Australian Muscle Car Blog

Esperienza!

2010-04-06T13:49:00.003+10:00

Our mates, at Shannons are at it again, offering the chance to attend two of Italy’s premier sporting events.

This is the ultimate motoring enthusiast’s holiday, where you will get the complete Italian experience. Over 14 days, you and a mate (or partner if your mate isn’t that lucky) will attend the San Marino MotoGP on the 5th of September and the Monza Formula 1 GP on the 12th of September.

The trip is valued at over $18,000 and the lucky winner and a partner will take in the sights of Italy’s most iconic cities including Rome, Rimini, Venice and Milan.

Mark Behr, Executive Manager Shannon’s Marketing told us “This amazing Italian holiday combines the best of international motorsport with the delights of Italy. Exploring some of Italy’s most famous cities and attending two leading motor racing events would be an unforgettable experience for any motoring enthusiast and their partner.”

As a wise man once said, “but wait, there’s more”! You will pilot an Alfa Romeo GT Coupe and stay in 5 star accommodation with all day grandstand passes at both GP’s and $1500 spending money!

To get yourself in the draw, all you need to do is call Shannons on 13 46 46 or jump online and get a car, bike or home quote before the 30th of June 2010. Participants can also increase their chances of winning by referring a motoring enthusiast friend.

For more details just click through to shannons.com.au/italiangp

Mothers, The biggest thing on Fathers Day?

2010-03-12T12:54:00.008+11:00

Yep that's right, and you heard it here first! The team at AMC are pleased to announce that Mothers Car Care, have signed on once again to be the Official Car Care Sponsor of the 2010 Australian Muscle Car Masters.

The Masters are set to explode again this Fathers' Day (Sunday 5th September) and the guys at Mother's are just as excited as we are. Andrew Pigeon, their Sales and Marketing Manager, told us, "We are pleased and excited to return as a co-sponsor for 2010 and look forward to another great Muscle Car Masters and another great Fathers Day". Looking back Andrew said, "2009 was our first involvement as a co-sponsor of the Muscle Car Masters. What an event. Great cars, seriously - really great cars from an era that cannot be replaced. An era where (in my opinion) motorsport reached its pinnacle with great competition, and the arrival of big names who really knew how to drive a raw machine to its best. "

Andrew was also impressed regarding the stars if the show, going on to say "To meet many of these great drivers at this event happily signing autographs for a new generation of fans as well as their old Dads (yes that’s me) is just a privilege.'

Along with all the fast paced racing you will also be able to stop in and have a chat to Andrew and the guys at Mothers at their stand in 'Merchandise Mall', but if you can't wait that long, click through to the Mothers Website.

For more info on the Masters, be sure to grab a copy of issue #48 of Australian Muscle Car Magazine, and stay tuned to this space, as we are set to launch the all new website, shortly!

Own an Icon

2010-02-26T10:38:00.003+11:00

Pre production model shown above

2010 marks the 40th anniversary of the 1970 XW #64E Ford Falcon's historic Bathurst Win, with next year being the 40th anniversary of the XY #65E's Bathurst Triumph. To celebrate this Icon Model's are producing a limited edition 1/8th scale replica of both Hardie-Ferodo 500 legends. The production of these will be limited to only 500 models each, and with pre-order pricing on the XW currently only $1295, you can own this piece of automotive history for an absolute steal.

If the pricing and stunning detail wasn't enough to persuade you, Icon Models are going to be giving away 1971 XY. The car is a genuine South African built XY Fairmont GT which is currently being restored as a replica of the 1971 Bathurst winning #65E! When all is said and done the car is estimated to be worth $100,000!

Simply by purchasing one of these stunning models, you will receive an entry form in the box, and all you need do is explain in 25 words or less, the destination of your first drive and why. With production of both models limited to only 500 each, this means that you will have a minimum chance of 1/1000, and the more model's you buy, the more chances you get!

