What's the most attractive part of the AU?

[T3man]

Originally Posted by zoomie

Hahaha ... but just couldnt talk myself into owning a AU.....

Try having a beer or three first - many an ugly shiela turned out a pretty good ride after a coupla grogs.

[75van]

Originally Posted by GK

I love the reflection of the whole profile as I drive slowly past a shopfront with a lot of glass.

The curves look just right, I love the roofline, rear glass, down to the spoiler and bonnet. Never tire at catching a reflection.

GK

Bang on the money - another view that's also top is the view of a series two or three XR coming up fast in your rear vision mirror. And knowing you're giving someone that view of your car in THEIR mirrors..... :

[FTE217]

Originally Posted by BA Falcon

The price.......

like BA XT's are holding their price :

[Polyal]

I love the fact that people are adimitting loving AU's!

I too love the shape and the view from the rear quarter back, the lines are awesome and way ahead of its time which is a shame.

The other thing I love about my AU is parking next to a VT and instantly dating the commy even further; tarted up, overweight excels they are!

[ronwest]

I like the car (S3 F/Ghia) as a whole.
The only other car I've liked as much was a Mk2 Cooper S I had in 1970. There was just something about it that appealed to me.

My AU is the same in that of all the cars I've had since 1970 (lots) there is just something very appealing about it (and AU's in general).

I've cherry picked a bit to get it the way I want it. IMO there is nothing before or since that rates with the AU XR front bar. There's not a lot of them about... there's no need for a second or third look to see what it is.

In my view, the later models could be anything, euro, japanese, korean. There's really nothing that defines them - which obviously is what Ford intended given the relatively poor sales of the AU.

I like the black leather interior. For many years Ford have done a much better job than eg Commodores on the interior. Again, I'm not a great fan of the later interiors. There's just something "beige" about them.
Safety first for Ford designers, which is a bit of a shame as we will probably not see anything as "different" as an AU for a long time.

I've hung on to my AU longer than I usually hang on to cars. TBH I know I'm not likely to get anything that appeals as much and I'm not ready to go go beige. When I do I'll probably lob into a Camry or whatever they are these days, lol.

[FPV+fteT3]

Speaks for its self really

[burnz]

Originally Posted by T3man

Try having a beer or three first - many an ugly shiela turned out a pretty good ride after a coupla grogs.

listen to this man!! it's the only answer.

[Stattic]

T2te50 they are some seriously nice ghias

[Dauphin]

I've always liked the rear end of a lowered SWB AU, the line around the top of the rear lights going deep into the side of the bumper. With no spoiler, it looks classy.

The series 1 Futura grille with the little slit and chrome piece is also a favorite.

[BIGJB]

Originally Posted by Stattic

T2te50 they are some seriously nice ghias

Thanks mate, they are just such easy cars to make look the goods which is
what I think I love about them the most.

[Juzman]

What initially appealed to me was the "underdog" reputation of the AU... most disliked it. I always cheer for the underdog. I always stand up for the persecuted lol

But as the years have gone on the AU has gone from what most saw as an "ugly duckling" to a beautiful swan. With every passing year it seemed to look better. You're right, VT commodores and alike now look in a different vintage to the AU. Most car companies are only now trying to replicate the "egde" look integrated into the AU well over 10 years ago.

The T3 on its own is one of the most beautiful cars I've seen in a long time. If only Ford had the T3 kit available for other members of the series (even if it was just the x series), it would be great seeing a few more kits around the place. I know it would have destroyed the T3 uniqueness but it would have given the majority that couldn't afford the T price tag a chance to drive in an amazing looking vehicle.

But well done Ford for predicting the future, unfortunately (fortunately for us now!) humanity at the time wasn't ready for a peek in to this future.

[RG]

How could you not love this?

[InfernoSR]

me...

what i love about the AU is simply the mods that can be done to them... its hard to find 2 AU's that are completly identical (except for VIN etc.)

[xrford]

Originally Posted by j0nni

The low lip spoiler...just don't have the right photo/angle of it!

Hotham?^^^ i reckon i have a pic of my first car in that exact spot!

For me its the T1 series wire grills, Urban Geometric pattern climate and dash spear, the aubergine leather with old skool headrests in TE/TS, and the T series silver clusters.

[FTE217]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^yer very nice bit of kit the T1's beautiful car ! stroked even better !!

