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Australian-only models envied around the world

A number of cars previously available in Australia were unique to our market. Here are some the rest of the world envied.

Ben Gribbin
Ben Gribbin

Updated

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Early in the 20th century, our cars generally came from the US or the UK. It quickly became apparent English cars were not suited to our climate as their engines frequently overheated. US cars worked much better here. Their large, powerful engines were perfect for driving at speed over long stretches. We started modifying the cars to tailor them to our geography and culture – and in the process, created our own car industry.

Here are just a few of the models the rest of the world envied.

FPV GT-F 351

The last Ford GT Falcon, the GT-F (for final edition), was a road-munching behemoth. Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) created the GT-F as a runout model in 2015 to celebrate 43 years of Falcon production. The GT-F gave Australia's best-selling car ever a proper send off.

FPV fitted the GT-F 351 with a 5.0 litre, supercharged, all-aluminium Boss V8 engine. This monster engine had a power output of 351kW and an earth-shredding torque of 570Nm. The 351 ran on an enhanced R-spec performance chassis, and at the time, the worst thing motoring journos could say about this car was that it had sold out!

FPV produced just 500 of these cars and they sold out rapidly. This is one car that the rest of the world wished it could have. Then again, we wish we had it back too! Ford replaced the Falcon with the Mondeo, and instead of the performance FPV line, it offered us a right-hand-drive Mustang.

Toyota Land Cruiser 70

The 70 series Land Cruiser launched back in 1984, replacing the venerable 40 series. This gutsy, old-school off-roader is still available here in Oz, albeit with a redesigned chassis and a stability control system.

With Land Rover ending the Defender in 2016 and Nissan stopping the Y61 Patrol, Toyota’s stripped-back workhorse basically has the market all to itself. Australia is just one of a handful of countries worldwide where you can still purchase a new Land Cruiser 70 ute. International 4x4 drivers are now left staring longingly at Toyota Australia's website, wishing they could export one.

Anything from HSV

Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) started life in 1987 as a joint venture between Holden and Walkinshaw racing team. Over the years, HSV took ordinary Holdens and gave them a huge performance injection.

Some of its creations, like the Clubsport and GTS, found their way to the UK. Vauxhall, a GM-owned sister brand, rebadged them as VRX8s. A number of Maloo models were also exported to the UK, again relabelled as Vauxhalls.
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Globalised Cars

Australian car enthusiasts know that we have a unique and enviable car market. Some of the Australia-only car models aren’t just great Aussie cars, they are great cars. Period.

Sadly, in the last few years, we lost most of our original great car makers. Well-loved brands are now offering homogeneous globalised models. Fortunately, we can rely on the used-car market to provide us with all the car nostalgia we need.

If you’re looking for a classic Australian car, check out our classic car loan comparison.

Compare car loans you can use to purchase an Australian-only model Cars

Data indicated here is updated regularly
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Name Product Interest Rate (p.a.) Comparison Rate (p.a.) Min Loan Amount Loan Term Application Fee Monthly Service Fee Monthly Repayment
IMB New Car Loan
IMB New Car Loan
4.99% (fixed)
5.34%
$2,000
1 to 7 years
$275.12 ($250 Application fee + $25.12 PPS registration fee)
$0
You'll receive a fixed rate of 4.99% p.a.
A low minimum borrowing amount of $2,000 that you can use to purchase a new car or one that's up to two years old.
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More Info
Latitude Personal Loan (Secured)
Latitude Personal Loan (Secured)
From 5.99% (fixed)
7.26%
$3,000
1 to 7 years
Loans under $5000 - $140
$13
You'll receive a fixed rate between 5.99% p.a. and 21.99% p.a. based on your risk profile
Lock in a competitive fixed rate when you offer security. Loan can be used for any purpose and repayments are flexible. You can check your interest rate before applying with no impact to your credit score.
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More Info
Loans.com.au - New and Dealer Used Car Loan
Loans.com.au - New and Dealer Used Car Loan
From 4.67% (fixed)
5.22%
$5,000
3 to 5 years
$400
$0
You'll receive a fixed rate from 4.67% p.a. based on your risk profile
Finance a new car and benefit from features such as fast approval, no ongoing fees and an optional balloon payment. Settle the loan before 30 November 2021 and enter the draw to win a $1,000 fuel gift voucher. T&Cs apply.
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More Info
Wisr Secured Car Loan
Wisr Secured Car Loan
From 5.19% (fixed)
5.46%
$5,000
3 to 7 years
$195 (Includes PPSR registration and private sale fee, if applicable)
$0
You'll receive a personalised interest rate from 5.19% p.a. to 17.69% p.a. based on your risk profile
A flexible car loan from $5,000 - $50,000 with personalised rates and rewards for strong credit customers.