For more information and for all those T's and C's, make sure you click through to - http://www.iconmodels.com.au/

V8 Super Cars Australia 2010 Season Lauch Party

2010-02-15T17:50:00.003+11:00

Just a quick snap shot of the Muscle Car Crew at the 2010 V8 Supercars Australia Season Launch Party! (Photo courtesy of CNPhotography)

Lowndes returns home to Holden!

2010-02-02T13:46:00.004+11:00

Just returned from the 2010 Team Vodafone Launch in Sydney's iconic Darling Harbour, and thought I would share a sneek peak of this year's Number 1 car!

Gentlemen, start your engines!

2010-01-29T13:16:00.001+11:00

In this crazy high tech world, dominated by Ipod's and Nintendo Wii's, I found some inner peace recently when I opened a Christmas present that didn't require a degree from MIT to operate!

So when the 25th of January, a.k.a Australia's Greatest Sick day, rolled around I finally had five minutes to sit down with the old man, and piece together the little engine that could which you can see above.

In short it's a single over head cam, four banger and comes as a kit with around 95 parts and over 65 screws to massage together. It took a little over two hours and a couple of beers for two amateurs to put together and I would recommend it to any father and son team.

Once complete the engine is powered by a small electric motor that turns the crank, moving the conrods and cylinders through the block, whilst spinning the fan and operating the cam and valves. You can even adjust the timing so that your light up spark plugs detonate at exactly the right time!

For and RRP of around $69, Haynes have really nailed this one! For more info click through to http://www.bookworks.com.au/

Falcon Hell!

2010-01-18T11:08:00.004+11:00

If the rumors are true, then Australia may say good bye to the locally produced, iconic Ford Falcon!2010 marks the 50th anniversary since we first saw the Falcon on our roads, though this piece of Aussie History doesn't seem to play much on the minds of the Ford Big Wigs, in the US.Ford Boss, Alan Mulally spoke recently at the Detroit Motor show, hinting that Ford would be heading in a new direction under the new 'One Ford Program'.

Specifically this would see only one large car platform being produced world wide, with the good money on the American Ford Taurus, to succeed the Falcon Locally.Mr Mulally told Fairfax Newspapers; "The best thing for Ford is to bring our scale and volume' and '(Carmakers) who make one vehicle, a different vehicle for one country, I think those days are gone, because you can't complete with global companies, and Ford's going to be a powerhouse globally.'As you can imagine there is a fair amount of back and forth currently between Ford Australia and the US, and a decision as to the final make up of the new large car platform won't take much shape for the next twelve months, including whether it would front or rear wheel drive.

Ford Australia's own Marin Burela told Fairfax that 'The all-new Falcon doesn't have to come into play until the end of 2014, early 2015, and we don't have to make a decision until 2011 on what that vehicle will be, in terms of styling and technologies.'It seems the only glimmer of hope may reside in a further comment Mr Mulally made, in which he hinted Ford Australia may play a part in developing the rear-wheel-drive Mustang Platform.Stay tuned to AMC for more information comes to hand.

Route 66

2009-12-01T13:04:00.004+11:00

Long time supporter of AMC, Shannons, is offering motoring enthusiasts the ultimate road trip experience. One lucky person will win a 21-one day fully escorted road trip along the world's most famous highway - Route 66!
Departing on the 3rd of April 2010, you will get to take in all the stunning scenery along the route, from your own Mustang convertible, complete with official Route 66 Guide. The trip will finish up on the 23rd of April 2010.
The trip also includes two economy airfares from Australia to Chicago, then returning from sin city itself, Las Vegas, twin share accommodation and a whopping AU$2,000 spending money!
To be in the running for this amazing prize, all you need to do is jump on the Shannons website (http://www.shannons.com.au/) and get a car, bike or home insurance quote before the 21st of February 2010.

