aussie coupes - will we ever see one again?

[jphanna]

With the aussie designed an built cars looking shaky in the future, could the recent (99-06) Monaro be the last ever production coupe ever made by an aussie company?

Lets keep the concept cars out of this. I know that there is a ‘concept’ VE coupe running around, and the Falcon AU coupe that appeared once in the magazines was particularly nice, but NOT a production vehicle.

More importantly and sad when you think about it….but is the cobra the last ever ford production AUSSIE coupe to be made? I know the economies of scale don’t add up for car companies as far as coupes are concerned….but to think the cobra was the last aussie ford coupe, is sad.

Would aussies accept the USA mustang if it was brought in as a right hand drive car, officially by ford Australia?

[platinumXR]

It's something that's been bandied around for ages, and one that will evoke heaps of emotional responses.

I, for one; would love to see a coupe but I fear that the current model(s) do not lend themselves to coupe styling without being to 'forced' or 'mutilated' for want of better words. We all miss and love the 'classic' stying, curves and finesse of the Falcon coupe's but...

The only other coupe I would consider to be of worthy consideration would be a Mustang (current) but, I am not too sure that the build quality nor the 'Powerball' pricetag would be too attractive to the average punter as the Falcon coupes enjoyed much of their success due to their accessability.

[jphanna]

Originally Posted by platinumXR

It's something that's been bandied around for ages, and one that will evoke heaps of emotional responses.

I, for one; would love to see a coupe but I fear that the current model(s) do not lend themselves to coupe styling without being to 'forced' or 'mutilated' for want of better words. We all miss and love the 'classic' stying, curves and finesse of the Falcon coupe's but...

The only other coupe I would consider to be of worthy consideration would be a Mustang (current) but, I am not too sure that the build quality nor the 'Powerball' pricetag would be too attractive to the average punter as the Falcon coupes enjoyed much of their success due to their accessability.

i agree with your term 'mutilated or forced'. the best coupes in history LOOK like coupes, not just 2 door versions of the sedans. BIG difference.

[LOCO XP]

Originally Posted by jphanna

i agree with your term 'mutilated or forced'. the best coupes in history LOOK like coupes, not just 2 door versions of the sedans. BIG difference.

I've had similar discussions in the past, especially when the latest Monaros were released amidst comments of them looking like 2 door Commodores. I think people have forgotten that the HK-T-G and to a lesser extent HQ Monaros weren't that radically different to their 4 door brothers except for the roofline/c-pillar treatment. Likewise, the early Falcon coupes (US Sprints, XM-XPs) not that radically different (but I'd give my left one to own one), and early Valiant coupes (VF-G) similar story.... 2 long doors and a speedy looking C-pillar and voila, instant coupe.

XA-B-C coupes and perhaps even Chargers on the other hand, other than the front clips are something else when sat beside the 4 door variants.

The FG with an altered roofline/c-pillar, and 2 door treatment would be sweet no doubt, but commercially viable? Bloody unlikely! Leave it to Hilliers or the like to build for somebody with a passion for 2 door Aussie rockets and deep pockets.

[Dave_au]

You will not see one again. Not unless the fortunes of Holden and the like go back to those of the mid-90s (which won't happen).

[peeds13]

Sad, but true. I doubt there will be one unless its the mustang and I dont think that counts coz its not a falcon.

[Chopped]

I know there are 12,755 photoshopped coupe versions of the FG.

Here is 12,756 ! >


:

[388cube_edxr8]

Originally Posted by Chopped

I know there are 12,755 photoshopped coupe versions of the FG.

Here is 12,756 ! >


:

That just looks like an Infinity G35 to me, albeit without the ugly rear lights.

[burnz]

their is a two door cruze in the pipeline. (chev)
weather its made local is another thing.

[johnny351]

i think if we may be seeing the end of the falcon in the future that ford should do a retro model based on the xa to commemorate the first aussie designed falcon then they could do a coupe...but im only dreaming

[vanman_75]

the fg would be the best shape to allow a good looking coupe since the xabc ,but falcon wont see 2 doors again imho.

