on four wheels

Summernats 2012 - Utes

2012-01-26T20:46:00.000-05:00

Utes are as Australian as Vegemite, that is they are an Australian invention owned by American corporations... Summernats is a great venue to observe the ute at work and play. Many are entered as show cars and make their way down the burnout track, but most are used to haul the show cars to EPIC and then used as cruisers. It's a great way to circle all day with your mates in the back.

For this photoessay, I've put the US utes at the beginning then the Holdens then the Fords. I know that one tonners and US pickups are mixed in here, but overall - this is a nice look at the Aussie ute.

very cheeky

el Camino

that rear suspension needs work

classic aussie FJ ute

EK ute

EH ute

HR ute

WB ute

HJ Statesman fronted Holden ute

Turboed!

Very 70's - double Statesman grille

HQ Statesman fronted Holden one tonner

HSV Bodykit on a VY ute

HSV ute in the Dyno shootouts

XT Falcon ute

XG or XH or maybe an XF ?

LTD front on an XE ute

XH ute

Latest Falcon utes - really one tonners

See also:

Summernats 2012 - Chryslers!

Summernats 2012 - Hot Rods!

Summernats 2012 - De Tomaso Panteras

Summernats 2012 - GM cars that arent Holdens

Summernats 2012 - Victor Brays 57 Chev TUF 57

Summernats 2012 - How to get banned from Summernats - NUKINFUTS Gemini burnout

Summernats 2012 - Holdens

Summernats 2011 - Mad Max MFP Big Boppa replica Falcon

Summernats 2012 - Fords!
Summernats 2012 Supercruise
Summernats 2011

Summernats 2012 - Chryslers!

2012-01-26T05:05:00.000-05:00

As the smallest of the 'Big Three' back in the 60's and 70's the mighty Chrysler always has a presence at Summernats. You still see a few as daily drivers as well. The Charger is popular as a Summernats entrant car, but there were a few others as well. You always see US Mopar iron at Summernats. Enjoy:

Running a twin turbo!

French mopar!

I bet we will see a lot of 300's in the coming years

Amazing VH Chrysler - another of Billys photos

Now thats a flame job!

See also:

Summernats 2012 - Hot Rods!

Summernats 2012 - De Tomaso Panteras

Summernats 2012 - GM cars that arent Holdens

Summernats 2012 - Victor Brays 57 Chev TUF 57

Summernats 2012 - How to get banned from Summernats - NUKINFUTS Gemini burnout

Summernats 2012 - Holdens

Summernats 2011 - Mad Max MFP Big Boppa replica Falcon

Summernats 2012 - Fords!
Summernats 2012 Supercruise
Summernats 2011

Summernats 2012 - Hot Rods!

2012-01-17T09:57:00.000-05:00

Summernats is the Street Machine festival, with a culture quite different to that of the 'Hot Rod' set, but in recent years, there has been a conscious effort to include hot rods in the Summernats festival. Street machine even publishes an annual 'Hot Rod' magazine, to appeal to the street machine and rodder communities. I'm a bit of a purist and don't like fibreglass rods, regarding them as 'kit cars'. So, I dont want to know if any of these cars are glass, sometimes its better not to know. These are the best rods I saw at Summernats 25 this year, and although I'm not a rat rod fan, there was one that caught my eye.

I took a few photos of this T bucket rod but none came out well enough to post, fortunately Billy came to my rescue!

Kids love rods!

It takes a lot of work to look this good.

Bold.

Old school - ticks all the boxes for me.

Award winner.

I like to see english cars represented - few and far between.

utilities are always practical

even though the plate says 'rat' its more of an old school rod

you see this is a 'rat' rod - I don't really like it - its a case of 'slap it together' I think

This rat rod does work for me - very cool

34 3 Window coupe.

Nice sombrero.

See also:

Summernats 2012 - De Tomaso Panteras

Summernats 2012 - GM cars that arent Holdens

Summernats 2012 - Victor Brays 57 Chev TUF 57

Summernats 2012 - How to get banned from Summernats - NUKINFUTS Gemini burnout

Summernats 2012 - Holdens

Summernats 2011 - Mad Max MFP Big Boppa replica Falcon

Summernats 2012 - Fords!
Summernats 2012 Supercruise
Summernats 2011

Summernats 2012 - De Tomaso Panteras

2012-01-16T14:05:00.000-05:00

The De Tomaso Pantera is an iconic Italian sports car, with a bit of Australian/American power. Built from 1971 to 1991 it was designed by an American for an Italian company, and used an American engine - the legendary Ford Cleveland 351 cube V8. When supplies of this engine were no longer available from the U.S. the engine was sourced from Ford Australia.

This year two of these cars were seen at Summernats. One was used by a vendor as a static display, with a beautifully detailed engine bay open for all to admire, the other was driven by an entrant, and was seen cruising all weekend. It looked magnificent in deep gloss black.

Oh yeah, Elvis was so infuriated by his Panteras failure to start that he shot it, three times.

See also:

Summernats 2012 - GM cars that arent Holdens

Summernats 2012 - Victor Brays 57 Chev TUF 57

Summernats 2012 - How to get banned from Summernats - NUKINFUTS Gemini burnout

Summernats 2012 - Holdens

Summernats 2011 - Mad Max MFP Big Boppa replica Falcon

Summernats 2012 - Fords!
Summernats 2012 Supercruise
Summernats 2011

Summernats 2012 - GM cars that arent Holdens

2012-01-11T07:47:00.000-05:00

Todays photoessay is on the venerable General Motors Corporations products (excluding Holdens). There is always a nice showing of 2 and 4 door cars from Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac etc. Oddly - never that many Corvettes or Camaros. I know there are plenty of these around, maybe they don't get modified too much and therefore don't make it to Summernats entrant status. US readers might note how many 4 door cars there are compared to a US car show. I think we are lucky in this country that 2 and 4 door cars are equally valued.

57 Chev

56 Chev

57 Chev

Matt black just suits this car - especially with a red interior

This was the ONLY Corvette I saw!

Love this Pontiacs nose

59 Cadillac

See also:

Summernats 2012 - Victor Brays 57 Chev TUF 57

Summernats 2012 - How to get banned from Summernats - NUKINFUTS Gemini burnout

Summernats 2012 - Holdens

Summernats 2011 - Mad Max MFP Big Boppa replica Falcon

Summernats 2012 - Fords!
Summernats 2012 Supercruise
Summernats 2011

Summernats 2012 - Victor Brays 57 Chev TUF 57

2012-01-10T10:51:00.000-05:00

Victor Bray is a drag racing legend in Australia, and a Summernats regular. His 57 Chev 'TUF 57' is also a Summernats regular. This car should be in the national Museum of Australia - it is that historic. It's the car that Victor first started drag racing in, when he was a tomato farmer in Queensland.

The heart of TUF 57 is an alcohol fueled, supercharged Chev big block. With the amount of expertise in Team Bray, you can just imagine how well that engine has been built and tuned. Look at the tuned pipes. Its world class art.