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Plenti Car Loan
Plenti Car Loan
From 4.89% (fixed)
5.44%
$2,000
3 to 7 years
from $249 to $799
$0
You'll receive a fixed rate from 4.89% p.a.
Borrow up to $100,000 with a Plenti Car Loan and benefit from no early repayment or exit fees.
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Credit Concierge Car Loan
Credit Concierge Car Loan
From 3.99% (fixed)
5.08%
$10,000
1 to 7 years
$350
$8.50
You'll receive a fixed rate of 3.99% p.a. with a comparison rate of 5.08% p.a.
Get access to over 20 providers to fund a new or used car.

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More Info
NRMA New Car Loan
NRMA New Car Loan
From 4.99% (fixed)
5.69%
$5,000
1 to 7 years
$499
$0
You'll receive a fixed rate from 4.99% p. a.
Purchase a new or used car up to 2 years old and benefit from a fixed rate and no monthly fees. Pre-approval available within 5 business hours.
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More Info
Stratton Finance New Car Loan
Stratton Finance New Car Loan
From 4.05% (fixed)
5.63%
$10,000
3 to 7 years
$700
$8.25
You'll receive a fixed rate from 4.05% p.a. depending on the lender you are approved with
Apply for up to $250,000 and use cash or trade in a vehicle to use as a deposit. Optional balloon payment available.
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NAB Personal Loan Unsecured Fixed
NAB Personal Loan Unsecured Fixed
From 9.99% (fixed)
10.88%
$5,000
1 to 7 years
$150
$10
You'll receive a fixed rate between 9.99% p.a. and 18.99% p.a. ( 10.88% p.a. to 19.83% p.a. comparison rate) based on your risk profile
An unsecured loan up to $55,000 you can use for a range of purposes and pay off over up to 7 years. Note: Majority of customers will get the headline rate of 12.69% (13.56% comparison rate) or less. See Comparison rate warning in (i) above.
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Driva Car Loan
Driva Car Loan
From 3.95% (fixed)
5.1%
$2,000
1 to 7 years
$295 (Varies by lender, starting from $295)
$10
You'll receive a fixed rate from 3.95% p.a.
Borrow up to $250,000 with loan terms from 1 to 7 years. Get access to a range of lenders.
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More Info
Symple Loans Personal Loan
Symple Loans Personal Loan
From 5.75% (variable)
6.47%
$5,000
1 to 7 years
from 0% to 5% of the loan amount
$10
You'll receive a personalised interest rate from 5.75% p.a. to 25.99% p.a. based on your risk profile
Borrow up to $50,000 to pay for what you need.
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Picture: Toyota.com.au, HSV.com.au

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Car Loan Offers

Important Information*
Logo for IMB New Car Loan
IMB New Car Loan

You'll receive a fixed rate of 4.99% p.a.
A low minimum borrowing amount of $2,000 that you can use to purchase a new car or one up to two years old.

More info
Logo for Beyond Bank Low Rate Car Loan "Special Offer"
Beyond Bank Low Rate Car Loan "Special Offer"

You'll receive a fixed rate of 4.69% p.a.
Take advantage of a competitive rate, pre-approval and no early repayment fees when you finance a car under two years old.

More info
Logo for RACV New Car Loans
RACV New Car Loans

You'll receive a fixed rate from 4.99% p.a.
A larger loan of $5,000 or more to help you buy a new or used car. 5-hour pre approval available and no ongoing fees.

More info
Logo for NRMA New Car Loan
NRMA New Car Loan

You'll receive a fixed rate of 4.99% p.a.
Purchase a new or used car up to 2 years old and benefit from a fixed rate and no monthly fees. Pre-approval available within 5 business hours.

More info

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