Articles by Mark Hinchliffe

Don't take our word for it; just ask psychologist Lindsay Trims, 46, who's put his money where his mouth is and bought his own teen fantasy, a '74 four-door HJ Monaro GTS four-door sedan. "It makes me feel I'm alive," he says. "As a psychologist I have seen a number of people go through a midlife crisis and didn't think I would go through one myself," he says. "My wife told me I needed a hobby and having this car is allowing me to re-live that critical part of our lives which I believe is around that 18- to 22-year-old period. It's the sound of a classic V8 with the lumpy cam that takes you back. "I was looking for a suitable (Ford Falcon) XA or XB GT, or (Holden) HQ or HJ because when I was 17 they were the cars we admired. I wanted something pre-emission controls because they started mellowing them down and reducing horsepower." Trim's HQ hasn't mellowed. Quit the opposite. A previous owner fitted it with a 308 (5-litre) blueprinted V8, but Trim also has the matching-number 253 (4.2-litre) V8 stored away. Except for a new audio system, the rest of the car is in original mint condition and has been garaged for the past four or five years, lovingly looked after by a mechanic. It even came with the original papers. "It had just 74,000 kays on the clock, but then the odo doesn't go to six figures, so it could have already been around once,' he says. "But it's never let me down yet and starts every time." Trim bought it for $5098 six months ago and reckons it's worth $25,000 or more with the original motor, but he has no plans of selling. In fact, he's thinking of getting that Falcon down the track. Meanwhile, the HQ is his daily driver, using it to commute and do the school run with his daughters, Maya, 11, and Millicent, 6. "Milli's embarrassed to be seen in it because it's an old car and hasn't got AC as good as modern cars," he says. "She hasn't worked out it's a `cool' car yet, but in five years' time she will probably ask me to take her to the formal in it." Most Monaro aficionados frown on the four-door HQ and HJ models as "not real Monaros", but Trims doesn't care. "I like the look and the style and it's more practical with a family," he says. "It's also rarer. "When you drive it you really know you are driving it; at 60 kays it feels like you are doing 110. The only time you know you are in a '74 car is in the wet when it doesn't pull up too well." Trim's advice to you, the reader, is to "find the balance" in your life, "be a bit selfish" and buy your teen-dream car. "I counsel people with issues of depression, anxiety and grief and I ask them what they want out of life and what's stopping them," he says. "If it's money, then get something a bit cheaper. I probably have taken this passion too far; the car even has a Facebook page, 'Merv Monaro' that keeps friends up to date. "But I'm living the dream and that can't be a bad thing." HJ Monaro GTS Year:1974 Price: $5098 Price Now: $25,000 Engine: 5-litre V8 Body: four-door sedan Transmission: 4-speed manual Did you know: Holden built 4754 HQ Monaros and about 1000 were coupes. Got a special car you'd like featured in Carsguide? Modern or classic we're interested in hearing your story. Please send a pic and brief info to mark.hinchliffe@carsguide.com.au

When Italian manufacturer MV Agusta releases its F3 model this year, the 675cc three-cylinder F3 will be the first middle weight sportsbike with ride-by-wire engine controls including four pre-set maps and one map with traction control that can be selected between eight different levels. The F3 675 will be available in three different colour schemes (red/silver, pearl white with red frame and black/metallic with red frame), for $17,990 ride away. It is scheduled for production in January with Australian delivery in May. A limited edition F3 675 Serie Oro arrives in March for $33,800 ride away. The Oro (gold in Italian) will be limited to 200 bikes worldwide and features gold finish in the frame plates, single-sided swingarm, forged aluminium wheels, air intakes, cooling vents, DID gold chain and gold individually numbered plate on the upper triple clamp. It also has an abundance of lightweight carbonfibre in the mudguards, dashboard cover, airbox and intake covers, fairing inserts, chain guards, swingarm protector, sprocket cover, fairing lower, and exhaust outlets. Attention to