This car cruises all weekend, often with four or five people on board. I've seen Victor drive around, throwing sponsor merch out the window to people in the crowds. Now he is sponsored by Sidchrome, I hope he starts throwing spanners out! Its not mint either, although mechanically spot on, the body is racing rough. many racers are unsentimental about cars, and just want the next fastest car, not too concerned about the fate of the older car they have just stepped out of. That is not the case with TUF 57. Clearly this car means a lot to him.

Ben Bray, also a drag racing champion and Victors son, was on the burnout pad in his doorslammer. TUF 57 followed it down the pad, making a bit of its own smoke. Note its full of his crew from Team Bray!

There is an excellent interview with Victor Bray at this link.

See also:

Summernats 2012 - How to get banned from Summernats - NUKINFUTS Gemini burnout

Summernats 2012 - Holdens

Summernats 2011 - Mad Max MFP Big Boppa replica Falcon

Summernats 2012 - Fords!
Summernats 2012 Supercruise
Summernats 2011

Summernats 2012 - How to get banned from Summernats - NUKINFUTS Gemini burnout

2012-01-09T00:11:00.005-05:00

video by 'Blownhemi'

Steve Nogas, owner of 'Nukinfuts' the blown Gemini, has been ~~banned for life~~ banned for a year (see update 3 below)from ~~Summernats~~ competing in the burnout competition following an incident at the Burnout Finals on Sunday.

Apparently he either a: disobeyed the fire marshalls during the qualifying burnouts and was disqualified from competing in the finals or b: his car hit the wall during a qualifying burnout and was deemed dangerous and disqualified from further competition, but he wasn't told until he lined up for the finals. He fronted up anyway...

Marshall ordering him to stop

He doesnt. Car starts to move forward, everyone gets out of the way

Burnout begins. A pretty good one as well. Smoke all the way, consistent run, lots of pirouetting on the Burnout Pad. Blows both tyres.

Crowd is in a frenzy - he celebrates a great run

Then gets jumped on by security and dragged away - BANNED

I think security have overreacted here. They should have let him drive off the pad - and then tell him he was banned. This had the potential to turn nasty.

Update 1: video of the qualifying burnout has been posted on Youtube

Video posted by 'bdking29'

'bdking29' attached this description to the video on Youtube:

This is the begining of all the controversy with Summernats claiming that Steve Nogas did not Qualify for Sundays finals because he did not obey the fire marshalls directions, claiming the fire marshall told Steve not to start the car after it stalled when contact was made with the fence, then claimed to tell Steve to shut the car down once he re-started it. Clearly you can see at 0:48 we hit the wall and at no point did the fire Marshall tell us to shut it down, The Fire Marshall then signaled to the approaching tow vehicle that he wasnt needed at 1:49 and waved us through to exit the pad at 2:02 of the footage. Summernats have since told us we never qualified on friday but at 2:21 you can clearly see the official give steve a qualifying ticket and saying well done mate.

Update 2

From a Commodores forum:

Steve Nogas
Unfortunate the way things turned out at Summernats today, I know the way I went about things wasn't right and i apologize for that but telling someone that he cannot skid with two cars to go isn't right either. Summernats had 40hrs to get in touch with me about me driving off the pad after hitting the railing in Friday's qualifier when I was supposedly told by a fire marshal not to. We had a go pro camera attached to the car which clearly shows the fire marshal directing me to drive off the pad and no one telling me to shut it down. We will be uploading this footage from Friday tomorrow. Thanks Steve

I understand an image of Steve Nogas's form with 'come back Sunday' ticked has been posted online (I haven't found it yet).

Update 3

Summernats management have reviewed the incident, and their decision and decided to rescind their lifetime ban and ban Steve for one year only. They have invited him to participate as a burnout track official next year (the year he is banned from competing). The official statement is interesting - it is all about the 'rules' and not about the stuffup in advising Mr Nogas he had been disqualified (despite evidence indicating he wasnt) and the Summernats staff overly physical reactions. Despite that observation, it is a good outcome for all parties.

See all my Summernats 2012 posts!

See also:

Summernats 2012 - Hot Rods!
Summernats 2012 - De Tomaso Panteras

Summernats 2012 - GM cars that arent Holdens

Summernats 2012 - Victor Brays 57 Chev TUF 57

Summernats 2012 - Holdens

Summernats 2011 - Mad Max MFP Big Boppa replica Falcon

Summernats 2012 - Fords!
Summernats 2012 Supercruise
Summernats 2011

Summernats 2012 - Holdens

2012-01-08T07:38:00.001-05:00

Todays post on Summernats 2011 is all about Holdens. I've arranged the cars in roughly chronological order, the oldest car being an FC. I didn't see any earlier cars, such as FJ's or 48-215's but I'm told there were a few there. Enjoy!

FC Holdens

There is so much work in this FB Panelvan - I think every panel has been modified. Outstanding car.

EJ Holden

EH Holdens

HR Holdens

HG, HK, HT Holdens - Kingswoods and Monaros

HJ Holden

HJ GTS

HQ Monaro - note the airbrushed cigar vents. On the other side the standard metal vents were present. Neat touch

HX Sandman

HQ Monaro

HX Panelvan

HQ Stationwagon

HQ Monaro GTS - look at the rubber on the guards! I suspect this car spent some time on the Burnout Pad (see future post).

barn find HJ Sandman

HQ Kingswood

HX Premier

HQ Statesman

LC Torana

Later model Toranas

Excellent Holden Gemini (Isuzu) - Thats either a triple supercharged V6 engine or a supercharged V6 being fed by two turbos. Sounded impressive.

Holden Gemini - only one turbo...

VC Commodore

VK Group A

VL Calais

A very slippery surface on parts of the EPIC roads saw a few cars lose traction momentarily - such as this VL Commodore

HDT Group Three Director

VL HSV Group A - Walkinshaw

Monaro

I call this late model Statesman the reverse Mullet car. Business up the back ...

...party at the front!

Nice angle for this Statesman

I note this Monaro is street registered. I imagine the drive up the Hume from Victoria was a lot of fun. Sadly, not legal in the ACT as the exhaust exits to the left. Might be some bonnet visibility issues as well. Not a bad lineup of utes in the background either (dedicated ute post coming...)

Summernats 2012 - Fords!
Summernats 2012 Supercruise
Summernats 2011

Summernats 2012 - Mad Max MFP Pursuit Ford Falcon

2012-01-07T00:34:00.000-05:00

I spotted this car in one of the merchandise areas at Summernats 2012, and had a quick look. A pretty accurate replica of the Roop/ Charlie Pursuit Falcon from Mad Max 1. Also known as 'Big Boppa' as that was the callsign they used in the film. Sadly, due to the lighting none of my interior photos turned out well. They even had a pair of Dinki-Di pet food cans sitting on the dash (I know, wrong film, max chows down on Dinki Di in Mad Max 2, but...)

This is a great homage to the original, and is clearly street driven. I hope the people who brought it to Summernats 2012 had fun. I didnt see it cruising - now that would have caused a sensation - especially if the lights and siren were operational! I would have loved to see it on the burnout pad as well - also with lights and sirens on!

