What 12 models from the AU series best represent the range?

[Dauphin]

A bit of a strange question, but I was wondering what other AU lovers would generally consider to be a good cross-representation of the AU model range when limited to 12 cars only?

Here's my list:

1. Forte
2. Futura
3. Classic
4. Falcon S
5. Fairmont Ghia
6. XR6
7. XR8
8. XR8 Rebel
9. Fairlane
10. LTD
11. T3 TS50
12. P250 Utility

Thanks in advance!

[mik]

mmm......... dunno, in all honesty some of those models i would never have known had i not been an AUvian and i suspect many average joes would`nt be clued up on them either,
shows how much i know, i did`nt even know classic was a model, although i have seen the badge , i thought it was a special run like an anniversary model, on that list i would give classic the boot and put TE50 in the list before T3 TS50.

[robbyj]

but the classic is a classic ;P

[Bushbasher]

My list would go:-

S1 Forte
S2 Egas Futura sedan
S3 Futura wagon
S3 Fairmont Ghia 5L
S2 XR6
Rebel
S2 Fairlane 4L
S2 LTD
S2 TL50
T3 TS50
S2 XL ute
S3 P250

That to me would cover most variations across the range and all 3 series and show the base models and the top variant of each line.


Bushbasher

[fordman302]

would have to put my vote towards late series 2 and series three models, they were a great car and after the lack of acceptance after the series 1 they did a great job of showing that ford could make a great car

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Dauphin

A bit of a strange question, but I was wondering what other AU lovers would generally consider to be a good cross-representation of the AU model range when limited to 12 cars only?

Why 12 and how many variations were there ?

[bluestripes]

Yes - strange question. Why not top three ?
P250 Utility
T3 TS50
XR8 Rebel

[gcg2503]

My guess is 12 for a potential poster run

[tim_pato]

Most people (every 1 i talk to) when talking about au's i ask "which model?" they look at you like you're an idiot and say just said an au!

[Dauphin]

Thanks, everyone! Yes, it's for an AU series poster planned for the future and to be organised outside of this forum, so 12 cars to fit the design format.

I forgot to mention that the list is to also represent body shapes as well, hence why I put a P250 and not an XL.

Good list, Bushbasher. The different series is essential to any discussion of the AU series.

[robbyj]

I would say

Series 1 XR6/8
Series 1 classic
Series 2 egas
Series 2 LTD
Series 3 wagon
Series 3 XR6/8 UTE
Series 3 fairmont ghia
T3 TE50
Rebel
P250

[Mr Hardware]

Bushbasher has pretty much nailed it.
I don't think I could better his list, but I could probably equal it.
Whatever you do, you need to include the S1 Forte, whether you like it or not.
You also need to include the S3 Futura, it seriously is the absolutely most polished, most comprehensive and most solid base models of all time.

[OffRoadFalcon]

I reckon ya need a S2 Futura wagon, because IMO it was the best of the AU wagons, ... dunno I just like them, and the S3 side skirting on the wagons was so uneven with the rear bumper that it looks cheap and plasticy, and just silly.

S2 Futura wagon with the factory option bullbar AND MUDFLAPS

My list would look like Bushbasher's but swap out the S3 Futura wagon with an S2 with bullbar and mudflaps............ okay so I might be biased... but it's the only AU I wanna own!

[Mr Hardware]

Ok so i've probably overthought this but i'm gonna have a go anyway.

So i take it you're gonna have them on profile like you did with the XE poster.

So there's 5 distinct body styles. Sedan, Wagon, LWB, Styleside ute and cab chassis.

Lets break those options down and explore them.

So essentially within the range you have 4 different focuses. Base model, luxury, XR and T. so all those four need to be represented, spread over the 5 body styles. Now this is going to change from person to person, but i'm going to try to be as unbiased as possible.

Ok so here goes:
1. S1 Forte. Preferably pre-update, ie 1998. As pure to the cause as possible.
2. S1 XL ute, cab chassis. The workhorse. Window winders and no aircon.
3. Fairlane Ghia Millennium Edition or Sportsman Edition.
4. S2 Fairmont wagon. Has to be there - orange front blinkers!
5. AU3 XR8 220. Perhaps the rebel.
6. P250.
7. T2 TE50 or TS50
8. S3 Futura Egas. Only problem with this is is that it has the same stock wheels as the S2 Fairmont.
9. A 75th Anniversary Fairmont Ghia
10. AU1.5 XR6 VCT
11. LTD
12. S-pack

Why no Classic? I've owned one, and they're just a Futura with a ute grille. Why no TL50? Because with only what, 44 made, there are more popular examples of sporty LWB's like i've listed above.

