Hi from Australia

2792 Views 17 Replies 15 Participants Last post by joe1958, Apr 11, 2014

isszy

Discussion Starter · Jan 3, 2013

3

Hi guys,

I thought I would continue my track record and join up here.

My history - I live in Melbourne, Australia, and I am a Holden tragic.

I joined LS1GTO back in 2004 when Holden first announced the Monaro would be exported. I still visit there occasionally, but since Devil Yellow left and the GTO went out of production there was less interest for me.

I then joined gminsidenews and am semi-active there. Once apon a time, there was plenty of information I could pass on but over time, Americans have become much better versed in all things Holden, and there seems to be a US vs Australia undertone developing that I don't want to get involved in (both sides are guilty).

I also joined G8board which was fun while it lasted.

I'm looking forward to some positive discussion on the SS. I think the survival of Holden as a niche car maker relies on the success of this car. I don't give a rats arse about the name (sorry about the aussie slang), they could call it Rumplestiltskin for all I care.

The chassis and engine are a no brainer here. I think the biggest danger for the car is how the styling is interpreted. What Australians see as classy and stylish does not seem to translate well to the US market. Our tastes tend to be a cross between Japanese/Asian and European,

I drive a 2003 VY Holden Berlina wagon, a 2002 VY Holden Berlina sedan (both 3800 V6s on dual fuel LPG/gasoline) and a 1979 series 1 Mazda RX-7.

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BigRed585Lbs

· #2 · Jan 3, 2013

G8Board still lives (for some of us!)
Could you sneak over to the factory and find out if Solo Performance axlebacks will fit on the new SS? If they would, I'd go ahead and order a set now and beat the rush!

tnx, mate!

isszy

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 3, 2013

Yeah - there was not much more I could contribute at G8board.

The Holden head office is here in Melbourne, but the factory is in Adelade, about 8 hours drive away. I noticed Asylum posted somewhere else here, he works on the production line at Holden. He has more chance of answering any of those questions

I drive past the Holden head office as often as I can. My one claim to fame was getting preproduction shots of the Camaro convertible - the photos ended up all over the net:

GMI Exclusive: Camaro Convertible Caught!

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09G8GT

· #4 · Feb 11, 2013

Hey Isszy! You going to load us up with the latest and greatest like the good old days at the G8Board? Sure enjoyed all the inside you provided while I waited for my G8!

zepcom

· #5 · Feb 13, 2013

Sweet. I now do recall seeing your thread over on GMI when the marro verts were all the rage. Nice. Welcome to this forum. I still play once in a while on g8board, it's interesting how it has morphed over the years. Sure some early adoptors left, and new ones joined, now that the g8 is getting "up there in age" there seems to be an influx of people who are taking interest in that now-more-affordable platform. I still to this day am surprised at how well the values are holding up, as compared to me paying $20k less 5k trade and 5k deposit on my brand-new G8 GT back on the day Pontiac announced their demise, March 31, 2009. FTW.

Looking forward to seeing additional great info from you over here.

isszy

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 13, 2013

I'm working not far from Holden Head Office at Fisherman's Bend at the moment so I drive past each morning in the hope of seeing something. No luck so far...

American-Muscle

· #7 · Feb 14, 2013

will have to see more photos of the camaro convertible before i decide if i like it or hate it but so far im not liking it, prefer the hardtop.

thanks for sharing tho

mm17

· #8 · Apr 9, 2014

Hi guys, I'm from Melbourne, Australia and have just ordered a new Holden SSV Ute... Or pick up as you guys would call it. Delivery in about a months time. Can't wait!

Reactions: 3

GXPaycheck

· #9 · Apr 9, 2014

Welcome! G8board is ok, Grrrr8.net is better!

KenzSS

· #10 · Apr 9, 2014

Welcome to the forum mm17 and congrats on your Ute order!

MikeC1003

· #11 · Apr 9, 2014

Congrats mm17 & welcome aboard! We'll definitely be needing some pix. Wish we could get our SS's in a months time.

Mike

Reactions: 1

Boosted

· #12 · Apr 9, 2014

isszy said:
I joined LS1GTO back in 2004 when Holden first announced the Monaro would be exported. I still visit there occasionally, but since Devil Yellow left and the GTO went out of production there was less interest for me.

Welcome to the madness!

LS1GTO has definitely gone downhill since Autoforums has taken over.

LS1hawk

· #13 · Apr 9, 2014

American-Muscle said:
will have to see more photos of the camaro convertible before i decide if i like it or hate it but so far im not liking it, prefer the hardtop.

thanks for sharing tho

There should plenty of photos and actual cars for you to look at. That picture was from 5 years ago. :wink:

isszy

Discussion Starter · #14 · Apr 10, 2014

Wow - a 14 month old introduction post returns.

Sadly not much to post these days since GM decided to kill Holden. The Fishermens Bend plant is already looking sad.

Cajun SS

· #15 · Apr 10, 2014

Welcome, isszy! You know me from gminsidenews. Good to see you here!

z51vett

· #16 · Apr 10, 2014

Welcome isszy and mm17 follow along as this group gets busy modifying there rides go info here.
z51vett
Doug

1badss

· #17 · Apr 10, 2014

Welcome to both of our new AUSSI friends to the forum!

Reactions: 1

joe1958

· #18 · Apr 11, 2014

isszy said:
Hi guys,

"What Australians see as classy and stylish does not seem to translate well to the US market."

The styling is perfect, one of the strong points of this car. If I wanted flashy, then the Camaro or Dodge/Chrysler. SS also wins on driving, handling, stopping, and scaring the .... out of the family and anyone else brave enough to get in.:lol2:

And if you had garages down under, we probably would have gotten the opener. :sadViolin:

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