Why is this car iconic ? Its one of the most memorable cars from Mad Max 1. Where its climax arrives in the form of destroying a caravan - a stunt performed by Grant Page that is still great to watch 30 plus years later.

Roop and Charlie airborne (really Grant Page)

Roop and Charlie on the left -" I'm gonna ram him, I'm gonna ram him!"

For details on the real car go to the MadMaxMovies.com website.

See also:
Summernats 2012 - Fords!
Summernats 2012 Supercruise
Summernats 2011

Jump in traffic.... thanks Jesse

2012-01-06T19:13:00.001-05:00

Hello to all the websurfers visiting after reading a post on car shows in Canberra from Jesse's outstanding justacarguy blog. I noticed a spike in traffic and recognised the URL as it's a site I visit OFTEN.

Have fun exploring my photo heavy posts. There is a dedicated post on utes at Summernats appearing later this week.

My latest post is on Fords at Summernats. if you are just interested in car shows, I suggest using the tags to find what you're after, or the search bar.

Summernats 2012 - Fords!

2012-01-06T07:30:00.000-05:00

Summernats 2012 is on and today I went out for a day of motorhead heaven - listening to earsplitting V8's crackling away, watching blown cars rumble around the EPIC grounds. The best thing about Summernats is that the cars aren't just static - they move and roar. All day.

I spent about ten hours walking around EPIC today - well, I did sit in the Horsepower heroes dyno shed for a while, and also a few hours were spent watching cars explode on the burnout pad! Im happy to report that the dickhead ratio is right down - with the best behaviour I have seen at a Summernats. I suspect the lack of alcohol is the main reason, as well as heavy security keeping an eye on things. I didn't see any agro at all. It was just a day filled with car spotting.

Over the next week I will be posting the photos I have taken, split into categories. Today is Fords, tomorrow Holdens - and the rest of the week will be a surprise! Yes I will have a post on the burnout pad...

The photoessay begins:

Only a few early Falcons, this was the nicest.

I know its a Lincoln, but its still a Ford

Nice XY Falcon GT - love the paint - so luscious.

Looks great in black, for some reason almost all Fairlanes of this model are white.

Landaus just look so mean. This one has lost the vinyl roof.

Nicest coupe I saw all day

Only XC I saw

I hope this car wins something - very impressive!

Perfect panel fit and paint - nice car

Local lad - xfalcon.com represent!

Im not sure if this is meant to be a ratrod homage or they didnt get past the paint stripping phase of the build but decided to come anyway.

This XF caught my eye as soon as I arrived. Very impressive. That rubber sure fills the guards.

Only EB i saw

Beautiful car - the plate suits it

Two door TC Cortina. UK import I believe.

Summernats 2012 Supercruise

2012-01-05T03:26:00.000-05:00

Summernats is a Canberra institution, and this year is its 25th birthday. The event has had its ups and downs and in recent years entrant cars have been down considerably. This year the event organisers have managed to convince the ACT Government to permit the Summernats Supercruise to occur again.

The last time it was held was in 1993. It was cancelled following rioting in Civic and a serious and permanent injury to the owner of the Burmese Food van. With tight control over what cars took part, close police presence and a shift from the evening to midday - the cruise was on!

I arrived at the Dickson end of Northbourne around 11.45AM. There were people lining Northbourne all the way from EPIC to Civic. I walked to the median strip so I could get some good photos.

At about 12:15PM the cruise began!

A couple of XE's were included - this ESP sounds and looks great.

Love the Cougar

I think this is an Elfin

Morris Minor tray truck on the left!

After only a few short minutes, the supercruise was over - with the rear taken up by a few tray trucks! I didnt see any breakdowns. I walked over to the bus stop to await the return cruise! I decided to video this - using the video function on my $89 dollar Kodak for the first time. See link below.

My youtube video of the supercruise heading back to EPIC

But we are not all car fans, this chap obviously missed the announcements regarding the supercruise. His bus was about 20 minutes late.

Tomorrow I will be off to Summernats so make sure you come back to the blog or subscribe using RSS to see my photo essay of Summernats 2012.

See also:

Ducks versus traffic

US trip 09 - Moby the GMC truck

Wheels Expo 2011 - Part 5 - Holdens, Geminis, Monaros, Ferraris and Fire Engines

2011-12-21T08:38:00.001-05:00

Although it took 8 months before I posted part 4.... here is part 5! This post looks at the Holdens that were at the 2011 Wheels Expo, back in April. I was really pleased to see a small herd of Geminis - a car I have always been fond of.

Very rare 'Hatch Hutch' Torana option

Neat convertible conversion on this FJ Holden. Also turned into a 2 door.

Its been years since I saw this number of Geminis in one place at one time

The fire engine display was really interesting. The basic design requirements of the job haven't changed, but the trucks keep getting bigger and bigger.

This ladder looked enormous

See also:

Wheels Expo 2011 Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Wheels Expo 2010

Wheels Expo 2011 - Part 4 - Plymouths, Chryslers and Studebaker

2011-12-18T05:33:00.000-05:00

OK, it's only been eight months since I posted part 3 of this photo essay, so I thought I'd post the remaining two parts before I forgot completely about it. This post is MOPAR heavy - if you like that sort of thing - I know I do!

This convertible conversion was popular in the 1980's and this one looked good.

Black Charger - just looked fantastic

Studebaker Lark

That air cleaner is unique!

See also:

Wheels Expo 2011 Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Wheels Expo 2010

Bus advertising bus advertising

2011-12-18T05:24:00.000-05:00

Like most public transport operators, ACTION buses rent the sides of their vehicles for advertising, and a recent ad caught my eye. It was a bus advertising bus advertising.

ACTION bus

A few days later Daniel Bowen, President of the Victorian Public Transport Users Association, posted an item on his blog on 'Symmetry and recursion' in public transport advertising in Melbourne. So, I emailed him the photo above - and he replied, attaching the picture below!

This aint gonna end well...

2011-12-07T19:03:00.000-05:00

I pulled over to take a call on my mobile phone yesterday and as I was talking I noticed a family of ducks pecking away at the side of the road. Occasionally the mother duck would dart out to the white line - oh no - this was not going to end well I thought...

Checking the road

Looking left and right

Off we go...

A near miss, but traffic is fortunately very light

Another near miss, but we are almost there...

Success! No lives lost. The ducks then pecked away in the median strip. This is probably not the best place for a duck family yo live. Either ducks will lose their lives at some point, or cars will brake suddenly to avoid a duck and perhaps cause a rear-end collision. I use this road at least once a week, so i will look for duck carcasses around this area for the next few weeks.

Marques in the Park 2011

2011-12-01T15:40:00.000-05:00

Marques in the Park is an annual car show in Canberra that is probably my favourite to attend. It is very casual, and is really aimed at car owners not the general public. There is no entry fee, and no parking for non-participants. So, if you are there, its likely you own one of the cars on display.

For some reason the other blokes from the P76 Club decided to not park in the space we had been allocated, and didn't bother to tell me. I decided to not park my car in the shady tree area near the lakes edge, and parked out in the middle of the grassed area. Later, the other P76's were moved to a better spot, but I was off taking foters by then. Enjoy.

