MUSCLE NEWS
Joe Kenwright is the man with more leads than Pets ‘R’ Us. Joe reveals the problems Ford faces with its busy rollout of new models. He also considers Holden SV6 ute’s performance and practicality credentials. Meantime, muscle maniac James Cockington notes auction prices are rebounding for prime nameplates. He uncovers a ‘bribe to subcribe’ A9X with 14km on the clock!
MUSCLE MAIL
This issue readers: recall Tony Edmondson’s 1979 Surfers Paradise crash; reveal more about the Mad Max Interceptor’s ‘afterlife’; highlight a Malaysian Torana GTR (pictured right), and tell us more about a proposed Queensland racetrack. Meantime, others readers request more information about their cars in Muscle Assist. After all, readers are the best researchers.
MUSCLE TORQUE: JOHN BOWE
JB tells us about his awkward teen years, when he lusted after some classic Aussie cars. He also recalls his involvement in tuning the suspension of the early Ford Performance Vehicle models and believes that our country produces some of the world’s finest muscle cars.
MUSCLE TORQUE: PAUL STUBBER
Historic tin-top racer Paul Stubber recalls more from his first trip to Bathurst, in 1992. He provides an insight to why the Group N ranks are bursting at the seams. Maybe it has something to do with quality of the end-of-day barbeques, despite the presence of the inevitable ‘BBQ experts’.
TCM
The Touring Car Masters’ V8 Charger ranks are about to swell from one to three. In doing so, the age-old Charger question will be reignited: would a V8 have been a better Great Race weapon than the six? AMC also notes the career – and current day – achievements of TCM Camaro driver Andrew Miedecke.
IMMORTAL MUSCLE
AMC has obtained previously unseen documents outlining what Al Turner was originally planning for Ford’s 1971 frontline fighter. Joe Kenwright investigates the early plans for a smaller US-based coupe and reveals why Ford opted for the GT-HO Phase III. We examine the finished product.
THE 1984 CANNONBALL RUN
An unauthorised race from Melbourne to Perth for a motley group of cars. The winners flew under the radar to steal victory, despite a farcical ending. AMC has dug up details.
KIWI MUSCLE: NZ VH SS
Kiwi correspondent Steven Holmes takes a close look at the car that helped kill the country’s home-grown production car class in the early 1980s, the NZ VH Commodore SS. Not only did Peter Brock play a key role in its development, he drove it to victory too. What? You haven’t of this 30-run production-line special?
MEMORABLE MUSCLE RACER
Frank Matich was named at number seven in Wheels magazine’s top 50 list of Australia’s greatest race drivers. Last edition we outlined Matich’s early open-wheeler and ultra-successful sportscar exploits. This time Aaron Lewis details his achievements as Australia’s Formula 5000 pioneer in the 1970s and asks Matich why he retired early.
MAX McLEOD
The days of car dealers backing race teams are long gone. More’s the pity when you consider how Max McLeod used his association with John Goss to good effect. AMC tracked down McLeod to reminisce about the glory days of race on Sunday, sell on Monday, and that Bathurst win in 1974.
GT NATIONALS
The 14th Ford Falcon GT Nationals took on extra significant due to the GT-HO Phase III’s 40th birthday. AMC’s snappers captured all the colour from Mt Gravatt Showground and Lakeside Park.
MINI MUSCLE
AMC showcases the latest model releases from Australia’s gun diecast companies, including the first 1:18 scale Formula 5000s. We also take a look at what Phase III models are available. So don’t despair if you can’t afford a real XY GT-HO.
OUT OF ACTION
A minute’s silence please for dearly departed. This is the section that breaks our heart every time, but you guys love. Now, where’s that number for Russell Ingall’s Car Protection Agency?
MIA
We have some housekeeping to do. AMC has tracked down one of WA racer Graeme Hooley’s old Commodores and his A9X. We also report back on our efforts to find the yellow four-door Max Max MFP interceptor.
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