Black is the new black

Henry Ford would be pleased. Well, almost. 

"Any customer can have a car painted any colour that he wants so long as it is black." 
- Henry Ford - 1909 about the Model T 

FJ Holden Ute

General Motors Holden has been producing cars in Australia since 1948. The "ute" (Australian abbreviation of utility) has been produced since 1951 and has been a workhorse for generations of farmers.

The FJ, much beloved of restorers and collectors, was produced from 1953 to 1956. I spotted this one in Sydney today.

Just as a guess from the number plate, I'd say it may be a 1954 model.

Red car club

As I was driving along the Princes Highway at Arncliffe last weekend, I saw this line of red cars, looking as if they were off to a red car convention somewhere.

BAD 5ON

I wonder what he did?????

Jag or MG?

Follow the white line

The Hume Highway just south of Sydney - heading down the south coast (by the inland route) for a few
days' Easter break.

Taken about 4:25 this afternoon, all quiet, car on cruise control at 110 kph. Speeding attracts large fines and double demerit points over the Easter weekend.

Homeward Bound

Where Parramatta Road becomes Broadway.

White vans all in a row

Smart in Surry Hills

Apparently the inner city suburb of Surry Hills has the highest proportion of Smart cars in Australia. A great idea as the streets are narrow, and parking not readily available. I wouldn't mind taking one for a spin - have you driven one?

Car sculpture

Look what happened to this Mercedes, parked too long in Cook St, Turrella! Aliens tried to build a space craft out of it.

Update: This site tells me the sculpture is by Dylan, and was exhibited in last year's Sculpture By The Sea.

Roll Out The Rollers

I bet you have never seen so many Rolls Royces in one place! I was passing by this Rolls Royce hire business, saw the ones parked out in the street, so stuck my head inside the garage for a sticky beak. The convertible in the foreground of the second pic is a Morris Minor. The owner told me that the stretch in the front of the line of three Rollers is the only one of that model in Australia.

FC Holden

Any old car fans out there? (Old cars, not old fans!)

Produced by General Motors Holden, 1958-60. See more about them here. It is said that during 1959 the Holden FC commanded more than 50 percent of the Australian car market. This one is from Queensland, by the look of the number plate.

Once was Map World...

...now a car tyre outlet at Tempe.

Cop Car, Wolli Creek Station (Transport 2)

I'm really sorry if I'm neglecting visiting all the other daily photos at the moment, but I am busier than usual at work, as well as doing some other things. I hope to come and visit soon (though I do have work all day Saturday as well...)

Conaust Terminal, Glebe Island (Rozelle)

New motor vehicle imports are docked in Johnstons Bay at the Conaust Car Terminal. Australia has a very small domestic car industry. Most cars are imported, and most of those come from Japan. European cars are definitely in the minority, often very expensive, and many are regarded as being in the "luxury" class.

At this terminal, vehicles await processing before delivery to dealers.

Where Big Boys like to play

Tempe Tyre and Wheel Centre

RIP Byrnesy

It has become very common in recent years in Australia to see impromptu memorials set up along roadsides where people have been killed in road accidents.

This memorial in East Hills is the most elaborate I've ever encountered. It includes messages written all over the road surfaces and telegraph poles.

Are roadside memorials a feature of your city or country?

Parking problems?

Seems it's been taking some time to find the reverse gear.

Driving to get fit

"They drove what to go where????"

I reckon one day, in Futurama World, archaeologists, sociologists and historians will be gobsmacked in wonderment at the concept of all these overweight and body-conscious people getting in their cars and driving to expensive franchised Emporiums Of Fitness in an attempt to counteract the effects of the car-based society they had created in the first place!

This is my gym at 6.57 am; the car park is packed, and as the "first shift" is leaving, the next is cruising for places to park.

Vanishing icons: the Holden Monaro GTS

The Monaro was made by Holden, the Australian branch of General Motors from 1968 to 1979. It was a rev-head's car of choice. I pass this lovingly restored example on my walk to the station each morning. I especially love the "Monaro Parking Only" sign!

Wikipedia has some more info here, and there's a history of the Monaro, including this model, here.