Rover SD1 3500

Ford Anglia

1947 Buick

baby Austin 7

Karmann Ghia

FC Holden

Nice airbrush work on this S Series valiant

Very nice Cobra replica turn out

Always strong GT Falcon representation

Ford Capri's - I tip these to become very collectible in the near future

First time I have seen a Plymouth prowler at a car show. Amazing looking car, I took MANY photos of this. File under WANT.

Lambo

A herd of prancing horses

Nice XF. Lowered, big wheels, XG grille

XE Falcon

Very stock and clean XD Falcon

LTD hearse

EK Holden

Mazda 323 - I liked the badge. It may have had a rotary, I didnt hear it running.

Holden/Isuzu gemini

FJ Holden

EH Holden trailer!

HQ Statesman

The Morris Club always turn out in numbers

This trailer thing is a bit of a trend.

Black MG - beautiful paint and car

Ford Cortina - I'm surprised that you dont see more of these.

Ford Zephyr

Zephyr Wagon

Sole XB Falcon coupe.

US Trip 09 - Moby the GMC truck

2011-11-28T12:06:00.000-05:00

Moby - the great white GMC truck

I was going through some photos of my trip to the US in 2009 and have decided to share them on the blog, but instead of boring you with a travelogue, I will post themed pictorial essays. This is the first - and its on the truck I used on the trip. Moby - the great white whale of a truck.

In mid-2009 my mate Glenn and his business partner Sam were heading to the US to buy cars and engines for their car/engine import business 'Baltons'. I had always wanted to drive across the states and back, and after chatting to Glenn we decided to go halves in a truck. We would use it in LA for a few weeks, I would then drive cross country and back, and it would then be available for he and Sam to use on their return business trips. Sounded good to me.

They arrived a few days before I did and had already started looking for a suitable truck. After not picking me up from LAX, I caught up with them the next day and found that they had rented a Lincoln Town Car until they found a truck.

Lincoln Town Car and Zac

Probably not what the rental company had in mind - a 351 Cleveland 'D' block

Moby in the corner of the Mexican car yard

One of the things you realise pretty quick when you arrive in Los Angeles is that it is actually a Mexican city. It is full of Mexicans and spanish speaking Americans conducting business in parallel to the white bread US world that is familiar from countless American TV shows beamed to the globe. Glenn mentioned that one truck they looked at seemed OK until it shat a water pump while they were warming it up. Glenn and Sam are pretty 'mechanically minded' and said apart from that it was OK. It was in a mexican car yard in some LA suburb. We went and had another look. We needed a truck otherwise we would be carting one engine at a time.

Glenn waiting for the car salesman

350 Chev V8, AC (non working), power steering, 3 speed auto, 2 wheel drive.

The truck was pretty rough. A GMC Suburban (basically a Chevy Suburban) from the early 80's it had a 350 Chev V8 that sounded ok and ran fine. The water pump had been replaced. The truck was once red, and had a rough white paint job. It also had rust in bizarre places like the top of the window frames. Inside was roomy and comfortable, with huge bench seats, vinyl floor and a column shift auto. Glenn adjourned to the salesman trailer/office and a short time later we drove out of there (after the flat battery was changed over). We sank $600 each into this majestic vehicle. As Glenn said, if anything went wrong, he can always strip the engine and trans out and sell them for a grand in Oz.

The rest of the day consisted of getting insurance. We could drive it for 90 days on a permit, before we had to get it registered in California. That suited me fine - I would be back from my trip to NY by then. After getting back to the motel we went over the truck and fixed and adjusted some things using 2nd hand tools Sam had bought from a guy at the Pomona swap meet a few days earlier. One thing we couldn't fix was the brakes. Off to Pep Boys.

One of the other things you notice when moving around Los Angeles is that the roads go EVERYWHERE and navigating by map would take forever. GPS is the great time saver here. We dropped into a Walmart and bought a display model TomTom for under a hundred bucks. Unfortunately when we plugged it into the cigarette lighter on the dash - we discovered that circuit didn't work. Oh yeah, one of the front headlights didn't work either, not the light, the whole circuit. the right hand light worked fine. We pulled into an auto electricians randomly on a Saturday morning and asked them to have a look. 'Sure' they said. Two hours later, with a working set of headlights and the cigarette lighter also working - we were set. the GPS worked fine right across the US except in the mountains in South Dakota (granite chasms blocking the signal) and downtown Chicago (skyscrapers blocking the satellite signals). Basically, we would use a road map atlas to plan a trip, then plug that into the GPS.

Why you need GPS in LA

Moby did have convenient cigarette packet holders in the dashboard. Sam also tied a cigarette lighter and a bottle opener to the dash, on strings, for ease of access.

Off to Lancaster - a view over the bonnet.

California desert is beautiful

Some people are diva's

With the back seat folded down, plenty of room for engines, trans etc

There was an amazing amount of room in the back. On this trip we loaded it up with 8 engines, all 351 Clevelands, 5 litre Windsors and one Chev that the guy threw in as part of the deal. They all got shipped back to Oz.

A few days later as the truck was on its way to the shipping agents yard with another load, tail dragging, we were pulled over by a genuine CHIPS motorcycle police woman who didn't believe that we could drive in the US on Australian licences and wanted to know if we had receipts for all the engines in the back and paperwork from California's DMV for each one etc. Glenn, famed for his Sir Les Patterson style approach to diplomacy managed to talk her around from any foolishness like impounding the lot... and we were on our way again.

After a few weeks I dropped Sam and Glenn off at LAX and headed off on my road trip. I was heading first to Colorado to catch up with my mate Ric and went via Las Vegas. I snapped this shot of the odometer as I was heading out of Las Vegas, I was trying to see how fast I could get the truck to go, as it was now free of engines in the back and there was no other trafic on the highway. Heading into the Rockies out of Nevada was the first time I'd been on my own since I arrived a few weeks earlier. I managed to just crack 85 MPH. Disappointing for a 350 cube V8. The odometer shows 46826 miles, but we had already put at least a thousand miles on it by then. Considering the state of the truck, I reckon this clock has been around a few times.

This plate was on the truck when we bought it. No one ever took it off. It really had no registration, just a permit from Californias DMV taped to the bottom corner of the window (also visible). I bought a few chrome letters from Pep Boys and stuck them on Moby's bonnet.

I got pulled over by a highway patrol car in Arizona a few months later and apparently I cant drive across the United States and back without a valid numberplate on the car, at least not in Arizona. I was told to take care of it as soon as I arrived back in California. I assured the patrolman I would. I did tell Glenn about this the next time I saw him, and regard my word as having been kept.

I arrived at Rics in Denver and we began preparing for our road trip - Denver to the Little Big Horn, via Mt Rushmore and Deadwood in South Dakota and back. Sam had tied a bottle opener to the dash board and there were still beer bottle caps littered on the floor. Ric wanted to know where the cup holders were... cup holders ? Another trip to Pep Boys, two tec screws later and Moby had two cup holders on its dash. Is that a cruising setup or what! The bench seat was surprisingly comfortable, I assure you.

