The secret Franken-dore and other auto misfits

[FalconXV]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holden_Royale
That there were export versions of VS Commodore fitted with an Opel Inline 6? Does anybody have performance figures for this model?

Also I find the VN 2.0 litre Berlina that NZ got an amusing joke,( export only Family II engine, for the uninitiated) I wouldn't mind knowing it's weight, kW and 0-100 if anybody can dig that up ( plus an engine bay shot would be priceless to shut up VN fanboys).

I find this kind of stuff fascinating, also having discovered that Ford made V6 EF Falcon protypes (Essex or Cologne?) EF's with IRS (I read that here I think, with semi-trailing arms similar to Sierra). I think they had a trial with AU taxis on LPG in Hong Kong too.

Kind of makes me anticipate EcoBoost more. While I expect it will be a delight for the most part, I fear the centre-ball bearing of a 5-up E-B Falcon's turbo will be one of the most highly strained parts in the Ford world.

Heard about other oddball proto/export franken-Falcons for any similar purposes?

[Sizey]

Originally Posted by FalconXV

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holden_Royale
That there were export versions of VS Commodore fitted with an Opel Inline 6? Does anybody have performance figures for this model?

Also I find the VN 2.0 litre Berlina that NZ got an amusing joke,( export only Family II engine, for the uninitiated) I wouldn't mind knowing it's weight, kW and 0-100 if anybody can dig that up ( plus an engine bay shot would be priceless to shut up VN fanboys).

I find this kind of stuff fascinating, also having discovered that Ford made V6 EF Falcon protypes (Essex or Cologne?) EF's with IRS (I read that here I think, with semi-trailing arms similar to Sierra). I think they had a trial with AU taxis on LPG in Hong Kong too.

Kind of makes me anticipate EcoBoost more. While I expect it will be a delight for the most part, I fear the centre-ball bearing of a 5-up E-B Falcon's turbo will be one of the most highly strained parts in the Ford world.

Heard about other oddball proto/export franken-Falcons for any similar purposes?

Ford also did some XF's that were a v6 that got sent to the UK from memory.

[XR Martin]

There were I6s getting around with twin cams in the mid 90s

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by FalconXV

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holden_Royale
That there were export versions of VS Commodore fitted with an Opel Inline 6? Does anybody have performance figures for this model?

Also I find the VN 2.0 litre Berlina that NZ got an amusing joke,( export only Family II engine, for the uninitiated) I wouldn't mind knowing it's weight, kW and 0-100 if anybody can dig that up ( plus an engine bay shot would be priceless to shut up VN fanboys).

I find this kind of stuff fascinating, also having discovered that Ford made V6 EF Falcon protypes (Essex or Cologne?) EF's with IRS (I read that here I think, with semi-trailing arms similar to Sierra). I think they had a trial with AU taxis on LPG in Hong Kong too.

Kind of makes me anticipate EcoBoost more. While I expect it will be a delight for the most part, I fear the centre-ball bearing of a 5-up E-B Falcon's turbo will be one of the most highly strained parts in the Ford world.

Heard about other oddball proto/export franken-Falcons for any similar purposes?

The article says the Royale VS used a V6.

Also, don't forget the Mazda Roadpacer. Boom tish.

[Riksta]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Also, don't forget the Mazda Roadpacer. Boom tish.

Most luxurious Kingy ever!!!

I also remember this: http://www.fastlane.com.au/news/holden_ecommodore.htm - there's one of them parked at the Birdwood Motor Museum.

[Bucknaked]

Originally Posted by Riksta

Most luxurious Kingy ever!!!

I also remember this: http://www.fastlane.com.au/news/holden_ecommodore.htm - there's one of them parked at the Birdwood Motor Museum.

Looks like a coupe at first glance. Shape of the roof is different to a normal Commodore. Looks a little like a monaro in the shape. Looks odd

[Bud Bud]

Mmm something just does not add up here. I can't recall the VK being built in 87, and I think early VL's were around in mid 86 because of the introduction of the cat converter and unleaded fuel etc. anyway??? Also I know someone with an 88 VN now so the VL could not have been built in 89 unless they were built along side the VN for the export market??? Lucky its only wikipedia!

