Driving a dinosaur
Discussion
Today was the first opportunity Ive had this year to give my Monaro a proper drive.
I covered about 120 miles on the back roads of Kielder forest and the surrounding area.
Over the years I have completed quite few driving courses and feel pretty well qualified when I say the Monaro is one hell of a capable car.
On dry empty roads the cars all round ability was quite remarkable for its size.
The car had that lovely planted feeling and gave the impression that it was truly relentless in its ability to cover ground.
The fact that the cars chassis, gearbox and engine are from the dark ages is even more perplexing.
Yes a Monaro is both ancient and heavy and it is out classed by more modern stuff, but it really it is an impressive thing.
long live the Monaro.
I covered about 120 miles on the back roads of Kielder forest and the surrounding area.
Over the years I have completed quite few driving courses and feel pretty well qualified when I say the Monaro is one hell of a capable car.
On dry empty roads the cars all round ability was quite remarkable for its size.
The car had that lovely planted feeling and gave the impression that it was truly relentless in its ability to cover ground.
The fact that the cars chassis, gearbox and engine are from the dark ages is even more perplexing.
Yes a Monaro is both ancient and heavy and it is out classed by more modern stuff, but it really it is an impressive thing.
long live the Monaro.
Sounds like you've had a right blast! Nice write up 
The Monaro uses a simple formula, and it is one that simply works!
Todays 'sports' and performance cars are very complicated bits of kit. Laptops on wheels, making power through technology rather than simple muscle and doing 90% of the driving too!
Long live the Monaro!
The Monaro uses a simple formula, and it is one that simply works!
Todays 'sports' and performance cars are very complicated bits of kit. Laptops on wheels, making power through technology rather than simple muscle and doing 90% of the driving too!
Long live the Monaro!
Lovely area Kielder.....amazing place to drive around in the early hours after a visit to the observatory.
Modern cars appear to suit our fast pace, throw away, take for granted life style (well it was like that before the lock down, we may have had time to think about things more) but there’s comfort in driving something that you feel at one with and most Holden/HSVs give you that feeling.
Where we are inevitably heading is very well illustrated in a song by Rush called Red Barchetta. Play that next time you are out in the Ro enjoying the experience.
Modern cars appear to suit our fast pace, throw away, take for granted life style (well it was like that before the lock down, we may have had time to think about things more) but there’s comfort in driving something that you feel at one with and most Holden/HSVs give you that feeling.
Where we are inevitably heading is very well illustrated in a song by Rush called Red Barchetta. Play that next time you are out in the Ro enjoying the experience.
I don't think there's anything remarkable about the 'average' modern eurobox.
They haven't evolved quite as much as the industry would have you believe. Of course they'll tell you it has to sell new cars. As a massive fan of Wheeler Dealers and all such programs you can see this. Edd has commented as much.
A spring is a spring, a wheel is a wheel and brakes are still just brakes!
Sure, they've managed to make them safer through computer aided design and yes they can park themselves, but strip the tech off and the mechanicals aren't the quantum leap they'd have you believe.
I'm not interested in all the added tech...lane guidance, pilot assist systems and all that BS. I honestly don't know how we ever managed without all it! Its not like we drive faster these days is it?! We're not allowed and speed limits are increasingly reducing.
They haven't evolved quite as much as the industry would have you believe. Of course they'll tell you it has to sell new cars. As a massive fan of Wheeler Dealers and all such programs you can see this. Edd has commented as much.
A spring is a spring, a wheel is a wheel and brakes are still just brakes!
Sure, they've managed to make them safer through computer aided design and yes they can park themselves, but strip the tech off and the mechanicals aren't the quantum leap they'd have you believe.
I'm not interested in all the added tech...lane guidance, pilot assist systems and all that BS. I honestly don't know how we ever managed without all it! Its not like we drive faster these days is it?! We're not allowed and speed limits are increasingly reducing.
Now there's a classic song....I seem to remember that Geddy Lee said the song was based on truth. Now that's the kind of Uncle we all would have liked!
Funny you say that Monaros are old school, I do agree but I gave a 13 plate C63 AMG a bit of a spanking earlier today. I figured both of us were pretty evenly matched. C63 514BHP but modern auto DSG type box and me manual and about 550bhp...it was fun and eventually when we pulled alongside each other, the guy in the C63 had a massive grin on his face and gave me the thumbs up, as did I to him. Seriously enjoyable! Old skool but still got it !
Funny you say that Monaros are old school, I do agree but I gave a 13 plate C63 AMG a bit of a spanking earlier today. I figured both of us were pretty evenly matched. C63 514BHP but modern auto DSG type box and me manual and about 550bhp...it was fun and eventually when we pulled alongside each other, the guy in the C63 had a massive grin on his face and gave me the thumbs up, as did I to him. Seriously enjoyable! Old skool but still got it !
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