[4Vman]

Never again... they're struggling to maintain a viable case for large 4 door sedans, if Ford cant justify a FG wagon, what hope would a coupe have at 1/10th its sales volume and probably 10 times the wagon's development cost????

[Fev]

Once the Fordone Global RWD platform is here it may be a bit more viable but not at the time being

[Auslandau]

Not while Mustang is an option ..... no hope in hell a specific coupe would ever be built here for such a small market again. Might have happened 15 years ago but never again with such a world platform being developed. GM is a different story ..... they do not care about the bottom dollar .... how they keep going I have no idea!



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[onfire]

Is there a strong enough market for a production coupe? And in saying that, it has to be fast. Real fast.

And anyone serious about buying a powerful coupe buys something that isn't a 2 door Commodore or Falcon.

[Jayden]

If it was desirable enough why wouldnt they sell enough.

Im sure theres plenty of men who would be won over by a next generation coupe if it has all the proper ingredients of an australian muscle car.

If I had the cash, and it met my high expectations of simple non-****y classic styling I would buy it. Theres no market competition for a car like that exept a used Monaro or the original.

[banarcus]

If half the members here on this forum signalled a real desire to actually purchase one every year for the next 5 or 10 years, then they would build it.

[auxr]

Originally Posted by banarcus

If half the members here on this forum signalled a real desire to actually purchase one every year for the next 5 or 10 years, then they would build it.

No way, done and dusted will not happen again, specially with the global economy trying to get kick started. Bottom line profits for GM & Ford would not allow such a small niche seller to be considered.i.e as a Falcon or Monaro coupe.

banarcus - I can follow your logic, but no way in hell would FORD AU consider production of a vehicle on the supposed desire to purchase from members of a public forum.

[onfire]

Realistically this is what we're talking about. An XR8 Coupe.

We're talking about appealing to a GenX/Y younger market rather than the Baby Boomer generation. A high end super luxury coupe with the gift of a V8 or T6 would only compete with much better euro/japanese cars, or at least in the eyes of potential prestige buyers, it would fall short.

Any one with children who wants a luxury or muscle car would look instantly at the sedan versions of the G6, SS, XR8, XR6T, etc before a coupe.

Then you've got to consider the $50,000-60,000+ price tag they'd throw on a two door Commodore or Falcon. Consider a V6 model Monaro was near $48,000 in 2001.

[jphanna]

Originally Posted by onfire

Realistically this is what we're talking about. An XR8 Coupe.

We're talking about appealing to a GenX/Y younger market rather than the Baby Boomer generation. A high end super luxury coupe with the gift of a V8 or T6 would only compete with much better euro/japanese cars, or at least in the eyes of potential prestige buyers, it would fall short.

Any one with children who wants a luxury or muscle car would look instantly at the sedan versions of the G6, SS, XR8, XR6T, etc before a coupe.

Then you've got to consider the $50,000-60,000+ price tag they'd throw on a two door Commodore or Falcon. Consider a V6 model Monaro was near $48,000 in 2001.

holden was admanant that they MADE MONEY on the last monaro run. the only reason it was canned was because of the impending VE floorplan which cut short, the sucessfull run of the old floorplan monaro. i have a mate who is on a current aust wide search for a series 2 monaro. the good ones are still pushing $35-40,000 for an unmolested one. that type of resale is very good when you look at other cars from that era. my VE cost me $28,000 in 08 and its worth $17,000 today....i only done 7,000 kms in it as i been thrashing my EA.

