True Blue Holden Original
Early in 1951, country Holden dealer Rex Toop took delivery of his first Holden Ute. Fifty years down the track, the two of them are still going strong. Rex, of Maitland, South Australia, celebrated this year's Holden Ute golden anniversary with a slice of birthday cake and a pat on the mudguard for his trusty workshop ute. Australia's longest-serving Holden dealer, Rex Toop has sold every model produced, from the first 1948 sedan onwards, but that original utility remains a favourite.
"This was my demonstrator, and I sold it in March 1951 to a local farmer who wouldn't take no for an answer. After that, I sold it twice more around the district before deciding to hang onto it myself around 40 years ago," says the 77 year old. "The old ute's seen almost as much service as I have - and lasted a darn sight better," he laughs. "Mind you, it's had a replacement engine and I haven't."
When Holden introduced the original Coupe Utility, codenamed 50-2106, buyer demand for the tough, economical, go-anywhere performer was so strong that the waiting list blew out to an amazing 70,000 by the end of 1951. Although Holden couldn't produce enough utes to satisfy that kind of demand, its booming sales, combined with those of Australia's Own Car -the 48-215 - took Holden to the top of the market that year for the first time.
Half a century and 23 Holden Ute models later, how does Rex Toop compare Old Faithful with the all-new 2001 Holden Ute, which made its showroom debut this month?
"That's impossible to answer. In 1951, we thought this was the ultimate; how could you improve on something so good? Now, of course, it's history. It was the same with every new ute Holden brought out. You think it's the ant's pants, and then something better comes along. The new one's absolutely magnificent. It's bigger and roomier, it has independent rear suspension - all the Commodore features my customers have been asking for in a utility," concluded Rex.
Forget Cars...
Bored with cars? Well, how about your own personal helicopter?
SoloTrek XFV is a new kind of flying vehicle that transports an individual in a standing position, efficiently and quietly, at speeds up to 130 km/h. Because it is able to take off and land vertically (VTOL), like a helicopter, SoloTrek XFV can easily operate out of extremely confined spaces. Unlike an airplane with long wings, SoloTrek XFV never requires an airport runway. The operator steps onto the machine and secures himself/herself in a standing position. Then, using ordinary automobile gasoline, SoloTrek XFV's engine comes to life, energizing two counter-rotating ducted fans. These fans produce the thrust necessary to lift the machine and move it along toward its destination. By manipulating the tilt and revolutions per minute (RPM) of the ducted fans, the operator commands SoloTrek XFV to take off vertically, dash to the ultimate destination, then land on any level surface larger than a dining room table.
Cost? A cool £59995 in the UK.
http://www.gadgetmasters.com/acatalog/acatalog_338.html
Quickies
- Melbourne based Autospeed journalist/photographer, Greg Brindley, has recently set up a product photographic studio. Those wanting studio quality product photography or quality soft light outdoor car photography can call Greg on 03 8802 0199 or 0418 362 674.
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