So everything is trouble free, Ric and I finish our road trip, I set off for Chicago and then down to New York for a few weeks. I throw a fan belt in Illinois, but trust me - finding a fan belt for a 350 Chev in the states is easy. I leave Moby in the JFK long term carpark for that time, and then the day I pick it up to head for Washington and then Tennessee, I lose steering in traffic in Brooklyn! Fortunately it was peak hour and I was doing perhaps 5 mph at the time, not barreling through the Rockies at 85 mph! I manage to pull over to the kerb and get under and have a look. The sway bar has popped out, the coil has popped out. I cant fix that with the tools I have. Good thing I have a mobile phone.

I call 'Emergency' but since I don't have a US ADDRESS Credit card, they cant help me. I call directory, ask for a Brooklyn based towing company. Sure they can help. I get a tow to a Brooklyn garage and chat to the owner about repair options and costs. I get a motel room in a fleapit notell motel near Coney Island and spend the next day walking around Brooklyn while they fix the truck (mainly waiting for parts). I then head off for Tennessee, deciding to skip Washington since the budget for that leg had been blown on truck repairs.

Moby makes it to Tennessee fine. Thats Genes Ford Explorer that he had when he was in Alice Springs and it still has its NT number plates on it (and its Tennessee plates). I've been to every continent except the Antartcic and still say that Tennessee is the most beautiful place on earth.

After a few days with Genes excellent hospitality, I headed off for Memphis. I set the GPS to Soulsville USA - Stax studios. Memphis rocks! After leaving Memphis I joined up with the old Route 66, roughly paralleling the current I40 and headed back to Los Angeles.

Oh yeah, Moby caught fire at one point. The engine was running oddly and felt 'restrained' I stopped and looked and figured it was shitty fuel, and continued on. As I headed into Arizona all of a sudden smoke poured out from under the bonnet. Thats never a good sign. I pulled over and popped the bonnet. I could see the belt running to the AC compressor had just melted away and friction had then caused a fire. I grabbed a screwdriver and lifted the smoking flaming fan belt out carefully dripping molten flaming rubber all over the place - and dropped it away from the truck. The little molten puddles gradually went out. Phew. I forgot to take a photo.

It was hot - July - and in the desert. I sat down and had a drink and decided to take a break and contemplate my options. While I was waiting an old Indian bloke stopped in his truck and asked if I was Ok, We chatted for awhile and he said he could go and get his tow trailer and tow me into the nearest town if I couldn't get started again. It was a generous offer. I looked at the engine and figured out that now that the AC fanbelt was gone, that was what was causing the engine problems in the first place and it should be Ok. It fired up first go. I was right. Damn AC never worked anyway! I said goodbye to the Indian fellow and was back on my way.

This is the last photo of Moby that I have, I took it at the Beach Boys memorial in Hawthorne, Los Angeles the day I left LA for Oz. The Beach Boys grew up right there, but the house was demolished for a highway (that built up thing in the background) in the 70's.

I dropped the truck off at a yard in Carson, Los Angeles. Glenn had an arrangement with the yard owner and it was OK to store it there. I took this photo of the odometer - now showing 53918 miles - and then put the keys, the GPS and the mobile phone in a plastic bag under the front seat - and caught a cab to LAX.

Moby lived on for at least a year and was still used by Glenn and Sam when they visited LA. Sadly, it was replaced by a newer bigger Chev dual cab utility that can tow larger trailers. I reckon they just wanted air conditioning.

HSV Canberra Owners Club Show'n'Shine - Oct 29 2011

2011-11-28T06:00:00.000-05:00

On a very rainy and cold Saturday morning I drove over to Gerald Slaven Holden in Belconnen and had a look at the Canberra HSV Owners display of Holden Dealers Team (HDT) and Holden Special vehicles (HSV) cars. It was a very impressive car show.

Earliest car on display, a VH SS

Group A 'SS' Homologation special. Known by most as the 'Blue Meanie'

Nice addition to ones car

VK Director - my favourite car of the day

Nice paint job - I think two tone paint out of the factory will make a comeback in the near future, I've seen a few customs with two tone paint recently.

VL 'SS' Group A Homologation special

HSV 'SV99'

Scarce factory HSV wagon

Replica sadly, but looks the goods. Sounds terriffic!

HSV VT

If you dont have enough V8 power, add a supercharger...

Gerald Slaven Holden is the Canberra HSV dealer, and they obviously see the value in this annual event. It helps build good brand awareness.

Maloo VX

Only Monaro on the day - an HSV GTO

VE HSV

VY HSV

Lots of gazing into engine bays

HSV E-Series 2nd gen

HSV E-Series 3rd gen

HSV Senator

If you own any of the cars pictured here, and want to add more info on the car - leave a comment and I will update the post.

And after sorting through my photos I decided to finish off with a few badge shots.

Original Honda Insight

Queanbeyan Swap Meet - All Ford and All Holden Day 2011

Queanbeyan 2011 Swap meet - American Car Show

2011-11-27T06:38:00.000-05:00

As a two day swap meet, the Queanbeyan Swap Meet is a real commitment for the car enthusiast. In my last post I covered day one. This post is of day two - and the cars featured on the main oval are the American Cars. Naturally, many are the same cars that turned up on Saturday, but many US car owners make the trip just for the sunday American Car show. Its also an opportunity to pick up car parts at a better price than yesterday, if you are inclined to haggle (I am).

XH Ford Falcon ute

Sedan trim on ths lovely lavender FC Utility

South African trim on this Holden ute (sold as Chevrolet in SA)

XF Ford Falcon utility with some nice subtle modifications

FJ Holden utility

EK Holden utility

Steve the Trax man - with an excellent selection

HD Holden utility. I dont think that bullbar goes with that ute.

I am always amazed at the range of car related books and paraphernalia you find at this event. A Corvair manual ?

You dont see too many sidecars these days.

Nice lineup of Mustangs on the oval

56 Ford F-100

...with an LP Gas tank concealed in the tray.

Very nice Buick straight 8

purple is a popular Mopar colour...

lots of work in this very nice 39 Ford

Beautiful paint on this 'vette

this car drove itself home...

clean Gemini van

HR Holden panel van

I dont know why this Pontiac GTO has a Dodge badge on the front and RT 440 plates.

Queanbeyan 2011 - Swap meet, All Ford and All Holden day

2011-11-03T00:13:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago I went over to Queanbeyan for its annual two day Swapmeet and car show. Now normally its the All Ford Day on the Saturday and the American Car show on the Sunday. This year the promoter had the All Ford Day AND All GM Day on the Saturday....

Parked the P76 and headed onto the oval, rows and rows of nice old cars. This red Mustang caught my eye - it has diplomatic plates and lambo style doors.

Nice black Mustang

Only a few T-Birds this year, such a nice shape.

Nice blue paint, car sounded impressive.

Not sure if this is a genuine Sprint or not, the Sprint was a proto-Mustang with a 289 V8 under the hood.

I really like this car. reverse hood scoop, air dam, V8 prob a 390. This would be a great highway cruiser.