[mrbaxr6t]

I owned two coupes one an XB and one an XC both were in a very sorry state of disrepair and the rust was just too severe on these to be repaired never would have got a RWC on them rust in firewall and sandboxes? either side behind front wheels under guards was severe if I am kind the XC had an interior and just to sit in it rear and blindspot vision was next to nonexistent very very nice cars to look at and stuff but driving is difficult especially if we remember that the turning circle is pathetic by todays design standards. The obscured blindspot vision will steer potential buyers to something else with better visibility, that means that for a coupe to be successful the rear vision needs to be equal to that of a sedan we are used to, with the big thick pillars between reardoor/screen on the photochops that wouldn't happen. Also from what I have read in auto mags and the like not one single coupe has good blindspot vision, and alot have very poor rear visibility, in Victoria where we have 45 deg parking that we have to reverse out the poor rear and blindspot vision equates to a pedestrian steamroller the way they walk along behind parked cars.

I would love to see one, and love even more to own one, but I am afraid that we won't see a 2 door falcon again unless it is heavily based on mustang that is 2 door, but to make it viable will need to be sold globally not just in AU.

[Chopped]

Wow..... how many posts before "Holden"/ "making no money" / "just a 2 door Commodore" / "dumb if you own a monaro" / "Ford are clever for not building a coupe" were mentioned.......not many, LOL but sad.
(how predictable)

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by banarcus

If half the members here on this forum signalled a real desire to actually purchase one every year for the next 5 or 10 years, then they would build it.

If half the members here on this forum signalled a real desire to actually purchase oa NEW FORD every year for the next 5 or 10 years, then they would be the largest car company in Australia....

[Chopped]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

If half the members here on this forum signalled a real desire to actually purchase oa NEW FORD every year for the next 5 or 10 years, then they would be the largest car company in Australia....

Lol (so true)

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

If half the members here on this forum signalled a real desire to actually purchase oa NEW FORD every year for the next 5 or 10 years, then they would be the largest car company in Australia....

Valid point Norm but i have no intention of buying a NEW ford in the near future. Id rather someone take the 'big hit' when purchasing to allow me to buy it a little cheaper. Also i have the Ford i want why buy another.

Back to the coupe, your right it will never happen. As ford are trying to stay alive with the 4 door versions. If you want a 2 door sports car buy a V8 ute IMO.
The monaro was/is the ONLY coupe to ever catch my eye and id own one in a heart beat i think to this day they still have that wow factor.

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Valid point Norm but i have no intention of buying a NEW ford in the near future. Id rather someone take the 'big hit' when purchasing to allow me to buy it a little cheaper. Also i have the Ford i want why buy another.

Back to the coupe, your right it will never happen. As ford are trying to stay alive with the 4 door versions. If you want a 2 door sports car buy a V8 ute IMO.
The monaro was/is the ONLY coupe to ever catch my eye and id own one in a heart beat i think to this day they still have that wow factor.

Fair points, i just find it amazing the amount of people who claim Ford will sell heaps of (insert obscure niche' model here) yet have neither the means nor the intent on ever actually buying (insert obscure niche' model here).....

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Fair points, i just find it amazing the amount of people who claim Ford will sell heaps of (insert obscure niche' model here) yet have neither the means nor the intent on ever actually buying (insert obscure niche' model here).....

Also they have no idea what it takes to make an (insert obscure niche' model here)..... either.
As much as id like to see a coupe or the likes. Im sure there are more 'profitable' (and i use that term loosely) that Ford can/will put money into.

[banarcus]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

If half the members here on this forum signalled a real desire to actually purchase oa NEW FORD every year for the next 5 or 10 years, then they would be the largest car company in Australia....

Thanks, my point exactly

Coupes, Falcon coupes will never again be built in this country again.

[jpd80]

The only reason we had the XA/B/C Falcon coupes is because Edsel Ford II pushed for it whilst stationed here.
A vehicle which incidentally, was canceled by Geoff Polites in his earlier career at Ford.

The only RWd coupe we may ever see here would be a fully imported factory RWD Mustang.
I wouldn't hold my breath on that one........

[z80]

Anyone who has driven a Monaro/CV8 will realize just how awful they in terms of visibility and the impracticallity of only two doors.

Those pillars are damned awful.

There is quite a selection of very well built convertibles that would be a better choice.

A convertible XR6T would be a far better proposition, let's see a photo chop of that !