Holden VK Commodore Royale (1984–1987):
Holden VL Commodore Royale (1987–1989):

Bud Bud

[burnz]

Originally Posted by Bud Bud

Mmm something just does not add up here. I can't recall the VK being built in 87, and I think early VL's were around in mid 86 because of the introduction of the cat converter and unleaded fuel etc. anyway??? Also I know someone with an 88 VN now so the VL could not have been built in 89 unless they were built along side the VN for the export market??? Lucky its only wikipedia!

Holden VK Commodore Royale (1984–1987):
Holden VL Commodore Royale (1987–1989):

Bud Bud

build dates are differant to model dates
VK 83~86
VL 85~88
VN 88~90

[MAD]

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

Looks like a coupe at first glance. Shape of the roof is different to a normal Commodore. Looks a little like a monaro in the shape. Looks odd

That's how you get government grants, under the guise of economy, to pay for new car development. When did the Monaro make it's comeback?

[MONSOON]

Originally Posted by Riksta

Most luxurious Kingy ever!!!

I also remember this: http://www.fastlane.com.au/news/holden_ecommodore.htm - there's one of them parked at the Birdwood Motor Museum.

The ECOmmodore was a concept, only 1 of them were made, Fwd 4cyl hybrid used a Monaro turret

[FalconXV]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

The article says the Royale VS used a V6.

Also, don't forget the Mazda Roadpacer. Boom tish.

My mistake, I got confused. The same body ( with Caprice fascia) was on Malaysian and other export market Opel Calais, which featured the Opel I6.

[burnz]

Originally Posted by FalconXV

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holden_Royale
That there were export versions of VS Commodore fitted with an Opel Inline 6? Does anybody have performance figures for this model?

Also I find the VN 2.0 litre Berlina that NZ got an amusing joke,( export only Family II engine, for the uninitiated) I wouldn't mind knowing it's weight, kW and 0-100 if anybody can dig that up ( plus an engine bay shot would be priceless to shut up VN fanboys).

I find this kind of stuff fascinating, also having discovered that Ford made V6 EF Falcon protypes (Essex or Cologne?) EF's with IRS (I read that here I think, with semi-trailing arms similar to Sierra). I think they had a trial with AU taxis on LPG in Hong Kong too.

Kind of makes me anticipate EcoBoost more. While I expect it will be a delight for the most part, I fear the centre-ball bearing of a 5-up E-B Falcon's turbo will be one of the most highly strained parts in the Ford world.

Heard about other oddball proto/export franken-Falcons for any similar purposes?

both VL and VN commos got 2.0ltr 6cyl (nissan RB20) new zealand export..
not to be confused with familyII 4cyl engines..

[FalconXV]

Originally Posted by burnz

both VL and VN commos got 2.0ltr 6cyl (nissan RB20) new zealand export..
not to be confused with familyII 4cyl engines..

According to wiki VL had RB20 and VN Berlina in NZ (switched places with Executive over there) featured Family 2 2.0 EFi. I would like to see an owners manual or something to back this up.

[Mr Hardware]

Bud Bud, they may well have been built one year but shipped, complianced and sold the next.

[Bud Bud]

Originally Posted by Mr Hardware

Bud Bud, they may well have been built one year but shipped, complianced and sold the next.

Gotcha! Would be interesting to know though.

Bud Bud

[smoo]

Originally Posted by FalconXV

Kind of makes me anticipate EcoBoost more. While I expect it will be a delight for the most part, I fear the centre-ball bearing of a 5-up E-B Falcon's turbo will be one of the most highly strained parts in the Ford world.

I can just imagine warranty claims of cooked turbos right now, even worse if they drop it into the terry. She wont have the I6 longevity.

The VS Royale had the same engine as the Vectra V6, 125kw, 230nm. The manual V6 Vectras used to haul ****, couldn't say the same for the Royales as I've probably seen less than 10 since they went on the market.

As for the VN 2.0, it wasn't the RB20 but something as equally gutless



I don't have any figures for it. They have thankfully been forgotten now, although some high mileage examples do pop up for sale. My old man had a VN Calais when I was a kid, I should have kept the owners manual for reference.

[FalconXV]

I just want one!

[raa4.0l]

the au's that when to Hong Kong even had automatic passenger doors controled by the driver

[RedHotGT]

The other crossover I was thinking of was the XF ute with the nissan running gear...

I'm sure i saw those floating around in the early 90s...

Anyone got any pics??
(or remember the cars?? I'm not making it up - I promise!!)

[RedHotGT]

I found these - but from reading 'wiki' - for what its worth... it says that the running gear was exactly the same?? just the badges were different??