This car on the other hand... Thats a mighty impressive blower setup. only makes 759.8 horsepower though...

Sole XA-B-C Coupe. Very straight XC

I dont know if this is a factory or custom sports version of the Ford van. Im curious t know what mods have been performed to the engine and running gear.

Is this woody sweet or what! 49 Ford two door wagon. One of my favourite cars on the day.

Always a nice selection of the luxo-barge Fords.

One of a handful of English Fords. Its sad that this par of our motoring history isn't valued as much as the American side. Plenty of US Fords are imported - very few UK Fords are imported or restored.

Australia only Ford Mainline ute.

GTS Monaro

Black steel bumper 'vette

The Corvair is an interesting vehicle. The US response to the Volkswagen.

Theres a flat six packed in there. A little more complex than a Volksie engine.

Nice HD with a much later 80's era EFI system grafted to the red motor.

Black Firebird - still bearing the garish hood Eagle

I always have a soft spot for cars with flames. Nice old EK Holden

AMC Rambler Rebel. Very clean and original.

I always enjoy the swap meet side, plenty of old sheds are emptied out and parts migrate from one to another. If you needed a rusty generator - this is the place to look.

Thats how to camp. Want to be careful getting up at 4 AM for a pee though, that first step is a doozie.

Plenty of interesting cars scattered among the swap meet vendors. This EH Panelvan caught my eye.

Louvres masterfully punched into this EK Ute bonnet.

$5500 bucks and this old FX is yours. It looked to be all there, but very rough.

Ive seen this old Sunbeam motorbike at a few local swapmeets recently. The owner wants $3500 for it.

Honda Insight

2011-11-01T07:30:00.000-05:00

In the last year I have been fortunate to cross two cars off my personal 'must see in the flesh' list. The first was at last years American Car Show when I saw Plymouth Roadrunner Superbird up close, and on the weekend I saw a first generation Honda Insight - in the local shopping centre carpark!

To say this car is rare would be an understatement. There are only two first generation Honda Insights on Canberra roads. Lets put this into perspective - there are more Phase 3 GTHO's in Canberra than Insights.

Outside of car shows I dont often get the chance to chat to owners of odd cars I see on the street. While i was shooting photos, the owner of the car approached me with a bag of groceries under her arm. She seemed pleased that someone was interested in her car and we had a brief chat.

'Fran' has owned the car since new, and has done around 180,000 kilometers in it. The longest trip she has undertaken in the Insight was a trip to the coast and back. That trip cost her $6 in fuel.

She loves her car, and was fascinated with the technology and the idea of owning a hybrid car. When she heard that Honda were selling them she started to make inquiries. New, the car was $36,000 dollars - but once dealers figured out she was serious - and could pay cash - they got into a downward bidding war. Fran ended up paying only $23,000 for the car - delivered to her door.

Hybrid cars are at an interesting point on the evolutionary scale. The early adopters are paying about triple the cost of the equivalent size small car, and are acing as a testbed for a whole raft of cutting edge technologies. While I dont think they are going to suddenly dislodge conventional petrol powered cars, they are slowly increasing their numbers - and influence. I hope that small pieces of history like this first generation Honda Insight are preserved, and the best way to reserve a car is to keep it running as a daily driver, well maintained and cared for.

The Queen is pro-public transport

2011-10-19T03:34:00.001-05:00

The Queen is visiting Australia and its not just Airforce Q and Rolls Royces for the Royal Couple. According to 'The Age', the Queen will take a ride in a 'Royal Tram'.

The royal couple will begin their "Meet the People" walk at 12.30pm from the National Gallery of Victoria through to Federation Square.

They will then have the chance to experience Melbourne's famous trams, boarding a "royal tram" which will take them along Swanston Street to Government House Drive.

"Melburnians have always been proud of our tram network and the Queen's tram ride in Melbourne will add to its rich history," Mr Baillieu said.

~~Im curious to know what type of tram will be used - an iconic W class ? the Bumblebee ? a low-floor Siemens ?~~

The Royal Tram

Im told that the reason that a Z Class tram was selected was that it has a centre rail on the stairs, for the Queen (who is in her 80's) to hold as she boarded. Low floor Siemens trams, do not have this. She seemed to enjoy her ride.

Canberra Electric Vehicle Festival 2011

2011-10-18T15:22:00.000-05:00

This year I attended my third Canberra Electric Vehicle Festival, and I must say I am impressed not only with the evolution of commercial electric vehicles, but also the professionalism of the festival. I could only spend an hour at this years show, as I wanted to attend the Queanbeyan American Car Show, held the same day. So this photo essay is shorter than previous years reports (see 2009 here and 2010 here).

It was great to see that the number of commercially available electric and hybrid vehicles is increasing each year. There are still many homebuilt electric cars, built by incredibly talented and inventive individuals, but it is clear that hybrid and electric vehicles are going mainstream. Electric assisted bicycles are also quite popular, and there were many different models of these on show this year.

Lets begin our wander around the 2011 Canberra International Electric Vehicle Festival, beginning with a small display of homebuilt electric cars and light trucks.

Ford light truck, with the battery array cleverly hidden under the tray - no effect on load carrying capacity.

Volkswagen with owner added electric engine

Toyota light truck. Not as clever as the Ford, but still lots of usable space. many tradies have boxes this size on their trays.

I think this is a Daewoo. Battery array under back seat and using up space behind front seat.

A Volkswagen and an unidentified service vehicle. I'd love to go for a spin down the Tuggeranong Parkway in this thing. Im not sure how stable it would be at 100kmh.

Electric vehicles need to get the power from somewhere. There were several battery vendors and battery technology displays. This technology is getting better and better every year, driven primarily by the mobile phone industry. As batteries become smaller and more powerful, they are also lighter and cheaper. this is good news for the electric vehicle industry.

There is also a strong focus on the recyclable nature of the batteries. It seems that those committed to the EV technology are also as committed to recycling and proper disposal of some nasty chemicals associated with the batteries.

Toyota Camry Hybrid

Toyota Echo (I think)

Toyota dealers were there - its good to see this sort of support. This vehicle is manufactured in Australia.

Chargepoint were demonstrating their 'charging solution' which i think means 'plug'. Seriously, this is the big challenge with EV's. The industry needs a common standard for charging points, and it needs to be adopted by all EV manufacturers. It's one of the reason petrol cars took off 100 years ago - it is a common fuel, readily available.

Of course, there is a competitor. Curve or is it Curve Tomorrow ? Lots of motherhood green terminology in the EV field.

I did like this approach - using ones own solar array to power ones EV.

The Nissan Leaf. I like its plug position.

The inevitable plug for the Nissan Leaf

Last year there was a Tesla that was privately owned on show. This year Tesla the company had a stand, there were also several teslas on hand for people to test ride (not test drive). Interest was high and Tesla brochures and stickers were hoovered up by 40 year old EV enthusiasts. Although Tesla are working on a four door sedan, they only had their sports car available at this years EV festival.

Also note that the Tesla is registered - last year they did not satisfy ADR's and were unable to be registered. Regulations have been altered in the intervening period.