[KR1STO]

those shots in the T are of the raindrops pattern.. the urban geometric is a metallic silver (almost chromey) colour..
i'll get some pics up of it, it looks awesome..!

[au11futura]

Originally Posted by Juzman

I've always liked this bit - I find it sexy, almost like the smooth curves of a female. I should stop there.

:

what do you find attractive? Why do you like the AU?

i deff agree on this part one of the cleanest looking lines of the car.

And also the fact that i own one and can look at it all day.

[The Monty]

The best looking AU ever, bar none. 012's T series. Done a fair few years ago, and just looks so good its not funny.

[KR1STO]

love this rear shot!!

[Juzman]

Here's a few I saved in the past from my journey through this forum. Real beauties. How can you not love the AU in all its many forms

[T3man]

Originally Posted by ronwest

- which obviously is what Ford intended given the relatively poor sales of the AU.

It is obviously going to be a big surprise for you to find this out ... The AU sold more cars than BA and BF combined.

It's funny when you look around the roads today that you see more (lots more) AUs than anything else from the era. The Crumpledoors (VT/VTII) of the day have done just that. You really don't see that many about. At least not out here in the bush. More VR/VS utes than anything! LOL.

Something else I've noticed - get in any ol' AU taxi (or Ghia) and it still drives tight and straight - get in a BA/BF and the things are rattling about and wandering all over the road.

... and Juzman, those pics are pure horn!

[XR6SQ]

Dam second picture Juzman is making me bar up!!

i hated the AU till i got one, then i saw this and I smiled.

[smoo]

Originally Posted by The Monty

The best looking AU ever, bar none. 012's T series. Done a fair few years ago, and just looks so good its not funny.

That is quite possibly the nicest AU I've seen, would even be better without the rear wing. No tacky plastic hanging off it like aftermarket kits or dare I say T3,which I'd buy in a heartbeat if I had the cash, despite the unique ott kit (imo).
I'm also a fan of the Fairlanes (not LTD, too much chrome), especially in white with standard wheels and ride height. Love the rear overhang, just like an American car, without the crap build, power/drivetrain and suspension. Same also applies for the dash boards, especially the Ghias, very American, mine is still like new after nearly 560k.

Some will prefer this but on the other hand, Commodore has always swayed to European style, without quite pulling it off, an early 1990s BMW or Mercedes does a better job in every way than an 2005 VZ.

[scrivens]

Have to agree on the sweep of the roofline to the boot; simply beautiful lines. As has been said, the whole AU is lovely. There's a factory standard, mint condition red AU3 XR8 down the street that is one of the prettiest things I've seen on the road; every line just fits.

[galaxy xr8]

This thread has allmost turned into a "show us your AU" thread, that I think I have seen before, lol....

[bo0]

Originally Posted by RG

How could you not love this?

Definitely!

With the S2 Tickford kit, it really does set them off nicely (which mine has too )

-XR Front end, distinctive and unmistakeable for anything else. just awesome
-T3 Bodykits, big rear wing.... the 18" Azzuro wheels.... mmm
-Fairlane/LTD - individual styling compared to falcon. unlike B-series. Pretty...
-Fairmont Ghia interiors, high series dash, charcoal leather. Damn I wish XR's had that!

[XR6SQ]

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

This thread has allmost turned into a "show us your AU" thread, that I think I have seen before, lol....

haha I was thinking that, but I am still enjoying it!

[KR1STO]

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

This thread has allmost turned into a "show us your AU" thread, that I think I have seen before, lol....

haha.. was thinking that too... any chance to show off though hey.....hahah :

[FPV+fteT3]

I do not tire of looking at great cars I have come to the conclusion no matter how you look at them they are cool. How far ahead in design were these cars? They could still pass as current styling 10 years after release.

[SSD-85]

Originally Posted by FPV+fteT3

I do not tire of looking at great cars I have come to the conclusion no matter how you look at them they are cool. How far ahead in design were these cars? They could still pass as current styling 10 years after release.

Agree %100. It's amazing how well their design has held up for 12 years. VT-VX commodes just look like slap-together fleet blobs (with "up-spec" models just having the "bogan pack" tape on bodykits and interior trims). Even the B-series looks very ordinary nowadays. To be honest, I think quite a few AU haters are closet lovers :hihi: