How long does it take for a hated car to become desirable?

2011G6E · 11-09-2012, 06:07 PM

OK, this is something that's been nagging at me for literally decades...

When I started driving in 1982, people laughed at P76 Leylands...I remember seeing a V8 one for sale (a manual yet!) in Bundaberg at the time, in pretty nice condition, for $300 and no one wanted it. It ended up going to the wholesalers in Brisbane.
Now I'd give my eye teeth for a nice one. Plenty of people would.

Move forward to the AU Falcon...I hated them when they came out...most people did. Even died in the wool Ford people at the time cringed and said "What the hell were they thinking?".

On the weekend in Rocky while we stayed down there for a couple of days, I saw an AU Fairmont in the Stocklands shopping center parking lot...dark green, lowered, simply fitted with those steel "pursuit" rims with the row of holes around the edge (about 16" wheels), and dark tint with a largish exhaust. It looked factory fresh and very clean and tidy.

...and I loved it. The first thing that popped into my mind was "Wow...that's a damn nice car, and AU's are dirt cheap...hmmm...".

Anyone else got stories of cars that they once laughed at but which they would buy in a heartbeat if a cheap one turned up now, or which they now admire?

jpd80 · 11-09-2012, 06:09 PM

Acid test....would you buy a 1996 Taurus?

Benjamin Smith · 11-09-2012, 06:16 PM

Taurus Give it a century or 2 and then maybe, but the AU I would consider it a very nice car, but I never use to like it

jpd80 · 11-09-2012, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benjamin Smith

Taurus Give it a century or 2 and then maybe, but the AU I would consider it a very nice car, but I never use to like it

AU 3 changed my mind, before that I wasn't sold on AU with waterfall or egg crate grilles...
AU3 Ghia with 5.0 and leather trim would be a lovely car to own...

MrEL · 11-09-2012, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

AU3 Ghia with 5.0 and leather trim would be a lovely car to own...

Yes they are. I love my missus's one more and more each time I drive it.

Buntz · 11-09-2012, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

AU 3 changed my mind, before that I wasn't sold on AU with waterfall or egg crate grilles...
AU3 Ghia with 5.0 and leather trim would be a lovely car to own...

The AU Fairmont Ghia's look lovely.

AU XR's still look hot.

And the AU Fairlanes still look the sex. I'm still miffed I couldn't find a nice one. As anyone who has a nice one holds onto it.

BA I like, it's kind of like a tribute to the EA-ED series in the front. And I loved them. Now however, I find myself turned off by BA XR's. Not that appealing to me. Though depends what colour.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benjamin Smith

Taurus Give it a century or 2 and then maybe, but the AU I would consider it a very nice car, but I never use to like it

That's because the Cockroach is the only thing that would survive a nuclear holocaust?

RedHotGT · 13-09-2012, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd80

AU 3 changed my mind, before that I wasn't sold on AU with waterfall or egg crate grilles...
AU3 Ghia with 5.0 and leather trim would be a lovely car to own...

I've got an AU II F/Ghia with V8 and Leather. It's great!

Jim Goose · 11-09-2012, 06:25 PM

I dunno if its "desirability" or the fact that an ugly or a car with a bad rep is cheap suddenly turns things around.

The AUI was considered ugly, yet now its probably more available simply because its cheap transport.

The EA... a car with a "bland" rep can still be seen all over the place simply because its cheaper? They honestly weren that bad other then the CFI model which had no power.

The other thing is how rare is it??

People (smart people lol) work out.. hey this car was a lemon 20yrs ago, but its ubber rare.... Ill buy it because its different.

Auslandau · 11-09-2012, 08:11 PM

Funny thing is, as soon as I read the title I thought of the P76. A car I would own but hard to find and have a following now so prices go up and quantity goes down.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

I dunno if its "desirability" or the fact that an ugly or a car with a bad rep is cheap suddenly turns things around.

The AUI was considered ugly, yet now its probably more available simply because its cheap transport.

The EA... a car with a "bland" rep can still be seen all over the place simply because its cheaper? They honestly weren that bad other then the CFI model which had no power.

The other thing is how rare is it??

People (smart people lol) work out.. hey this car was a lemon 20yrs ago, but its ubber rare.... Ill buy it because its different.

I think its more that certain 'different' designs were a little before their time (except the Tauras) and have proved themselves reliable over time and suddenly become back into favour. Good value for money certainly helps BUT Series 3 AU XR8 is asking similar money to BA XR8's .... and in many cases, more!