Mitsubishi MIEV

Surprisingly roomy for such a small car. I do note that japanese Kei cars are often taller than other small cars. Im 6ft 4' and built like a brick outhouse, so headroom and shoulder room is important to me.

Yet another plug. I sure hope they reach a standard plug type soon.

Better Place were at the EV Festival again. They are flogging a proprietary technology with removable battery packs as the main feature. Im not sure if this MIEV has that technology, or if its just a regular MIEV.

Better Place have received some media coverage in Canberra with an agreement between the ACT Government, ACTEWAGL and the ACT Government on providing electric recharging stations around Canberra. Im not sure if this means they have moved their business model away from the proprietary quick removable battery packs, to regular electric vehicle recharge stations. Time will tell.

Better Places version of an EV plug

ActewAGL are a Canberra based power company. Naturally an electricity company is keen to see more people adopt electric powered vehicles.

The good old Toyota Prius

At last - a hot rodded Toyota prius! This company remove the combustion engine and enhance the electrics. They modify the engine and add more batteries! More power! This would be an ideal conversion for a Canberra based Prius owner.

A boat is a vehicle...

These cars were all available for people to have a ride in, on a small controlled track. The Teslas were very popular.

The electric motorcycles were intriguing. According to one owner, they are better than combustion powered motorcycles, especially on the dirt. They stop as soon as they fall over, they dont leak fuel or flood when at weird angles. Drop it and you can just pick it up and go, no kick start. Less moving parts than a combustion powered bike is also less to go wrong.

Electric powered recumbent bicycle. Just wrong.

Electric bicycles and scooters are also increasing in availability from commercial vendors. Far fewer home built electric bicycles than previous years. If they are available off the shelf its easier than building one.

See also:

2009 Electric Vehicle Festival

2010 Electric Vehicle Festival

Bus-ness as usual: draft 'Transport for Canberra' policy released

2011-10-18T13:32:00.000-05:00

Last week the ACT Government released its draft ‘Transport for Canberra’ policy plan and it is underwhelming. The ACT Government is pursuing a medium to high density housing strategy, and using the ‘public transport, ‘transit route’ etc reasoning to justify it. The policy has no funding models attached to it and states several times that buses are the future for Canberra’s public transport. Where light rail is mentioned, it is scant, and promises a ‘study’. Not once is the Infrastructure Australia bid for light rail funding from only two years ago mentioned.

The draft policy plan discusses openly the aim that medium and high density housing will be built along ‘transit corridors’ which means bus routes. By encouraging medium and high density housing, without providing the proper public transport to support it, Canberra will experience all the disadvantages of high density housing, and none of the advantages.

Aiming low and redefining success

Sadly, the draft transport policy, which is meant to guide ACT transport planning until 2031, aims low. The percentage of people the ACT government predict will use public transport in 2031 is 16%. Up from what they claim is 9% right now. That’s an amazingly low target. By failing to deliver a world class mass transit system in the form of light rail, our government is content to allow Canberra to continue as a car-centric, increasingly congested city. Our nations capital deserves better.

On page 22 of the draft policy they say:

“The government has committed to increasing the public transport share of all work trips to 9 per cent by 2011, 12 percent by 2016, and 16 per cent by 2026”

By focussing on ‘work trips’ this allows the policy makers to ignore the following members of our society: school children, the aged, stay at home parents using public transport during the day and others. This tricky language doesn’t fool anyone. Public transport is not just satisfying peak hour commuting, it is a social obligation.

Page 6 of the draft policy has an interesting graph. The ACT Government forecast that in 2026 there will be 277,000 jobs – and that only 80,000 of these workers will choose public and active transport.

In the draft policy plan, they also see ‘active transport’ (walking and cycling) growing to 14%. The Canberra Times reports:

Minister for the Environment Simon Corbell launched the plan yesterday at Belconnen bus interchange, saying he wanted 30 per cent of Canberra journeys to work to be taken by sustainable transport, foot, bicycle or public transport, by 2026.

In the draft policy a table supporting this aim appears on page 54:

By aiming this low, it means that in 2031, our half million residents of a compact city of high density housing will still see 70 people in every 100 driving to work. As our population is expected to rise from 330,000 in 2011, that is not less reliance on cars, that is MORE cars. Very sustainable.

Minister Corbell also redefines success, and promises less services for people in Canberra’s suburbs. It is accepted wisdom among transport planners that to increase patronage you must offer frequent, reliable and attractive public transport. What does Minister Corbell announce:

'There will be a frequency of 15 minutes or less on the rapid and frequent service corridors, new guarantees about how long people have to wait to interchange.''

The plan calls for ''coverage'' service that feeds into the ''frequent network'' and ensures every home would be within 500m of a service of at least 60-minute frequency, putting a regular bus route within a short walk of every home in Canberra.

Yes, people waiting for a bus in Amaroo to connect them to a 15 minute service will have to wait up to an hour for a local service.

Simply put – a once an hour bus service will not attract commuters to public transport.

By contrast, ACT Light Rail propose building light rail as a mass transit backbone and increasing local service frequency for buses connecting to local transport nodes (such as park and rides) to a 20 minute frequency.

The same Canberra Times article also discusses light rail:

He said that a ''business as usual approach'' to Canberra's transport mix would result in a doubling of congestion on the city's roads by 2031 and pledged to continue to study the possibility of light rail on major road corridors.

Yet another study into light rail

Yes, what Canberra needs is yet another study into light rail. This study comes less than two years after the ACT Governments submission to Infrastructure Australia asking for federal funding for light rail. The light rail bid that was at that time the leading bid. Where the Chief Ministers media release stated 'Stanhope lists light rail as ACT Priority for Commonwealth infrastructure funding'.

The only bid from that exercise that our local politicians pursued with any vigour was the bid for more road funding to build Majura parkway.

As the new study will show, light rail has several advantages over buses including higher passenger capacity per vehicle (and driver), lower cost over total life, greater passenger comfort, reduced journey times (over buses on roads), less energy per passenger kilometre and provides investment certainty along transport corridors because of infrastructure commitment. In addition, light rail improves property values, and increases rental and retail income. These factors appeal to property developers who have demonstrated globally their willingness to invest in Transit Oriented Development along light rail routes.

Bus-ness as usual

It is crystal clear from reading this draft ‘Transport for Canberra’ policy that this government sees Canberra’s transport future as cars and buses. It is ‘Bus-ness as usual’. This does not come as a surprise. By pursuing this bus-only public transport strategy, the public transport patronage figure will only rise by a small amount. If the ACT Government truly want to bring about a medium to high density ‘compact city’, they need to plan proper mass transit using light rail, and then encourage Transit Oriented Development. Not only will the proposed bus only plan fail to deliver transit oriented development, it will fail to attract increased patronage.

ACTION buses are being asked to do two things – act as a mass transit intertown service using limited capacity buses (requiring more and more of them) and serve as a local area coverage feeding the intertown services.

