QLD VS NSW: Who made the best cars?

Queensland and New South Wales are always at each other’s throats, arguing which state is best and that’s usually decided by a footy game.

But there are other ways of deciding the better state, such as comparing beaches, landmarks and cars.

Naturally, we've thrown together a small list of the vehicles we think should be in the run-on side for each of these mighty states. Then it's up to you guys to bicker over whose is best.

In the Maroons' corner:

Bullet Roadster SS

A V8 MX-5? What's not to love?

Queensland has a history of making powerful, low-volume sports cars such as the Giocattolo Group B, Skelta G-Force and the AJF1 supercar. However, the example we’ve picked is the Bullet Roadster SS, which added the extra grunt the Mazda MX-5 was asking for (times about 10).

Using a Toyota 4.0-litre V8 with a supercharger, the Roadster SS produced 320kW/575Nm and was able to go from 0-100km/h in 4.7secs.

In a car the size of a shoe, the Roadster is literally a bullet and could be best described as terrifying.

Ford Fairlane/LTD

A boat on wheels.

When the XD Falcon was released in 1979, production of the Fairlane and LTD was exclusive to Ford’s Eagle Farm plant until 1988.

These cars (ZJ-ZL) were Ford’s limousines, built on a long wheelbase version of the Falcon platform, and fitted with every luxury option you could think at the time.

A 5.0-litre and 5.8-litre V8 were offered until 1982, afterwards the sole engine option was a 4.1-litre six cylinder.

Holden Gemini

You and I and Gemini.

Built at Acacia Ridge, Brisbane from 1975 until the plant’s closure in 1984, the Gemini was Holden’s answer to the onslaught of Japanese cars that were quickly gaining market share.

Commonly using a 1.6-litre four-cylinder that sent power to the rear wheels, the Gemini was nothing special back in the ‘70s and ‘80s but nowadays is highly sought-after today. 

In the Blues' corner:

Buckle GT

Isn't she a beaut. (image credit: Wikipedia)

Weighing in at only 864kg, due to its fibreglass body, Bill Buckle produced 25 GT sports cars over a two-year period (1957-59).

Under the skin, the Buckle GT shared several parts with the Ford Zephyr, including a tweaked version of its 2.5-litre in-line six.

The GT proved to be an excellent racing car, claiming a number of victories and even the ’63 NSW GT championship. 

Leyland P76

How could Gough Whitlam regard this as a 'dud'. (image credit: Wheels)

Largely regarded as a lemon, the Leyland P76 was actually quite advanced compared to the competition in the mid ‘70s.

The P76 came standard with front disc brakes, MacPherson strut front suspension, rack and pinion steering and there was an optional alloy 4.4-litre V8, producing 143kW/386Nm. Its biggest trump card was the boot, which famously could fit a 44-gallon drum.

Leyland planned to add a wagon and coupe (called the Force 7) to the P76’s range while the car also won Wheels’ Car Of The Year in 1973.

Ford Laser

The TX3 was more of a track star than a rally star.

The sister car to the Mazda 323, the Ford Laser was built locally until 1994.

While the Laser was nothing more than a humble hatchback, during this time there was an all-wheel drive, turbocharged hot hatch version.

In its ultimate form, the TX3 produced 118kW/206Nm and finished second outright at the ’91 Bathurst 12 hour.

Who do you think made the better cars? Let us know in the comments.