Rev up a V8 and live it up

AS we face a future involving hi-tech, but uninspiring electric cars, it’s satisfying to know that a good old fashion muscle car is resonating with Australian buyers and enthusiasts.

The Ford Mustang, particularly the V8, is going gangbusters.

The hero car has been credited with turning around Ford’s fortunes in Australia, which were on the wane, mainly since the end of production of the Falcon.

Buyers have not cared that it is a gas guzzler with only two doors and a low safety rating.

This year Ford is on track to sell almost 10,000 Mustangs, an incredible 10 times more than what was originally forecast.

Why? On average new car buyers are 51 and people of that era grew up watching Mustangs on TV shows and in movies, such as Steve McQueen’s 1968 hit, Bullitt.

Mustang buyers are also at an age when they have a bit of money, whether it’s from savings or an inheritance or have paid off their mortgage, and can splash out.

The other factor has been the end of local production of the Ford Falcon and its V8 derivatives.

The Mustang is Ford’s biggest seller after the Ranger ute.

There will be no V8 version of the next and European Holden Commodore either. A high percentage of final Aussie Commodore sales are V8s.

Holden and HSV are not revealing their high performance future but there is talk of right-hand drive versions of Mustang’s arch rival, the Chevrolet Camaro, in V8 forms. But it is likely to be more expensive.

So damn being sensible and politically correct. Go out, buy and drive something that gives you an adrenalin rush.