Null's ultimate Dream Car Thread - A CV8 Monaro in Austria
Discussion
Lincsls1 said:
^^^ Nice work.
Be sure to give us your verdict on the rack change, thinking about this mod myself.
After the first 500 kilometers of driving my Monaro, all I can say is the Pedders quick rack does what it is supposed to do, and more Be sure to give us your verdict on the rack change, thinking about this mod myself.
Steering feel and feedback is great, making the car feel really tight and precise. There is a certain kind of connection between my hands and the front wheels now, which is very confidence inspiring and a ton of fun on curvy roads. Really love the way it handles now, it is SUCH a blast, loving every single minute and mile behind the wheel.
I honestly must admit, I never imagined the Monaro would be that enjoyable on twisty Austrian roads, but I am so glad it is.
I don't think I have ever mentioned it, but the last time my Monaro was at Walkinshaw Performance (September 2019), they replaced the radius rod bushings with polyurethane ones and put in new top mounts. Also keep in mind, I had new Pedders drop links and Pedders tie rod ends installed along with the rack. So there are a few variables to consider and I cannot say for certain how much of the handling improvement is down to the rack alone.
Lincsls1 said:
Stunning example of a CV8!
Do you plan to upgrade any further?
Thanks a lot Do you plan to upgrade any further?
I am satisfied with the car handling, braking- and power-wise, it is very enjoyable to drive as is.
There are a few things on my to-do-list to get the car back in top notch condition and conserve it for the years to come. In no particular order:
- Professional multi step paint correction and full frontal paint protection film (hood, bumper, wings, headlights, mirrors)
- Refurbish the OEM wheels to get rid of minor curbing and paint flaking
- Get the stitching behind the rear headrests redone, it is starting to come apart
- Full underbody rustproofing
Null.Performance said:
- Get the stitching behind the rear headrests redone, it is starting to come apart
If it lives outside, it may be worth considering a light tint of the rear window, as it's UV that degrades the stitching and then the expansion / contraction of the leather pulls it apart over time.I tinted mine about 8 years ago after replacing the rear bench and it's always lived outside since and shows no signs of coming apart again.
Car looks brilliant, you have an excellent eye for capturing the shape of the car in photos
SturdyHSV said:
If it lives outside, it may be worth considering a light tint of the rear window, as it's UV that degrades the stitching and then the expansion / contraction of the leather pulls it apart over time.
I tinted mine about 8 years ago after replacing the rear bench and it's always lived outside since and shows no signs of coming apart again.
Car looks brilliant, you have an excellent eye for capturing the shape of the car in photos
You madman, I don't think I could sleep very well if my Monaro would have to live outside all the time I tinted mine about 8 years ago after replacing the rear bench and it's always lived outside since and shows no signs of coming apart again.
Car looks brilliant, you have an excellent eye for capturing the shape of the car in photos
It sleeps in a small underground parking garage a few hundred meters from my small apartment, until I decide the weather is nice enough and/or the desire to drive it is too strong to resist.
Now, let me explain what the fuzz is all about: I have lived in the State of Salzburg all my life, so having the Alps, multiple beautiful lakes etc right at my doorstep became normal for me -
But once you get older, you start to get a different view on life, I guess. Millions of tourists come here every year, mostly to experience the beauty of nature and the endless possibilities to enjoy the outdoors.
I realized years ago how lucky I am to be able to live (and drive my cars!) in this environment, where others decide to come to spend their sacred free time / vacation. So, I would not want it any other way.
But of course, now come the disadvantages of living in the Alps:
We get lots of rain all year round
We have winter / wintry weather (and tons of salt on the roads!) for at least 5 months a year, and temperatures can drop to less than -25°C.
Summer usually means frequent thunderstorms, often with a threat of hail, severe wind, flash floods etc.
Heavy windstorms are quite common in autumn
I guess you could say: When it rains, it pours.
So, as an Austrian petrolhead, if you want to keep any car, new, used or classic, for a long period of time, and don't want to loose it to the elements or rust, you of course do not drive it during the winter months, but more importantly you park it in a safe environment all the time.
Rules regarding tint are a bit strange in Austria - Nothing allowed on windscreen and front windows, but can be as dark as you want from the B-pillars back.
This asymmetric look does not work too well on most cars imo.
I have loosely thought about putting something like 3M Crystalline film on from the B-pillars back, which does not darken the windows noticeably, but keeps the heat and UV out.
Given that the car sits in a safe underground location when not driven, I am unsure how much added protection the tint could provide...
