For ruggedness, remoteness and gosh-awfull corrugated goat tracks that pass for roads Australia has no equal. You'd have to go to africa to find anywhere near as bad to drive a car. Yet, before 1985 you'd hardly see an SUV on the road in Australia. Apart from the odd Landrover or FJ series Toyota Landcruiser (usually driven by a city twit with a hobby farm). In the 70s, the Range Rover made it's debut and was an immediate hit with antique dealers and architects (in the city).
There were three types of car favoured by Aussie cockies (farmers) and bushies (rural dwellers).
1/ The Classic Peugeots. From the 203 model of 1948 to the 505 (last sold in 1992), these compact but immensely strong and utterly reliable French cars had no equal. with 4 cyl engines between 1200 and 2200 cc they were not powerful but their suspension could glide over rough roads like nothing before or since! 4 Cyl. Weight: Under 2500 lbs.
2/ The Holden (General Motors Australia) Ute. The Aussie 'Ute' is short for coupe utility (like a Chev' El Camino or Ford Ranchero). From 1950 to now, the 2WD only Ute offered pickup truck convenience with sedan comfort. Limited slip diffs were not available until 1967. Yet these vehicals were the car of choice for generations of bushmen as well as tradesmen and contractors in the cities & towns. 6 cyl. Weight: Under 3000 lbs.
3/ The Ford Fairlane. Big, rugged, comfortable. Able to cope with bad roads all day and able to tow a horse float (trailer) it was the first choice for wealthy squatters (big ranchers, graziers). Small block V8. Weight: Under 4000 lbs.
Cars like these tamed the Aussie bush. From the blacksoil plains, the outback deserts and the Northern tropics. Wet season AND dry.
Why then do people who never get off a bitumen road require a 5000 + lb SUV that chews through tires, brakes, suspension components AND fuel at TWICE the rate of a regular vehical?
Topic: Only WANKERS and idiots drive SUVs! (Read 1360 times)