1964 Chevrolet Bel Air Reviews

When mainstream brands decide to build supercars, magic happens: Ford with the GT40 in the 1960s; Honda's NSX of the '90s and now the Chevrolet C8 Corvette of the 20s. But the E-Ray - the fastest production version in the series' 72 years – ups the ante with hybrid tech, adding extra pace, efficiency and civility to a great American sports car. Wild yet worldly, the C8 E-Ray is something special.

It’s a year that will likely go down as an historical turning point for the Aussie new car market. With local manufacturing now a tiny spec in the rear view mirror, the long-predicted new wave of Chinese challenger brands built into an automotive tsunami in 2024.

It’s fair to say General Motors’ decision to close Holden was not a popular one amongst the car-loving population of Australia (blue-blood Ford fans excluded). But in 2025 GM’s decision could be justified if its new vision for our market pays off.That vision, of course, is the switch to running under the General Motors Australia (and New Zealand) banner, with GM Specialty Vehicles (GMSV) offering Chevrolet and GMC models as well as the long-awaited introduction of Cadillac to our shores. GMSV, which sells the right-hand drive converted Chevrolet Silverado and soon the GMC Yukon as well as the Corvette range, sits under a separate banner to Cadillac, but it’s all one big happy GM family behind the scenes. This new business model will never see GM achieve the kind of sales volumes Holden did, but it has the potential to be a very profitable business for the American automotive giant. However, it will need to enjoy a successful 2025 if it’s to feel good about its long-term hopes in Australia, with several major challenges ahead of it.Firstly, there is its existing Silverado line-up, which faces increased competition from the Ford F-150 and Toyota Tundra, as well as the new-generation Ram 1500 due in 2025. These new rivals arrive amid a decline in sales for the ‘over $100k ute’ segment, which feels inevitable given the expense and fit-for-purpose nature of these types of US-style pickups.Silverado sales are on course to finish well up on the segment (nearly 15 per cent for the Silverado 1500 and more than 20 per cent for the Silverado HD), but maintaining that kind of growth in ‘25 will be crucial to the long-term viability of both Chevy models — and potentially the overall ‘big truck’ market.To diversify, GM Australia decided to introduce an SUV to its mix — the GMC Yukon.This works on multiple levels for the company as the Yukon is based on the same platform as the Silverado 1500 GMSV is already converting, but is a more luxurious model and therefore can carry a higher profit margin.It will become the only full-size SUV with a V8 engine and is loaded with space and creature comforts, the Yukon will be a tough sell. It’s priced from $169,990 (plus on-road costs), which positions it well above (circa-$20k) the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, its most obvious rival, so it high volumes won’t be likely but it could add meaningful sales to GMSV’s bottom line.Then there’s arguably GM Australia’s biggest risk — Cadillac. The American luxury brand is finally expanding its operations beyond North America, but there’s an obvious question around the timing of launching an all-electric brand now.Demand for electric vehicles has, at best, cooled off after a sudden surge a few years ago (when GM was making its decision). However, the brand’s first Australian-bound model, the Lyriq SUV, undercuts its key rivals from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi on price, so it stands some chance on conquesting luxury buyers.There’s also a chance that Australian buyers will surge towards this all-new but very well-known brand in the market. We’ve seen an Australian soft spot for similar American vehicles in the past, such as the Corvette and Ford Mustang, and while the Cadillac Lyriq is a very different proposition it’s not outside the realms of possibility that Australians will be attracted to it.There are some fairly large ‘ifs’, ‘buts’ and ‘maybes’ surrounding General Motors’ Australian chances in 2025 so it could go either way. On the plus side it could establish its roots for even further growth, but on the flip side there is potential for a rough year that could cause GM’s Detroit management to re-think its Australian outlook. Only time will tell which way that will go, but we will watch General Motors’ sales performance with great interest next year…

What’s a car without a name? It’s an object that may function superbly well. It might even look impressively tough or beautifully sleek.