Superweek Commences

2009-11-30T10:20:00.002+11:00

image courtesy of V8 Supercars Australia

Being Sydney based, it is nigh on impossible to escape the fanfare that is the inaugural Telstra Sydney 500, with even local radio station Triple M belting out the Sydney 500 top songs this week.

This however pales in comparison with yesterday’s festivities, NSW Premier, Nathan Rees along with his Treasurer and Minister for State Development, Eric Roozendaal, officially began the five day countdown to Sydney's biggest ever motorsport party at the northern boardwalk of the Sydney Opera House.

The NSW state government is more than behind the event with Premier Rees stating, “Sydney is about to experience one of the biggest weeks in sport that the city has ever seen, and will reinforce NSW’s reputation as Australia’s events capital. The Sydney Telstra 500 will be Sydney’s showcase motoring and entertainment event utilising the world class facilities of Sydney Olympic Park to its full potential for the first time since the 2000 Olympics".

Both the State government and V8 Supercars Australia, are gearing up with event set to attract over 15,000 interstate and international visitors and with the event being broad cast in over 130 countries it is set to put both Sydney and the V8 Supercars in the spot light.

With some of the biggest names in Australian music including a re-united Cold Chisel, the Presets, the Potbelleez, the Living End, Grinspoon and Sneaky Sound System heading the entertainment, as well as the on track action that will decide the first ever Sydney Telstra 500 trophy and the 2009 Championship, this weekend is set to reach boiling point!

2009 Australian Muscle Car Masters on Channel 7 this weekend

2009-09-24T10:06:00.002+10:00

For those fans that could not make it out to the Australian Muscle Car

Masters at Eastern Creek earlier this month (or those who would

like to relive it) you can catch up on all the action this Saturday

afternoon on Channel 7 at 1.30 pm. Be prepared for a 75 minute

feast of retro slideways action and it is all available in High Defenition

for the first time.

Champion Brock Experience Event

2009-09-14T17:31:00.002+10:00

Champions Brock Experience in Yeppoon Qld, are holding a very special evening on Saturday 26th September, 2009.

Featuring very special guests Harry Firth, Larry & Jack Perkins, David Parsons, Bev Brock and Graeme ‘Mort’ Brown, this event promises to be rich in history, recollection and celebration of this amazing era.We will be looking back over some of the most exciting years in Australian motor racing history and the key role of HDT, some of its iconic drivers and associated people that have contributed to its growth today.

We hope that you will be able to join us for this very special event and share your memories of both HDT andPeter Brock with our guests. Guests will enjoy the amazing Light and Sound Show, full guided tour and as a fitting finale to the evening, you will hear the roar of the engines of some these historic race cars, as they rev to life!

Another exciting feature of the evening will be the unveiling of the Harry Firth Trophy Collection. Recently purchased by Champions Brock Experience, this collection is truly one of the foremost motorsport trophy collections in the country and a fantastic addition to the heritage of motor racing already displayed at Champions Brock Experience.Motoring enthusiasts and Brock fans alike are invited join us for what promises to be a very special evening.Limited tickets still available, pricing includes full catering, souvenir merchandise and the opportunity to visit this unique world-class collection, that is Champions Brock Experience.

Visit the website at http://www.championsbrockexperience/ for full details of the event.

Welcome!

2009-07-27T11:36:00.002+10:00

Welcome to the official Australian Muscle Car magazine website. We’re very pleased to have finally made it on line, and we hope that as the website grows over time it will add a whole new dimension to the magazine. As for the mag itself, don’t worry, it’s not about to disappear into cyberspace. AMC continues exactly as before, and will into the future - keep an eye out for the next issue as it’s due to hit the stands later in August. We like to think of the new AMC website as kind of an optional extra that you get for free. And we’d like you to share in the driving, by taking up the opportunity to voice your opinions and swap stories in our on-line forum: we want this to be a place where Aussie muscle car fans across the country - and even around the world - can get together on line.