ACT Light Rail suggests that light rail provide the mass transit backbone, and ACTIONs fleet is retasked to provide a higher frequency local area service. This makes best use of the advantages of both transport technologies. The greater carrying capacity and higher speed of light rail, and the flexibility of buses to serve new areas and routes and pass within 500 metres of resident’s homes.

Although it may appear that light rail is dealt with casually in this new transport policy, at least it is being discussed. Compared to the 2004 Sustainable Transport Plan – which claimed buses could deliver all the benefits of light rail – this Transport Plan now discusses light rail. ACT Light Rail would like to take some credit for that, but we aren’t the only group that have been telling the ACT Government that buses, and continued reliance upon them for mass transit – wont work. It is a message that the general public has delivered, through numerous polls, and also at the Time to Talk exercise.

It was obvious at the ‘Time to talk’ public consultation sessions that the public are aware that light rail is required. That process was very focussed on planting a meme that medium and high density was OK, and that we needed to convince people to believe that. ACT Light Rail do not have a position on urban densities, but light rail will provide a true magnet for transit oriented development. This is something the government talks up, but will find that it can’t attract by relying on bus routes.

Why light rail can deliver TOD and buses cannot

Fixed rails bring investment. This is proved time and time again especially in US based urban renewal where light rail has been introduced. The only transit oriented development that bus rapid transit brings is at the site of the actual bus stations. It does not lead to transit oriented development along the bus routes.

It is positive that the Draft report talks about light rail in several places, it shows that the ACT Government now realise the benefits that light rail can deliver - although they still talk up bus rapid transit (BRT). Take page 27, section 2.4 for example:

The 2031 network has been designed for the current bus-based fleet, but will be adaptable to and supportive of mass public transport technology like light rail, bus rapid transit, monorails or other technology. To help plan for mass public transport, we will focus on defining the Frequent Network in policy and planning so other city-building activities can respond to it.

Its clear from reading the entire document that buses are the ONLY mode this government are planning on. By mentioning monorails it really cheapens the credibility of the document. The authors would be well aware that there are no monorail systems anywhere in the world, or even any in planning, that are used as mass transit public transport systems.

Where is the vision?

Overall it is disappointing that the report, while very densely stocked with positive goals and aspirational objectives, lacks a clear vision (focussing solely on the public transport aspect). Active transport is a great thing to encourage but there are several problems with it. In winter cycling rates plummet, and by closing local schools and centralising super schools, the opportunity for children to walk or ride to school declines, and the requirement for parents to drop kids off to school, and then drive to work increases.

The increased residential density in the Inner north is also leading to a rising rate in ‘active transport’ i.e. – walking, not through any ACT Government policy, but because it is putting homes closer to peoples workplaces.

Just as this years Infrastructure Plan didn’t really have any single vision for public transport, this plan is the same. Piecemeal bus priority lanes added to roads which surge with traffic from new developments in Molonglo will continue for the life of this plan. A suspicious person could think that this is really more road spending hidden as bus transit way spending – although there are no funding figures associated with the report at all.

What the plan also fails to understand is that for a true shift to public transport there needs to be a modal shift. Buses will not provide the shift. The graph on P.62 of the draft policy would have us believe that there will be 16% of people using PT in 2026! That’s an amazingly low target. Why is it low? Because the ACT Government knows that by continuing to rely on buses, PT patronage will not grow.

How can the ACT Government increase public transport patronage and grow our city in a sustainable way?

If the ACT Government provided a proper public transport system using a mass transit technology like light rail as its backbone, the percentage of workers or other residents would rise above 20%. It would then continue to rise as transit oriented development grew along the light rail routes, feeding more commuters into the system and establishing public transport use as an ingrained value. By providing a viable alternative to the private car, many families could shift from being two car families to single car families – saving an estimated $10,000 a year (NRMA figure). Active transport would also grow as people are able to more easily take bicycles on light rail vehicles, and will be more open to walking.

No money for public transport infrastructure

The draft policy plan also fails to commit to any real public transport infrastructure funding. After a sell off of buses in 2006, the government has been rebuilding the bus fleet and building piecemeal bus lanes on existing road – these bus lanes are referred to by this government as ‘transit ways’.

In a 'Bus News' article , the Minister was quoted as saying:

“The policy provides options that support growth of the ACT economy by creating a safer, more efficient and more sustainable transport system, with ring road options for cars and freight, and public transport corridors for people,” he says.

"The ACT Government has already invested more than $1 billion in the transport system in the past 10 years, with over $120m committed in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 Budgets to roll out Transport for Canberra projects.”

Sadly this money is not going to build an initial light rail route in the ACT, or even bus rapid transit. It is the normal ongoing spending associated with the ACTION fleet, and incremental bus lanes. And of course more roads.

Conclusions from the draft policy

Although the draft ‘Transport for Canberra’ policy plan is underwhelming in its vision and aims, it does contain some positive aspects. Light rail is at last discussed positively in a strategic policy plan coming out of the ACT bureaucracy. The ACT also desperately needs a clear plan for its existing bus network.

One should not dismiss the tremendous amount of progress that has been made in recent years – especially with the introduction of the Red and Blue Rapid and Expresso bus services. These are good examples of smart transport planning. It is hoped that they lead to an increase over the longer term of bus patronage.

“IF” the public transport trip percentage hits 16% that would be the best argument for light rail – as ACTIONs fleet will be bursting at the seams. It is already at capacity on some routes. Buses out of Gungahlin in 2011 are so crowded during peaks that they have to drive past commuters waiting at stops.

“If “the 16% target were achieved, this would mean that the ACTION fleet would have to double. That is twice the amount of drivers and twice the amount of buses, mainly to serve the peaks. It is more logical to build light rail – and use the increased passenger carrying capacity and decreased staffing, that would bring. The highest cost of public transport (after infrastructure provision) is ongoing staffing.

So to sum up:

Positives:

Report actually discusses light rail as an alternative to bus rapid transit
Has a plan to expand the bus network (although I’m doubtful it will actually increase patronage)

Negatives:

Heavy on motherhood statements
Light on empirical data to allow us to reach our own conclusions
Yet another ‘light rail study’
Sets low goals.
No clear vision.
No plan to provide a proper mass transit system (even BRT)
No mention of funding (doubling the number of buses and bus drivers wont be cheap).
ACT Government see Canberra’s transport future as cars and buses.
Guarantees a continuing car culture.
Will see more road congestion.

ACT Light Rail will be putting in a submission on the draft ‘Transport for Canberra’ policy plan. We welcome your feedback. Our submission will be lodged before the November 11 date, so any input must be received at least a week prior to that closing date.

ACTION - by Royal Appointment.

2011-10-18T08:39:00.000-05:00

HRH Prince Charles

I was at the RATEC clubhouse some months ago and came across this interesting photo. As the young fellows mother is visiting Canberra this week, I thought I would post it.

I'd really like to know which bus he rode on. That would be a bus for ACTION to preserve (if it hasn't already gone to the crusher). Sadly, I don't even know the date that the photo was taken. It looks like the 70's though. He is wearing a hard hat, so it could even be a depot tour.

If anyone can supply more information (or photos) please leave a comment or contact me.