My cars interior is in remarkable shape for it's age, a real testament to the previous owner. It still smells like new in there after 14 years!
So I might do tints in the future just to give it that last bit of protection.
As always Sturdy, thank you for your valuable input and expertise, and glad to hear you like my pictures
I took the Monaro and two of my buddies on a day-trip up the Rossfeld Panoramastrasse and for a hike around the world famous Königssee (King's Lake) near Berchtesgaden, Bavaria.
It is unbelievably beautiful there, and the roads are a joy to drive.
Although a bit crowded sometimes, if you ever get the chance, you should definitely come and see for yourself!
It is unbelievably beautiful there, and the roads are a joy to drive.
Although a bit crowded sometimes, if you ever get the chance, you should definitely come and see for yourself!
That truly is some remarkable scenery, and for me the Monaro is an ideal car for such an environment, as it's enjoyable to cruise along in even when not pushing it, which is helpful when the scenery is so grand and no doubt the penalty for a mistake could involve quite a drop!
Yes of course I remember now it lives underground, I remember from the earlier pictures, in which case I'd suggest the tint probably won't make a huge difference, perhaps just the back window to protect the place where the thread is most exposed but it likely won't be an issue.
We have the largely same rules regarding tints in the UK, although I imagine they're not adhered to quite as well as in Austria! We can have a slight tint on the 'front' windows, and I think maybe a very very slight front tint but I don't remember.
I agree the half and half look does not work, I have equal tints along the side windows and a darker rear window to save the leather. You still sometimes get a slight 'darker rear windows' effect as the back of the car is just inherently more in shadow and so looks darker.
I had intended to take my Ute on a European road trip during factory shutdown last August (as you can put a tent in the back!) but I only got as far as Le Mans before a wheel bearing was badly failing, so had to turn around and come back. I was planning on getting as far as Switzerland, I think another year pushing on a litle further to Austria should be added to the itinerary!
Yes of course I remember now it lives underground, I remember from the earlier pictures, in which case I'd suggest the tint probably won't make a huge difference, perhaps just the back window to protect the place where the thread is most exposed but it likely won't be an issue.
We have the largely same rules regarding tints in the UK, although I imagine they're not adhered to quite as well as in Austria! We can have a slight tint on the 'front' windows, and I think maybe a very very slight front tint but I don't remember.
I agree the half and half look does not work, I have equal tints along the side windows and a darker rear window to save the leather. You still sometimes get a slight 'darker rear windows' effect as the back of the car is just inherently more in shadow and so looks darker.
I had intended to take my Ute on a European road trip during factory shutdown last August (as you can put a tent in the back!) but I only got as far as Le Mans before a wheel bearing was badly failing, so had to turn around and come back. I was planning on getting as far as Switzerland, I think another year pushing on a litle further to Austria should be added to the itinerary!
I did a road trip in that part of the world 4 years ago, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Czechia and Poland.
We went to the Konigsee and up to the Berghof and Kehlsteinhaus.
The next day over the border and the Grossglocknerhochalpenstrasse, and stayed in Saalbach-Hinterglemm.
Even in a rental in August, it's breathtaking!
We went to the Konigsee and up to the Berghof and Kehlsteinhaus.
The next day over the border and the Grossglocknerhochalpenstrasse, and stayed in Saalbach-Hinterglemm.
Even in a rental in August, it's breathtaking!
RipGMH said:
Stunning scenery that must be enjoyed behind the wheel of a big v8!
Has me inspired for my first proper road trip, into Scottish Higlands!
You bet, the Monaro feels right at home here in the Alps, although it is so far away from where it was born Has me inspired for my first proper road trip, into Scottish Higlands!
I am sure there are a lot of very enjoyable roads in the Scottish Highlands! Have a great time and save travel.
Please report back afterwards and post some pictures
Null.Performance said:
RipGMH said:
Stunning scenery that must be enjoyed behind the wheel of a big v8!
Has me inspired for my first proper road trip, into Scottish Higlands!
You bet, the Monaro feels right at home here in the Alps, although it is so far away from where it was born Has me inspired for my first proper road trip, into Scottish Higlands!
I am sure there are a lot of very enjoyable roads in the Scottish Highlands! Have a great time and save travel.
Please report back afterwards and post some pictures
[url]On top of the Bealach na Ba.
|https://thumbsnap.com/A1Jg4t2K[/url][url]Near Shieldaig IIRC
|https://thumbsnap.com/WoaSrUsf[/url]Pics are from 2014 when I last had my 'ro.
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