So you want to have the biggest ute on the road? You’ll have to pay for it.  Just like here in Australia, the best-selling vehicles in the United States are pick-up trucks. In their case, it’s the home-brewed Ford F-150 and has been for over 40 years. In Australia the F-truck’s Ford Ranger cousin will take top honours this year. 

GMSV has announced details of its genuine accessories range for the Silverado 1500 pick-up. Comprising two bespoke packs along with standalone options, the genuine accessories will help owners and future buyers toughen up and customise their big utes. The Chevrolet Silverado is available in three trims in Australia, where it is locally converted to right-hand drive. The LTZ Premium ($130,500, before on-road costs) is focused on towing and carrying big cargo while the ZR2 ($138,500) has an off-road bent. Reflecting each trim’s target audience, GMSV has put together a pair of genuine accessory packs. The ZR2’s Terrain Pack costs $4192 (plus GST and installation) and features a soft tonneau cover, sports bar, weathershields, black exterior bashing, heavy-duty side steps and sill protectors.Meanwhile the LTZ Premium Black Pack is a $3032 (plus GST and installation) indulgence featuring black  20-inch alloy wheels and black badging all around, right down to the Z71 emblems and Chevy ‘bow-tie’ badge."We know that so many of our customers personalise their Silverado, and the launch of these dealer-fitted accessory packs will give them even more choice, while at the same time simplifying the process,” said GM Australia and New Zealand Managing Director Jess Bala.Aside from the packs, there’s now a massive catalogue of stand-alone accessories. You can get soft, hard roll-up, lockable tri-fold or a key fob-controlled electric rolling tonneau covers, a swing-out toolbox, cargo nets, cross rails, tailgate gap cover and cross rails, on the practicality side of things. Visual enhancements include weathershields, your choice of silver or black script, sill guards, black or chrome side steps, a sports bar and black wheel nuts. The Silverado 1500 LTZ Premium can be optioned with a bonnet deflector, black badges and emblems, different mudguards and high-gloss black 20-inch alloy wheels.Inside, goodies like a centre console organiser, all-weather floormats and lockable rear-seat storage container are available from dealers. On the towing side of things, GMSV dealers offer 50mm tow balls for up to 3500kg braked towing or a larger 70mm ball that covers you for 4500kg. Compatible trailers can have a camera that aids visibility by ‘seeing through’ the load. As the accessories are genuine GM products, GMSV Australia and New Zealand warranties the parts with the balance of the new vehicle warranty, or 24 months/50,000km from the date of fitment, whichever is greater. The Silverado 1500 was one of the earlier arrivals in Australia’s burgeoning American pick-up ute market along with the RAM 1500. Ford has arrived with its F-150, and Toyota’s Tundra is in dealerships now as well. Chevrolet’s Silverado has a 6.2-litre V8 petrol engine which develops 313kW and 624Nm in 1500 guise. A Silverado 2500 HD is also available packing a 350kW/1322Nm ‘Cummins’ 6.6-litre turbo-diesel. 

I get it. The Chevy Silverado, Ford F-150, Ram 1500 and soon to arrive Toyota Tundra are eff off big trucks. In many situations, arguably too big for Aussie conditions.

It’s the answer to the question muscle and sports car enthusiasts have been asking since Chevrolet confirmed the formidable specification of its flagship ZR1 ‘King of the Hill’ Corvette.

Is the BYD Shark 6 going to be joined by a big brother? A full-sized ute might be in the pipeline for the near future, targeting American pick-ups like the Ford F-Series, Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado and Toyota Tundra in Australia.

If you’ve popped a couple of brave pills the finely-tuned, track-ready Corvette Z06 sails over the $300K threshold at $336,000, before on-roads, and gets serious with inclusions like top-spec multimedia, Nappa leather-trimmed GT2 sports seats, borderline F1-size rubber and heaps more.