detail includes machine-polished clutch cover and frame plates, and solid-billet alternator cover and footpeg mounting brackets allowing full adjustability, while the seat covers are hand-made from leather and suede-effect alcantara. Oro comes with Ohlins upside-down forks, and TTX shock and steering damper plus Brmebo brakes, while the standard model has adjustable Marzocchi 43mm forks, Sachs piggy-back rear shock and Nissin/Brembo brakes. The Varese-based manufacturer claims the three-cylinder engine has a counter-rotating crankshaft previously only available on MotoGP motorcycles to improve balance and nimble handling. It has a high-revving, oversquare triple capable of 94kW of power at 14,500rpm and 71Nm of torque at 10,600rpm, with a 15,000rpm limit. The 260km/h F3 also features launch control for quick starts and electronically assisted shift for fast gear changes without having to close the throttle or use the clutch. As with all previous MVs, the frame is a mix of steel tubing and aluminium side plates. Mv Agusta claims it is the most compact mid-sized sportsbike, the lightest at 173kg with the shortest wheelbase of 1380mm. Prices of all MV models have come down since new importer, MV Agusta Imports, took over in 2010. Manager Kevin Beale says they have been able to negotiate better prices than the previous importer. "MV Agusta is very keen to get back into Australia having lost the previous distributor," he says. "We told them what would need to be done to get a worthwhile market share and they made the decision to go ahead with our proposal. The bikes will be cheaper, but we have promised them more volume as a trade-off. There's been an excellent response to the cheaper prices. We were expecting some reluctance with the change in distributor but people seem to be able to cope with that." Beale says they will honour warranties on existing models after the previous importer the Paul Feeney Group relinquished MV Agusta and Cagiva in July 2010. MV Agusta F3 Prices: $17,990 (F3), $33,800 (Oro) Engine: 675cc, 12-valve 3-cylinder, 94kW/71Nm Transmission: 6-speed, constant mesh Dimensions: 2060mm (L), 725mm (W), 805 (Seat), 1380mm (WB), 125mm (Clearance) Dry weight: 173kg Fuel tank: 16 litres Brakes: 320mm discs (front), 220mm disc (rear) Tyres: 120/70 - ZR17 (front), 180/55 - ZR17.

THERE is no point getting all nostalgic about the Z series of Kawasakis. The 1970s Kwakas featured in films such as Mad Max and Stone, but the current Z1000 is as far from those films as Tron (the 2010 version). The Z series returned in 2003 but in 2012 the Z1000 is a thoroughly modern-looking, hi-tech bike with ABS as standard. VALUE In 2003, a Z1000 cost $15,490 and you can still buy them privately for just under $10,000 which is good retained value. That's surprising, as today, you can buy one for $16,499, just $1000 more and it includes a much more efficient and powerful engine plus ABS.  It is a bit more expensive than the Japanese "naked" opposition and not far behind a Ducati Monster, but much cheaper than the KTMs. The 6000km service interval is a bit short, even by bike standards.  TECHNOLOGY The engine capacity was increased to 1043cc for 2010 and now there is more power and torque in the mid-range. Its air intake are not only stylish, but effective, providing more power with an insane intake howl at high revs, but quiet at low revs.  The digital instrument panel includes digital speedometer, bar-style digital tachometer, odometer, two trip meters, fuel gauge and clock. It can also be moved forward or back with the adjuster on the left hand side so it is ideally set up for any sized rider.  DESIGN  While the Z1000 today looks nothing like the old Z models used in the 1974 cult Australian bikie movie, Stone, Kawasaki may be missing an opportunity here for a more traditional looking bike. Triumph, Ducati and Moto-Guzzi have traded well on their heritage, so there is no reason why Kawasaki can't do the same with the Z bike. Honda has done a good job with its CB1100 and Kawasaki has also had a good go with its W800, but this model is crying out for a retro variant. However, there is nothing wrong with the look of the Z1000. It's lost that silly "helmet" on top of the headlight and is now a sleek-looking machine from every angle with stubby four-pot exhausts and angular features.  While some naked bikes look messy around the engine this is neat with only a couple of bits of plumbing visible on the right side. In the new burnt-orange-and-black colour scheme the bike is simply stunning.  Central to the Z look is the four-pot exhaust which is now mounted low with the pre-chamber under the engine for a lower centre of gravity which means more stability and a lighter, flickable feel.  Ergonomics are neutral in the sit-up-and-beg style. The seat is flat, hard and high at 815mm, but it is narrow so most people will be able to get their feet flat on the ground while stationary.  SAFETY  Kawasaki has led the Japanese four with its widespread availability of ABS. The brakes are also powerful with big petal discs, radial-mounted front calipers and a radial pump master cylinder. The rear brakes are bigger than on most bikes, so there is plenty of control for trail-braking through corners.  RIDING  You don't need to spend a half-million dollars on a Ferrari. This bike will put a greater tingle in your trousers with its blistering acceleration and high-revving engine scream. It will hit 100km/h in first gear before you can take a breath. Then it simply takes your breath away as you rocket through the positive-changing gears.  It will go straight up to sixth at 2500rpm doing 60km/h with plenty of roll-on acceleration available. In fact, it's close-ratio gearbox is probably a little too close. At 100km/h it's ticking over 4500rpm and will roll on to go-to-jail speeds in a couple of seconds.  It might weigh 221kg fully fuelled, but it doesn't feel it. Even lifting it off the sidestand, it feels light thanks to the low exhaust and lightweight aluminium chassis. So when you start rolling along, it handles with nimble ease and quick steering.  Accommodation is roomy with a slim-line tank so you can easily grip with your knees. Handling is light and nippy with plenty of adjustment for rider weight front and rear plus rebound damping. On the highway it's stable, but wind blast will make for tiring long rides. Pillion accommodation is a joke. There are grab holes underneath the rear cowl but they are better used for tying down a small rear luggage sack across the back seat.  VERDICT  The Z1000 is a modern interpretation of the Z tradition. It's a competent commuter, a worthy weekend warrior and a track day terror, but touring is out of the question. Kawasaki Z1000 ABS  Price: $16,499 Warranty: 2yr/unlimited km, roadside assist Service: 1000/6000km Engine: 1043cc 4-cylinder, 110Nm Transmission: 6-speed, positive neutral finder, chain drive Fuel tank: 17L Dimensions: 140mm (Clearance), 815mm (Seat) 1440mm (WB) Tyres: 120/70ZR17; 190/50ZR17 Suspension: 41mm inverted forks, monoshock rear Kerb weight: 221kg Colours: burnt orange and black, ebony, metallic black

At the close of 2011, the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV-4 were separated by just 17 sales with Nissan X-Trail in third, just 1000-odd vehicles behind on 12,089. Forester has taken the title for the four years, but Subaru is not the biggest brand in the category with just the one model. That title goes to Nissan with its X-Trail and Dualis selling 21,303, followed by Subaru's Forester and Outback on 18,912 and Mitsubishi's ASX and Outlander on 14,029. The inclusion of XV, targeted at a younger market, should lead to a battle for category dominance between Subaru and Mazda with the CX-5 this year joining the larger CX-7 which sold 9714 in 2011. Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior says the XV will appeal to people who enjoy "expansive lifestyles". "People who are active and enjoy new experiences," he explains. "They don't want to drive a large SUV, instead they demand car like ride and handling, and convenient cutting edge technology, to enable a fast paced adventurous lifestyle with comfort. XV is a clear indicator of what's to come from Subaru in terms of new technology and design, so it's fair to say we're very excited about our future." Compact SUVs account for almost half of all SUV sales and 12 per cent of all new vehicle sales. They increased 5.8 per cent to 121,387 last year while the whole market dropped 2.6 per cent to 1,008,437. This category features a strong line-up of 27 international vehicles with one each from the US, UK, Thailand, France and Germany, two from the Czech republic, three from China, six from South Korea and the rest from Japan.

