo from my recent trip to Melbourne, out the front of the Trafalgar Holden Museum.
Nina - my 2001 Holden VX Berlina
One of the cars I always wanted to own. Finally got one in 2020, right before Holden announced they were shutting up shop and everything Holden-related went the way of Apple stuff when Steve Jobs passed away. Bought her cheap, was in a bit of a sorry state at first having seen years of neglect, among other things the interior was busted and broken, the brakes and suspension all needed an overhaul, and the engine had a misfire, but I could tell she had good bones, and was a great base to start from. Drove her for a couple of years before taking her off the road to do a mechanical overhaul and fix the interior. I ended up finding a WH Statesman at a local wrecker with a really good interior, cream leather too. Spent the better part of a weekend stripping the interior out, which is now fully installed. She's a beautiful car now. Also fitted a heavy duty 2100kg tow bar, when she's back on the road she's going to be towing more stuff than Clayton's Towing. Nearly back on the road, was hoping to drive her down to Melbourne though sadly she failed a blue slip (NSW speak for roadworthiness inspection), all going well I'll go for another one next month.
The Red Baron - my 1990 Holden VN Calais
Another one of the cars I've always wanted to own. In fact one of my dream cars from when I was 5 years old. Finally got one when I was 34, bought it right before they started to skyrocket in value. Unlike most of them which have been thrashed and trashed by bogans and P platers, this one is a really nice, honest example. Not many left that are this original. Needs a fuel pump due to sitting for a while during lockdown.
The Madaz - my 1994 Mazda 626
Yet another one of the cars I always wanted to own at some point. Was an ugly duckling when I bought it that I managed to turn into, if not a swan, well at least a respectable duck. Unfortunately the cooling system sprung a leak and the engine overheated one fateful day on the way home from work in 2019 when it was doing duty as my daily when Oliver was in having some work done. Unfortunately I found out too late as the temp gauge was inop, always thought that if it was overheating I'd know in time. Nope. Its currently in bits waiting for me to get around to finishing an engine replacement. Was my second car, and first project. Beautiful car to drive, kind of like driving around in a big V6 powered armchair.
The Mini-Madaz, my 1992 Mazda MX-6
Bought it a few weeks after the Madaz died for $500, intending to use it as an engine donor for the Madaz. Was unregistered. Drove it home on a permit, fell in love with it on the drive home and decided to chuck some rego on it and hit up the wreckers for another engine for the Madaz. Such a fun car to drive. Despite it basically being a 2 door 626, it has a completely different feel to it. It runs and drives, but just needs a bit of love. Also have a pair of Eunos 500 leather seats and a period correct Pioneer sound system I want to put in. Its the next cab off the rank after I have Nina on the road.
Fun fact for American GM enthusiasts - all V6 powered 1988 - 2004 Holden Commodores (and Berlina/Calais/Statesman/Caprice/Ute/One Tonner) came with the Buick V6 3800, though ours are in a North-South configuration due to Commodores being RWD. They're common as here, and manage to take a licking and keep on ticking despite being abused by teenagers. Also a common engine to transplant into classics, speedway cars, Toyota Hiluxes, and a bunch of ofther stuff. 2004 onwards V6 Commodores ran the Alloytec V6/HFV6.
My daily: Oliver - my 2007 Holden Astra
Was my first car, is still my daily driver, currently the only car I have on the road. Technically its my everything-car as such at the moment, though once the fun cars start to go back on the road over the next couple of years, it'll get a bit of a break. Here's a photo from my recent trip to Melbourne, out the front of the Trafalgar Holden Museum.
Nina - my 2001 Holden VX Berlina
One of the cars I always wanted to own. Finally got one in 2020, right before Holden announced they were shutting up shop and everything Holden-related went the way of Apple stuff when Steve Jobs passed away. Bought her cheap, was in a bit of a sorry state at first having seen years of neglect, among other things the interior was busted and broken, the brakes and suspension all needed an overhaul, and the engine had a misfire, but I could tell she had good bones, and was a great base to start from. Drove her for a couple of years before taking her off the road to do a mechanical overhaul and fix the interior. I ended up finding a WH Statesman at a local wrecker with a really good interior, cream leather too. Spent the better part of a weekend stripping the interior out, which is now fully installed. She's a beautiful car now. Also fitted a heavy duty 2100kg tow bar, when she's back on the road she's going to be towing more stuff than Clayton's Towing. Nearly back on the road, was hoping to drive her down to Melbourne though sadly she failed a blue slip (NSW speak for roadworthiness inspection), all going well I'll go for another one next month.
The Red Baron - my 1990 Holden VN Calais
Another one of the cars I've always wanted to own. In fact one of my dream cars from when I was 5 years old. Finally got one when I was 34, bought it right before they started to skyrocket in value. Unlike most of them which have been thrashed and trashed by bogans and P platers, this one is a really nice, honest example. Not many left that are this original. Needs a fuel pump due to sitting for a while during lockdown.
The Madaz - my 1994 Mazda 626
Yet another one of the cars I always wanted to own at some point. Was an ugly duckling when I bought it that I managed to turn into, if not a swan, well at least a respectable duck. Unfortunately the cooling system sprung a leak and the engine overheated one fateful day on the way home from work in 2019 when it was doing duty as my daily when Oliver was in having some work done. Unfortunately I found out too late as the temp gauge was inop, always thought that if it was overheating I'd know in time. Nope. Its currently in bits waiting for me to get around to finishing an engine replacement. Was my second car, and first project. Beautiful car to drive, kind of like driving around in a big V6 powered armchair.
The Mini-Madaz, my 1992 Mazda MX-6
Bought it a few weeks after the Madaz died for $500, intending to use it as an engine donor for the Madaz. Was unregistered. Drove it home on a permit, fell in love with it on the drive home and decided to chuck some rego on it and hit up the wreckers for another engine for the Madaz. Such a fun car to drive. Despite it basically being a 2 door 626, it has a completely different feel to it. It runs and drives, but just needs a bit of love. Also have a pair of Eunos 500 leather seats and a period correct Pioneer sound system I want to put in. Its the next cab off the rank after I have Nina on the road.
Fun fact for American GM enthusiasts - all V6 powered 1988 - 2004 Holden Commodores (and Berlina/Calais/Statesman/Caprice/Ute/One Tonner) came with the Buick V6 3800, though ours are in a North-South configuration due to Commodores being RWD. They're common as here, and manage to take a licking and keep on ticking despite being abused by teenagers. Also a common engine to transplant into classics, speedway cars, Toyota Hiluxes, and a bunch of ofther stuff. 2004 onwards V6 Commodores ran the Alloytec V6/HFV6.
