Ton Up At 24kmh
Newcastle Herald
Wednesday May 16, 2001
I T rolled along at a steady 24kmh and was the last car to park in Canberra during the recent Shannons 2001 National Motoring Tour but the 1901 Locomobile made it.
The Bulahdelah-based veteran was part of an armada of cars of all ages that descended on Canberra for the centenary of Federation.
The old timer has an interesting history. Built in the United States in 1901 it was shipped to Wellington in 1902 and used by a Dr Rygate for house calls.
It was found 30 years ago in sandhills near Wellington after being washed away by floods during the 1920s and has recently been restored.
* IN case you were wondering which cars were the most popular with light-fingered types we offer the list of the 10 most stolen vehicles in Australia.
They are: Hyundai Excel X3, Holden Commodores VT, VR, VS and VP, Ford Falcon EF, Toyota HiLux, Toyota Corolla, Ford Falcon EL and Honda Civic.
The least recovered? Commodore VT and VR, Hyundai Excel, Commodore VS and VP, Corolla, Falcon EF, Toyota HiLux and Falcon EB II.
The top 10 average insurance claims, incidentally, are Subaru Impreza ($23,300), Commodore VSII ($21,000), Commodore VT ($17,300), Falcon EFII ($16,900), Commodore VRII ($16,600), Commodore VS ($15,900), Commodore VR ($13,800), Subaru Liberty ($13,600), Falcon ED ($13,100) and Falcon EL ($12,600).
* HOLDEN is also getting on the limited-edition bandwagon with 350 VX model Calais Internationals.
They are distinguished from regular Calais by unique Delft Blue metallic paint, 17-inch alloy wheels with 235/45 low-profile tyres, Howe leather trim and custom embroidered mats.
All are powered by the 5.7-litre GEN III V8 engine.
For those not able to find the necessary $52,990 there is also the limited Commodore Equipe in sedan and wagon versions.
Extra equipment runs to 15-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured side mouldings with chrome insert, chrome exhaust extension, exclusive interior fabric, air-conditioning, power windows, cruise control, CD player and Equipe badging. Equipe wagons also get a tailored roof rack.
Equipe costs $35,245 in sedan form and $33,420 for the wagon.
* CONGRATULATIONS to Lake Macquarie rally driver Matthew Young who starred in the Aussie Car Challenge class at the recent Subaru Rally of Canberra.
Matthew, driving a Holden Commodore V8, was runner-up, pipped at the post by fellow Commodore rallyist Brett Bower from Sydney.
Sydneysider Derrick Bayliss completed the Holden hat-trick by grabbing third in his Commodore.
© 2001 Newcastle Herald