Yes, by the time you read this, the odometer on Allan Clancey's 1976 Holden Kingswood will have clicked around to six zeros.The odo won't show the "1", but that's one million kilometres or 25 times around the world."When I bought it new in '77, it had just 23km on the clock," he says."I reckon I'll have a glass of red and quietly celebrate when it goes from all 9s to all zeros."The 66-year-old retired geologist and teacher now enjoys fossicking around the outback for gems and has driven his HX Kingswood all over Australia except for Cape York and the north-west coast."You name the place and it's probably been there," he says. "I bought it in June of '77 and we drove it to Perth that Christmas."The car is largely in original condition with wind-down windows for airconditioning, a Brisbane UBD instead of satnav and no anti-lock brakes, airbags, CD player or cruise control.Apart from "four or five" replacement engines, the only modifications have been a five-speed gearbox from a Toyota Supra replacing the three-speed column shift and an LPG conversion."It's very reliable with only a couple of hiccups. I've only had to call the RACQ a couple of times," he says. Clancey bought the car for $5400 and believes he could get up to $10,000 from a car restorer or collector."I reckon I've got my money back many times over," he says. "But why would I want to sell it? It will do me out."I still enjoy driving it and it's cheaper to keep than buying a modern car.  The others can leave me behind at the lights but it's got pretty good pick-up."I can also tow a caravan with it to the gem fields; I still have a claim at Rubyvale. He's also got an auto gem in his garage.H1976 HOLDEN HX KINGSWOODPrice: $5400Engine: 3.3-litre six-cylinderPower: 87kWTransmission: 3-speed manualFuel economy: 11L/100km2012 HOLDEN COMMODORE OMEGAPrice: $39,990Engine: 3-litre V6Power: 190kWTransmission: 6-speed autoFuel economy: 8.9L/100km

They have been drafted into action following the collapse of Maybach. The Maybach brand was brought back from the dead in the late 1990s when Daimler decided it needed an ultra-luxury flagship. It was trying to tap the connection to a name from 1909, when Wilhelm Maybach and his son founded a company that produced ultra-luxury cars. But the decision was flawed from the start, partly because the Maybach was really only a stretched Mercedes-Benz S-Class with extra entertainment in the back, partly because the $1 million-plus pricetags were too high, and partly because Rolls-Royce hit the road at the same time with it's brilliant Phantom. It also didn't help that no-one outside of Germany knew the Maybach name, as the company effectively went out of business after World War II. Now, as Mercedes-Benz admits its mistake, the German maker is planning a different strategoy. The sales and marketing boss at Benz, Joachim Schmidt, tells Carsguide there will be three different S-Class models to fill the space previously occupied by the Maybach 57 and 62 - cars named for their length. "Maybach will continue until 2013 when we bring in the new S-Class. We will have three S-Class variants with the potential to attract Rolls-Royce customers," says Schmidt. But the new lineup will not include a 'grosser' Benz, the name applied in the 1960s to the ultra-luxury S-Class flagship, according to Carsguide sources. There will be long and short-wheelbase cars, but nothing that could qualify as a grosser or landau. Ironically, Schmidt says Maybach sales have improved a little in recent years although that still only means 210 cars in 2011 - and a production total that is only 3000 cars. "At the end of the day we have broken even on the Maybach project," he says.

You don't need the more usual V8 towing vehicle, according to the Queensland builders. Free Spirit Caravans director Elaine Foster says their patented chassis manufacturing process and use of aluminium for chassis, floor and walls has created a tough but lightweight off-road caravan.  The company is based at Caloundra and was established by Foster and caravan builder Ralf Brosch to develop a fuel-saving caravan.  The result is a 1.5 tonne caravan with a ball weight of 125kg. It will make its debut at the annual Queensland Caravan, Camping & Holiday Touring Show in Brisbane from June 8-14.   The Free Spirit is a traditional 6.8m by 2.4m two-berth caravan on the outside, but underneath it has an aluminium, not steel, chassis and floor. The aluminium A-frame is rolled into the chassis, meaning no welds or no weaknesses.  The company has patented the chassis design and has developed a "unique fibreglass walling system" which is going through the examination stage of patenting. "It will surely revolutionise the market," says Foster.  Features of the caravan include two 95-litre water tanks, awning, alloy 16-inch wheels, hot water system, two batteries, solar panels, fridge, TV, sound system, Dometic two-burn gas cooker and rangehood, microwave, leather upholstery, double bed and shower/toilet.  A washing machine and clothes dryer are options. The caravans can come in various different sizes from 16ft to 22ft with prices starting from $78,500.