[robbyj]

i think the classic has more then just the ute grill.
Charcoal interior, ABS brakes, cruise, alloys, 'limited edition'

but that's just my biased opinion ;)

As long as a nice example of a series 1 XR 6 is included, im fine with the list

[Mr Hardware]

robbyj, the futura had abs, cruise and alloys too.

[SirHenry]

Originally Posted by robbyj

i think the classic has more then just the ute grill.
Charcoal interior, ABS brakes, cruise, alloys, 'limited edition'

but that's just my biased opinion ;)

As long as a nice example of a series 1 XR 6 is included, im fine with the list

noooooooo yes the Classic was more than just a sedan with ute grill it was a hybrid between a Forte and XR.

Had unique 11 spoke 15" x 6.5" alloy wheels, unique bobtail spoiler, steering wheel vol and cruise control buttons, Power windows, plus as Robby said. Also similar to Futura.

Yes it's the orphan of orphans not quite Forte not quite XR

And it was cooler because it had the "Classic" decal on the boot :P

I agree with Mr Hardware gotta be a TL50 there somewhere too

[GK]

75th Anniversary models?

GK

[EATHSV]

As long as it starts with the AU1 Forte and ends with the T3 TS50 (in Blueprint) I'll buy one.

[Cheese3]

AUIII xr6 st vct manual
They only made 125 of these cars but its the best car to represent the aussie made AU. A very good mate owns one i work with, he was at the barber yesterday and the owner asked him is that a new company car? he said nah i just bought it about a month ago, that car is 10years old. The shop owner couldn't believe how good/styling is and swore that was a new falcon...

light, manual, xr styling, aussie made/built engine @ 174kw





yes i know i own 2 windsors...

[HLC]

S1 Forte
S1 Forte
S1 Forte
S1 Forte
S1 Forte
S1 Forte
S1 Forte
S1 Forte
S1 Forte
S1 Forte
S1 Forte
S1 Forte

Well that's the way that anyone who isn't an AU Tragic sees it ha ha

[OffRoadFalcon]

How about a poster with every single AU there ever was?

[Mr Hardware]

I can't believe no-one has mentioned an SR!!! I think i'll change my 12th answer to Silver SR wagon.

[Dauphin]

Thanks everyone for your valued opinions. It is much appreciated. Some good stuff to think about. Of all cars, I know the AU series the most because of my time with it and so it's the most difficult to extract 12 models from as the best all-round representation.

I've done a lot of different posters now since that first XE one but the AU I feel most close to, so I'm being quite fussy. I'll be starting work on it in about a month's time. I've already done a T-Series one so it's not too difficult to do the regular AUs.

I can't discuss any orders or payments through the forum, sorry. So keep your eyes on eBay in the future!

[tim_pato]

So including the 3series how many where there?

[SVR73]

My favourite has to be the one I own

AU 1 XR6 (VCT)

And of course the XR8 version
The bodykit, the bi plane spoiler, lowered with killer mags and in galaxy blue or silhouette black - OH YEAH

However the XR8 rebel is my second favourite

[Dauphin]

Originally Posted by tim_pato

So including the 3series how many where there?

Out of curiosity, I have compiled this list, ignoring obvious series changes:

Falcon Forte
Falcon Futura
Falcon Classic (AU2)
Falcon SR (AU2)
Falcon Forte X-Pack (AU2)

Fairmont
Fairmont Ghia
Fairmont Ghia 75th Anniversary (AU2)

Falcon XL Ute
Falcon XLS
Pursuit 250 Ute (AU2)
Marlin Ute (AU3)

Fairlane Ghia
Fairlane Millennium Edition
Fairlane Sportsman (AU2)
Fairlane 75th Anniversary (AU2)
LTD

Falcon S
Falcon XR6
Falcon XR8
Falcon XR6 HP
Falcon XR6 VCT
Falcon XR8 Rebel (AU3)

TE50
TS50
TL50

Police Pack
Taxi Pack

If anyone can identify any more or sees an error, please do update the list!

[JG34JA]

AU1 XR6/8 with full body kit in blue - awesome!
AU1 Fairmont Ghia in red
AU2 75th Anniversary Fairmont Ghia in the metallic brown
AU1 Fairmont V8 wagon, Tickford suspension and 17" wheels in black
AU3 Falcon 'SR' wagon in white
TL50 T1/2/3
TE50 T3
AU 1 tonner - broke a 15 year drought
AU2 LTD
AU1 Falcon 'S' in a dark metallic
AU3 XR6 "Sprint" in hero blue
AU1/2 Fairlane in white, common but I love them

[FTe342]

Pursuit 250 is AUIII

There is a AU2 Pursuit but it didn't get the stroker

[robbyj]

Also classic is still considered a series 1 yea? albeit series 1.5