Have always liked the AU .... have had 6 of them since 98 so was one that liked them from the start. The first 2 I had were the Fairmont Ghia and XR as didn't like the Forte series 1, which was the one that destroyed the series from the get go

xisled · 11-09-2012, 06:30 PM

The only problem with cars that are ugly and become rare is that there is a select market for these cars. Some of these people pay big prices for a car.

If most people thought a car was ugly 10 years ago. not much would have changed 10 years later.

**DJM83** · 11-09-2012, 06:32 PM

Knew it wouldnt take long for the AU to come into the convo...

Granted i never liked it when it was released, but i was young and naive. But after a cpl years i fell in love. And to this day i still love them.

RASER · 13-09-2012, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM83

Knew it wouldnt take long for the AU to come into the convo...

Granted i never liked it when it was released, but i was young and naive. But after a cpl years i fell in love. And to this day i still love them.

Who ever designed the front of the AU should have been shot!

That was the start of the downward spiral for the Falcon in AUS

**DJM83** · 13-09-2012, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RASER

Who ever designed the front of the AU should have been shot!

That was the start of the downward spiral for the Falcon in AUS

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, i like it i could give a flying you know what if you or anyone else doesnt like it.

Anyway this thread isnt about the AU.

Bearman · 11-09-2012, 06:38 PM

I'd buy an AU ute but not a sedan.

And I'd NEVER buy a Taurus!!!! Wouldn't be seen dead in one. The ugliest thing to ever wear a Ford badge!!

gtxb67 · 11-09-2012, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearman

The ugliest thing to ever wear a Ford badge!!

that honour goes to the andrew harris bathurst race car from 83

Falcon SXR8 · 11-09-2012, 06:43 PM

Is the taurus as hated in america as it is in australia??? Beacuse there seems to be heaps of them over there.

cedric · 11-09-2012, 07:59 PM

xa-xb coupes. some like me owned and loved them, but the vast majorty,even ford fans, hated the fat bummed, rust buckets. they were cheap as chips, a couple of hundred bucks bought you a good runner with a bit of rust. another was the vl walkie, not liked by many at all

H.G · 12-09-2012, 04:52 PM

Addmittedly it wasnt until I saw the AU on the circuit with the CAT colours all over it that I started toreally like the,.. although I was considering buying an AU ute at the time and put on a step side rear tub instead of the standard ugly one..

Quote:

Originally Posted by cedric

another was the vl walkie, not liked by many at all

maybe not where you are from.. I cant stand them.. I think the only thing uglier is an SLR Torana... but where I grew up and surrounding towns.. everybody ejaculated if they saw either of them..
and I always found it odd how these cars only had 2 forward moving gears.. either that or the owners didnt know they had more..

ugliest current car on the road would be a Hummer.. cant say off road cause Ive never seen one off the bitumen.

imagination is all it takes to make something ugly attractive...

GREGL · 12-09-2012, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H.G

Addmittedly it wasnt until I saw the AU on the circuit with the CAT colours all over it that I started toreally like the,.. although I was considering buying an AU ute at the time and put on a step side rear tub instead of the standard ugly one..

maybe not where you are from.. I cant stand them.. I think the only thing uglier is an SLR Torana... but where I grew up and surrounding towns.. everybody ejaculated if they saw either of them..
and I always found it odd how these cars only had 2 forward moving gears.. either that or the owners didnt know they had more..

ugliest current car on the road would be a Hummer.. cant say off road cause Ive never seen one off the bitumen.

imagination is all it takes to make something ugly attractive...

Mate if you grew up in bundy or Toowoomba all cars had only one forward gear to go lappin on friday night. I was a teenager then and toranas were hot. Light bodies, high horsepower and plenty of understeer . My brother bought a slr500 brand new in '74 and it spent a lot of time with the needle sitting past the 225 kmh mark.(the front window frames used to vibrate over 220kmh). Some rellys lived in Sydney at the the time and on a whim he picked up our gran from Brrissy one evening and arrived around 5am the next morning which was pretty good in it's day.
I loved those old Toranas then, the potential was enormous even with a red motor 6. Where as I thought the equivalant XB/Cs were a ugly car (coupes especially). These days any car over 20 yrs old kept in good order makes me smile, and a old X series with big rubber under the bum makes me drool.
Now back on topic a ssannyong( or how ever you spell it ) is definately up there as a car I hate to look at, it makes a taurus look attractive in comparison

**SSD-85** · 11-09-2012, 07:59 PM

I never hated the AU, so the thought of it never entered my mind...