Car dealer Alec Lowe's 1973 Citroen DS23 Pallas Prestige has come fresh from the paintshop to the showroom floor.The prime late classic has been selected from hundreds of entries to be among 98 displayed at the second annual RACV Motorclassica in Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building from October 21-23."I have even driven it, except to and from the paintshop and the workshop," says Lowe, 62. "It hasn't been seen anywhere before. This is its first time out."Lowe explains that the "Prestige" designation means it is a Special with a wind-up glass partition in the rear. The interior was built by Bugatti coach builders Henri Chapron of Paris for government and diplomatic use.This particular car was specially imported for use by the French ambassador to Australia who sold it to his secretary when he returned to France. She sold it to Lowe in 1995 for $7500."It was in pretty good condition, but we've done a total nut-and-bolt restoration from the ground up," he says. "If it hasn't been reconditioned, it's new."I wouldn't want to know what we've spent on it." It's insured for $50,000, but Lowe says the last Prestige model sold for $90,000 in Paris, unrestored."I'm hoping to take it back to France for a driving holiday and maybe sell it over there," he says. "I might get more for it in a left-hand-drive market."Lowe says he had no problem obtaining parts for the car or working on the front-drive vehicle. Nor should he as he started his career as a Citroen mechanic working with legendary endurance rally driver Jim Reddiex.He navigated for Reddiex in Repco round-Australia rallies in the 1970s and recalls one rally incident where they hit a tree and bent their CX machine into a banana shape, popping the windscreen."It was still driveable because all the mechanicals are up front, so we drove to the next stop holding the windscreen in place with our hands," he says. Lowe says the DS model was an innovative car when introduced in 1955 with a number of firsts throughout its model life, ending in 1975, including swivelling headlights that turn with the steering wheel."That's only been re-introduced in luxury models in the past decade and they don't turn as much as these. They almost go at right angles," he says.Other innovations included power disc brakes, hydropneumatic auto-leveling suspension with auto-leveling headlights, variable ground clearance, power rack-and-pinion steering and a lightweight fibreglass roof.It also featured a wider front track and different-sized wheels to counter the understeer effects of front-wheel-drive introduced in the Citroen Traction Avant in the 1930s.The DS has been named one of the coolest, beautiful and most influential cars of the last century.Citroen DS23 Pallas PrestigeYear: 1973Price New: $9000Price Now: about $90,000Engine: carbureted 2347cc 4-cylinderBody: 4-door sedanTransmission: 5-speed manualDid you know: The original 1955 DS was designed, not by car designers, but Italian sculptor Flaminio Bertoni and French aeronautical engineer Andre Lefebvre.Got a special car you'd like featured in Carsguide? Modern or classic we're interested in hearing your story. Please send a pic and brief info to mark.hinchliffe@carsguide.com.au

Custom cart builder Steve Grayson - the owner of Eagle Carts on the Queensland Sunshine Coast - says the humble golf cart has come of age with the growth of gated communities, resorts and golf courses. He's now selling high-powered, blinged-up carts worth as much as $35,000 to cashed-up retirees, miners, golfers, businesses and even V8 Supercar teams right around the country and as far as Fiji. "When I started the business about six years ao, I was surprised by what people wanted," he says. "Customised carts were huge business in the US, but not here. "Now I get a lot of people who want to spend a lot of money on them. Miners use them for shooting and playing golf. They want to outdo each other." But the prize for the most elaborate cart goes to a resident of a seaside gated community. "He was ordering a cart and got the cost up to $15,000 before his wife came home," he says. "Then she ordered more features and got it up to $25,000. Eventually they spent $35,000, but it had everything." The cart featured leather seats, reverse camera, bullbar, stereo, airbrushed paintwork, mag wheels and a carbonfibre dashboard.  Eagle Carts are powered by rear-mounted electric motors driving the rear wheels to a top speed of about 25km/h, although some American carts with high-output chips are achieving 55km/h. "I had one cart that would wheelstand," he says. Grayson says the industry is not regulated in Australia and warns of an influx of "dangerous" American carts being bought over the internet. "They are big over there in large gated communities where they encourage people to park their cars and use LSVs (low-speed vehicles)," he says. "They even have special shopping centres that cater for LSV traffic only." In Australia, carts are not allowed on public roads, except with conditional registration which allows them to be driven 700m on a public road between the owner's house and a golf course. Grayson says electric carts charge in six hours and have enough range to complete two 18-hole rounds of golf, not that he has time for that these days with his business taking off like a Titleist golf ball. "I played a lot more golf before I started doing this business," he says.

