Cars of the Month - July
1987 Chevrolet El Camino
Introduced for the 1959 model year, Chevrolet’s El Camino ute was in its fifth generation by the 1980s, with 1987 its last year in production.
For 1987, El Camino front-end styling mirrored that of the Malibu sedan from the same period, while the rear remained unique to the model. Engine choices for the final year were cut to a 272ci V6 or 305ci V8, with manual or automatic transmissions.
In its final year, El Camino production totalled just 13,741 (down from 58,008 in 1979), with an additional 861 produced in SS trim.
This 1987 El Camino is available from Collectable Classic Cars, SA.
See more online with this ad code: JACFD5295844
1972 Holden LJ Torana SL
Introduced in 1969 to replace the HB Series, the LC Torana continued to offer a choice of two- and four-door bodies, but was the first available with a six-cylinder engine, leading to a longer wheelbase and different front-end styling compared to the four-cylinder version.
Available grades ranged from base to S and SL, defined by better trim and/or more equipment with each move up. When new, LC Torana pricing started at $1,840 for the base 2-door four-cylinder, rising to $2,528 for a four-door SL with the 161ci six and 4-speed manual. The Torana GTR cost $2,778.
This 1972 Holden Torana SL is available from Classic Custom Imports, VIC.
See more online with this ad code: JCMD5298921
1967 Austin-Healey 3000 MkIII BJ8
Launched in 1964, the MkIII BJ8 would be the last of the ‘Big Healeys’, remaining in production until late-1967, although a single model was built in 1968.
Defined by a more powerful 2.9-litre six-cylinder engine (150hp, up from 136hp), the MkIII also came with power-assisted brakes as standard, a revised instrument layout and better interior trim (including a genuine timber dash), amongst other changes.
Like the MkII, the 3000 MkIII would only be offered as a 2+2, rather than a two-seater.
A total of 17,712 MkIIIs were built, with the vast majority going to the USA.
This 1967 Austin-Healey 3000 MkIII is available from The Healey Factory, VIC.
See more online with this ad code: JACFD5287917
1938 Packard Eight
Despite getting through the Great Depression in better shape than most other independent luxury carmakers, Packard still needed an “affordable” model to stay afloat and the ‘120’ (also written as ‘One-Twenty’) was the result.
Introduced in 1935, the 120 was cheaper than Packard’s ‘Senior’ models, while also being more economical to build. A straight-eight engine (initially 257ci, then increased to 282ci) and three-speed manual were standard.
Combined with the Packard Eight range in 1938, the 120 returned as a standalone model from 1939 until 1942, when it was again folded into the Eight range.
This 1938 Packard is available from Undercover Cars, QLD.
See more online with this ad code: JACFD5257282
1977 Mazda 808
Mazda’s 808 from the 1970s was essentially the same as the RX3, with the main difference being a conventional piston engine in the 808 and a rotary for the RX3. Front-end styling, tail lights, interior trim and other details differed, too.
Australia first received the 808 in 1972, available in coupe, sedan or wagon form, powered by a 1.3-litre four, with a choice of 4-speed manual or 3-speed auto transmissions. The coupe could also be had with ‘Super Deluxe’ trim.
These options continued into 1977, with a 1.6-litre four introduced in 1978.
This 1977 Mazda 808 is available from Dream Driven Motoring Experience, NSW.
See more online with this ad code: JCW5292585
2015 Ford F-450 King Ranch
Part of Ford’s Super Duty range of heavy-duty pickup trucks introduced for 1999, the F-450 started as a cab-chassis, adding a dual-cab pickup body in 2008.
Engine options included petrol V8 and V10s, plus a diesel V8 producing 328kW and 1,166Nm. By 2015, a 6-speed auto was the only transmission offered, with four-wheel drive standard. Payload peaked at 2,470kg in 2015, with towing capacity of 14,200kg.
A ‘King Ranch’ was the premium F-450 trim level for 2015, with leather, heated/cooled seats, memory function for seat, pedals and mirrors, remote starting and a rear-view camera amongst its standard features.
This 2015 F-450 King Ranch is available from Pennant Hills Auto Traders, NSW.
See more online with this ad code: JACFD5302823
