STAFF PICKS

THEY CHOSE WHAT?

2002 HOLDEN MONARO CV8

As the proud owner of a rather tidy 2002 Holden Monaro CV8, it is an obvious choice for me. Why this model? Well I wanted either the first or the last of the series and I prefer the look of the first anyway, with its slim line 5-spoke alloy wheels, nostril-free bonnet and the VT dash in piano black. Mine doesn’t have the accessory rear wing that I think detracts from its looks. It isn’t especially fast or loud, the bulletproof LS-1 only pumps out 225 killer watts. But I love every moment behind the wheel. Like a Monet, they don’t make ‘em anymore and you can still pick one up for as little as $25k… but not for much longer.

1969 FORD MUSTANG BOSS 302

To me the ’69 Mustang is the high watermark and it’s no coincidence that Ford used a lot of its styling cues when creating the current pony car. The 69 Mustang also reminds me of my all-time favourite race car, Allan Moffat’s TransAm. Although the Boss 302 has enough grunt to get your attention, the suspension and brakes are, shall we say, average. But the flowing lines of the fastback, its wide hunkered down stance and that exhaust burble get me whenever I see one. I spotted an absolute turn-key, driveaway gem for $125,000 recently.

2017 HOLDEN SS-V REDLINE UTE

With the price of Aussie muscle cars getting beyond the reach of mere mortals, it got me thinking. I still want two-doors and comfort and versatility and plenty of performance and most importantly, I don’t want to mortgage my house. So a sports ute from the red or blue church ticks all the boxes. For me it’s the VF Series II SS-V Redline that is the best of the best. More than fast enough, the SS-V Redlne stops, handles and rides more than respectably, is very comfy inside with all the mod cons and has a good level of safety kit. Right now you can still grab one for around 60-grand but they will increase in value over time.

FORD XB GT HARDTOP

‘The Great Australian Road Car’ is my top pick of any muscle car. Also a bit of a fantasy as any two-door hardtop example of the XA-XC generation has asking prices through the roof.

But in my eyes, they’re the most gorgeous iteration of the Falcon’s most gorgeous generation.

To me, ‘the last GT’ defines 70s muscle, with loud colours and even louder 351s. Just 949 XB GT coupes had been produced by the time the plug was pulled in June 1976, and a lot less are probably still out there. Guido says there’s no budget for this one, so take this as one of my (many) ‘when-I-winTattslotto’ picks.

CHEVROLET CORVETTE C3 CONVERTIBLE

Confession: I’m a bit of a NASA nerd even though the Space Race took place decades before my time. Mostly spurred on by my other fascination of watchmaking – and the Omega Speedmaster ‘moonwatch’ in particular (which was actually originally a racing watch, not destined for space exploration, but I digress…).

Equally as synonymous with NASA’s Apollo program as the Omega chronograph, is the Chevrolet C3 Corvette, which were given to astronauts by GM.

They’re stupidly cheap compared to anything Australian, so give me an early-year model with chrome bumpers, a big block 427 and in convertible guise for those sunny days. And a Speedmaster.

CHEVROLET IMPALA SS HARDTOP

1965-1966 Impala Hardtops represent amazing value, and are wildly underappreciated here in Australia. They’re an imposing looking thing, with a long stretched out wheelbase, and horrific overhangs at each end.

Big blocks weren’t as prevalent for those years, so if you wanted Chevrolet’s fabled 427 V8, you were likely talking to the salesman about an Impala. They’re rare finds here in Australia, but we’ve seen some neat examples with very attractive asking prices. Hundred-spokes and hydraulics are optional…