Sales bounced back last year, but one of Australia's top scooter retailers believes they will rise even further this year with public transport costs soaring 15 per cent. Industry figures released by the Feral Chamber of Automotive Industries show sales of bikes, all-terrain vehicles and scooters were up 3226 or 3 per cent to 109,067 while new cars sales dropped 2.6 per cent. FCAI executive director Ian Chalmers said scooter sales were up 8.9 per cent to 11,374 as people sought to "avoid high petrol prices and increasingly congested metropolitan roads". Major scooter retailer Joe Dercole says scooters sales will climb even higher this year. "I can't believe even more people aren't buying cheaper transport, especially with public transport costs rising" said Dercole Scootpoia business was the top seller of Vesa and Paggio scooters last year. "Scooter sales have come back, but not to pre-GFC boom levels. It's a bit like what happened with the solar scheme; people started importing cheap Chinese imports and they've failed. The dealers that are still surviving are those with name brands. I've seen 19 scooter shops come and go in Brisbane alone since I started selling scooters in 1995." Stephen Aldenton is a scooter convert who believes he's saved more than $12,000 on transport costs in the past six-and-a-half years since buying his 150cc Vespa. The retired army officer has even prepared an Excel spread sheet on the comparative costs of driving his car and scooter. "I've worked out the cost of running my old Mercedes is about 70c per kilometre and the Vespa is about 16c, so I save about 54c per kilometre," he said. "It's the best thing I ever did. Mind you, I get a bit wet when it rains and you have to watch out for the traffic - young girls in red cars in particular - and you have to keep your wits about you, but it's a good thing and I don't have any parking problems." Along with scooters, ATVs were also up (18.4 per cent to 3486), sales road and off-road motorcycles remained reasonably static throughout the year. Sales of road bikes recovered strongly in the fourth quarter, finishing the year 1.4 per cent ahead of 2010 with 38,628 sales. The only segment not to grow in 2011 was off-road motorcycles, with sales volumes declining4.5 per cent (1735 sales). Mr Chalmers said despite the decline in off-road segment sales, seven of the top 10 motorcycles remain off-road dirt-bikes. "Australians continue to embrace motorcycling as a favoured recreational activity, and off-road motorcycles fill this role particularly well. The off-road segment remains the second largest, accounting for 36,637 sales, almost 34 per cent of the total market," he said. Motorcycle sales in Australia peaked in 2008, when 134,279 motorcycles were sold. Japanese manufacturers continue to dominate sales. Honda was the number one brand, delivering 24,024 motorcycles to the end of December. Yamaha was in second position with 20,152 sales, followed by Suzuki (13,671), Kawasaki (9745) and Harley Davidson (6427). Honda's CRF50F was the most popular single model (2982 sales), followed by long-time favourite the Honda CT110 model, sold almost exclusively to Australia Post as a delivery bike. Honda's CBR250R was the country's most popular conventional road bike with 2172 sales. Mr Chalmers said the industry was looking forward to 2012, with an optimistic outlook for both sales and wider industry issues. "With favourable conditions continuing across regional areas, coupled with stable economic outlook, we see sales growing further in 2012," he said.