"Dann" (ammerty)
02/22/2014 at 05:46 • Filed to: CARYARD SATURDAY
2
13|
"Dann" (ammerty)
02/22/2014 at 05:46 • Filed to: CARYARD SATURDAY | 2
| 13 |
1998 HSV VT GTS Series 1
My dad, whom I inherit my passion for cars from, is currently imprisoned in a Proton Savvy which he 'voluntarily' drives out of circumstance.
He's now back in a position to choose what he wants to drive, and after an afternoon of popping hoods and avoiding chatty salespeople, he laid eyes on his unicorn.
It had been on the yard for at least a month or two, as I had been there several times prior and saw it, and the price had dropped rather significantly (down from $17k - which no-one in their right mind would have paid - to $12k).
The exterior was above average for its age and mileage (201,000km / 125,000 mi), and the interior - though showing signs of wear in common areas such as seat bolsters, steering wheel and gear shift console trims - was also in good condititon.
The VT series 1 models were the last to feature the Holden-built V8, before sourcing the LS1 V8s in the series 2 models. This GTS, being a series 1, had the 220kw Harrop Engineering-stroked 5,7L version of the 5.0L Holden-built V8. Despite its mileage, it was as tight as a drum, as was the rest of the driveline - responsive, smooth shifting box, and no untoward noises, and a bit of an eye-opener when given the beans! Whoever put the pod filter on though, needs their head read.
The only downsides that were to be found were non-operational air conditioning (possibly as simple as low gas), a few carpark door dents and a scratch on the C-pillar.
My Dad couldn't hide the joy in his face after coming back from the test drive; niggling issues aside, he had found what he was looking for - and now has to duke it out with the minister of finance (the wife - who, to her merit is pretty accommodating to the wants of her normally-V8-happy husband) to make it a reality.
A day out at the yards with the old man is always a Saturday well spent, even at thirty years old I rarely tire of it.
JustWaitingForAMate
> Dann
02/22/2014 at 06:25 |
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Only downside to it. It's auto. But otherwise, not bad.
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Dann
> JustWaitingForAMate
02/22/2014 at 06:31 |
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Yeah, there were other considerations to be had with regard to the auto. But for the price, it was pretty tidy.
Roberto G.
> Dann
02/22/2014 at 06:33 |
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What's wrong with the air filter? And still, $10K USD for a 16 years old car that is not an Alfa Romeo, looks quite expensive to me.
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JustWaitingForAMate
> Roberto G.
02/22/2014 at 06:42 |
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Take everything you know about car prices in the US, and throw it away. The same numbers don't apply here.
Simplify, then add beer
> Dann
02/22/2014 at 06:56 |
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Urgh, Commodores and A/C issues. Used to own one that dripped hot water onto the right foot of the driver if you were cornering hard - scares the crap out of you if you're wearing thongs or barefoot.
You should be able to check the gas levels by venting a tiny amount whilst the sales guy isn't looking.
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Dann
> JustWaitingForAMate
02/22/2014 at 07:01 |
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^This...
Car prices are quite a different beast in Australia when compared to the US.
Answering AUTOVOX's question, I can only assume the previous owner had fitted a pod filter but kept the stock lower airbox, god knows why.
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Dann
> Simplify, then add beer
02/22/2014 at 08:17 |
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Where was it leaking hot water from? Heater core? It'd give you quite the scare if you were wearing pluggers I'm sure!
DarrenMR
> Dann
02/22/2014 at 09:51 |
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Silly Australian cars. (that Im super jealous of.)
HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
> Dann
02/22/2014 at 11:02 |
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I guess Holden and Pontiac have more in common than I thought...
Also I wish GM would have sold the four door version here too.
Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
> Dann
02/22/2014 at 11:35 |
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Is it a particularly dusty area? The half airbox could keep it it somewhat cleaner, and if that is a K&N anything that can help it is good.
jdrgoat - Ponticrack?
> Dann
02/22/2014 at 16:18 |
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HSV. *drool* The closest thing that I have is an HSV steering wheel and key fob for my car. Oh, and I changed the startup sequence on the cluster to the HSV one (you know, to match the key and all)...
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Dann
> HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
02/23/2014 at 03:46 |
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Whats the common thread that you have found here? I wouldn't be surprised if switchgear and shifters were from a global parts bin.
Who knows, it could have been the car to turn around Pontiac's fortunes, making it the RWD Bonneville of its time. That said, however, the G8 never maintained the sales momentum that the Bonneville it superseded did, so who could say really.
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HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
> Dann
02/23/2014 at 15:31 |
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just the general ugly interior design.