Although Ive said it before; if it wasnt for the V8-lacking, FWD layout of the Taurus, Id own a '96-ish model in a heartbeat.
In completely stock looking form, in the right colour is a very attractive Ford to me.

last fairlane · 11-09-2012, 08:16 PM

Good thread
Funny the first post to sum me up hit the spot
I had a P76 Executive (Fairmont of the Leyland cars)
and loved it this was back in 1979 and I paid $700 for a 5 year old car
it had the 4.4 V8 T bar auto and Air con my first car with air
we drove from Darwin to Melbourne towing a tandem trailer
and it did 22 MPG all the way
now I have an AU1 on gas and I love it
Ive had it since 2003 going on ten years
ugly or not its the most comfortable car I have ever had
thanks John

Stefan · 11-09-2012, 08:30 PM

Blue Auto XB GT with sunroof, steer, fast glass, A/C, funny looking black cloth inserts in that hideous white interior....who'd want all that crap in a GT?

I think my brother got $5K for the nugget...

SumoDog68 · 11-09-2012, 08:30 PM

I can understand Ford enthusiasts expressing their admiration for Ford product but in reality AU series Falcon was image and sales disaster and BA was rushed through to try and save the Falcon brand. Ford Australia is still paying the price for that mistake.
I am yet to meet someone who liked or likes AU style and design . That is not taking away its qualities as reliable daily driver.

Nikked · 11-09-2012, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SumoDog68

I am yet to meet someone who liked or likes AU style and design . That is not taking away its qualities as reliable daily driver.

You've met one now...

Auslandau · 11-09-2012, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikked

You've met one now...

Obviously hasn't met anyone from these Forums.

blownv8au · 12-09-2012, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SumoDog68

I can understand Ford enthusiasts expressing their admiration for Ford product but in reality AU series Falcon was image and sales disaster and BA was rushed through to try and save the Falcon brand. Ford Australia is still paying the price for that mistake.
I am yet to meet someone who liked or likes AU style and design . That is not taking away its qualities as reliable daily driver.

Disaster? They sold heaps. I have always liked the au style, yeah the au1 forte looked crap and people get hung up on it and say au 2/3 look better, well it's only bonnet and grill change for heaven sake. It was the first thing i did to my ute. For me it's the back of the au i like best, obviously missed out on that with the ute lol.

The XA-C utes have really grown on me, never used to like them and thought they were only good for donating their doors to hardtops.

**cs123** · 12-09-2012, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blownv8au

Disaster? They sold heaps. I have always liked the au style, yeah the au1 forte looked crap and people get hung up on it and say au 2/3 look better, well it's only bonnet and grill change for heaven sake. It was the first thing i did to my ute. For me it's the back of the au i like best, obviously missed out on that with the ute lol.

They looked different when they came out and that was a bit polarising but the style grew on me. I like the look of them and to me the styling looks fresher today than a VT commo, but that's just 1 persons opinion. I'd happily buy one today.

I'm surprised by the comments about the Centura. They were well regarded as a street weapon 20 years ago with a 265 under the bonnet.

I cannot imagine a Morris Marina ever becoming collectable... worst car ever...

**DJM83** · 12-09-2012, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SumoDog68

I can understand Ford enthusiasts expressing their admiration for Ford product but in reality AU series Falcon was image and sales disaster and BA was rushed through to try and save the Falcon brand. Ford Australia is still paying the price for that mistake.
I am yet to meet someone who liked or likes AU style and design . That is not taking away its qualities as reliable daily driver.

You just met another one, disaster eh? go and do some research and come back.

imugli · 12-09-2012, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM83

You just met another one, disaster eh? go and do some research and come back.

And another, actually.

An AU3 XR8 220. Dropped on its guts. Yes please.

SumoDog68 · 13-09-2012, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM83

You just met another one, disaster eh? go and do some research and come back.

I was part of AU launch and know how they came together - dont remember any of my workmates buying an AU .
BA could not come soon enough at a cost of $500 mill - now AU's are admired for being a stylish car you say ??
AU was a disaster for Ford Australia - most punters went shopping elswhere and havent returned.