Australian Motoring Year 1983/84

The year of 1983 was a tumultuous one for the Australian motor industry. There were a staggering 53 new models released onto a generally stagnant market. The truck market continued in the doldrums, although International Harvester fought back to recovery. There was a constant ideological battle between the haves and the have-nots over whether tariff barriers should be raised against passenger-carrying light commercials and four-wheel-drive vehicles. It was a disastrous sales year for General Motors-Holden's, and a triumphant one for both Ford and Toyota.

The year saw Ford open a new engine plant, Nissan a new design centre, and GM-H announce it would be closing-down Acacia Ridge in Brisbane. Mitsubishi and Mercedes-Benz unveiled a joint project to build Adelaide's O-Bahn buses, and Nissan and GM-H announced a new front-drive Holden would be based on the Pulsar. This was all in tune with the Federal Government's call for the motor manufacturers to rationalise componentry and share facilities.

It saw a row brewing between Nissan and its largest distributor, Capitol Motors, when Nissan decided to take over the NSW operation. There was another row internally in the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce over who was making money out of the Melbourne Motor Show. And there was controversy throughout the year in motor racing over new freedoms given to the touring cars.

Large hardback, 1984, 288pages, very good condition I have many books on sale, please check my listings or search aabooks with your keyword. I am happy to combine and save postage for you.

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