Anyone know anything about them???

[dave351cid]

Originally Posted by loftie

I found these - but from reading 'wiki' - for what its worth... it says that the running gear was exactly the same?? just the badges were different??

Anyone know anything about them???

i used to own one of these nissan utes. .

it was just a XF falcon ute with a couple of stickers and a grill badge.
first weekend after i got it i decided to remove nissan stickers , one small one on each front guard as per pics and a large NISSAN across the tailgate. next was to fix the grill , that dodgy looking oversize nissan badge that looked like it was stolen of the back of a 4x4 . 2 x selftapper screws later and it was gone. and guess what i found ? the original ford oval badge still in the grill. just needed a wash. only other nissan part was the center plug in the steering wheel said nissan instead of ford. ohhh ....... and the plastic wheel covers.
and on the ID plate it read "Nissan ute by the Ford Motor Company." and "XFN" instead of the normal "XF ".

as for the running gear they were identical to any other ford however i think that limited slip diff were standard whereas lsd were an optional extra for falcons.

mine was the equivelent to a GLS version with Tbar auto, buckets, etc. but was about $3000 cheaper then the same thing with ford badges.

had it for about 7 years . was a great ute.

[MAD]

Nissan XF was the same deal as the Ford Maverick, Toyota Lexcen, Holden Apollo, early Holden Astra, and so many more. Just a re-badged vehicle

[Brazen]

There was also a Toyota Lexcen version of the VT Commodore developed before Toyota decided to build the Avalon in Victoria instead.

Also an EA ute and panelvan developed and canned.

FG wagon was fully designed but not given the greenlight (would love to see the designs).

As an aside I dont think a VN with 2.0l would be that bad, it only weighed around 1300 or so Kgs, about the same as a modern Corolla.

[jamesson1980]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Also an EA ute and panelvan developed and canned.

But it was so hot! vvv


PS: would love to see the REAL FG wagon design, the photoshops are exciting enough

[dylancox]

Originally Posted by jamesson1980

But it was so hot! vvv


PS: would love to see the REAL FG wagon design, the photoshops are exciting enough

Looks hot? It still looks like it got stuck halfway through a time machine, with the bonnet in 1991 but everything behind it stuck in 1979.

[jamesson1980]

Originally Posted by dylancox

Looks hot? It still looks like it got stuck halfway through a time machine, with the bonnet in 1991 but everything behind it stuck in 1979.

.. no, you may have missed the sarcasm there I'm a massive fan of EA-EB and was excited by the idea that there may have been a production ute planned back in the day.. but upon seeing it, I threw up in my mouth a little bit because it is quite toxic. Although, with the back half given the XH XR8 body kits and bumpers etc, plus ED XR6 front, good mags, about 3ft lower, maybe it mightn't have been so bad.. but i agree.. as shown above the back is certainly still in XD form..

.

[dylancox]

Originally Posted by Brazen

There was also a Toyota Lexcen version of the VT Commodore developed before Toyota decided to build the Avalon in Victoria instead.

Where'd you hear that one? Would have been one hell of a looker if they had based it on a VT instead of that recycled piece of early 90s american junk (USDM Avalon).

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by Brazen

There was also a Toyota Lexcen version of the VT Commodore developed before Toyota decided to build the Avalon in Victoria instead.

Also an EA ute and panelvan developed and canned.

FG wagon was fully designed but not given the greenlight (would love to see the designs).

As an aside I dont think a VN with 2.0l would be that bad, it only weighed around 1300 or so Kgs, about the same as a modern Corolla.

Imagine driving a newer than VS Commodore, badged up as a Toyota Lexcen. The only way I'd drive a late model commodore... I'd rather have 3 silver ovals than a gay lion in a circle. Can someone photoshop a VE with Toyota Lexcen badging just for laughs

[last fairlane]

Dont forget the Lonsdale (SA) engine plant
that got sent to Austria and the 245 Hemis ended up as Jeep
High output 4.0 Litre = 245 ci with fuel injection

also but not quite the same FE LTDs sent to England
351 auto and all the bells and whistles
where petrol was 3 times the price of here
that worked yeah

John

[RAPID_BA]

I know of a VL commodore with a VK rear end. VL 3.0L motor and VK rear end. It had a bootlid spoiler as well to cover up that it didnt have the VL commodore rear lip. Not sure if it was factory, but the guy had it for years, he swore it was factory.

I called it the minotaur.