A 1974 Ford Falcon XB Ute found for Sale in USA

If you consider the distance between Australia and America and even more so the country's right-hand drive (RHD) policy, it's not hard to see why classic Aussie vehicles are a rarer site than special edition Lamborghinis in the States. But once in a blue moon you'll find an imported model from Down Under available for grabs in the classifieds like this 1974 Ford Falcon XB Ute.
The Ute is an Australian conception that dates back to 1934 with its creation credited to Ford engineer and designer Lew Bandt who came up with the idea of combining the front cabin of a sedan with the back of a small truck.
The most popular Utes in the country are made by local carmakers Holden and Ford. The one you see in these pictures is a 1974 model based on the third generation Falcon and it comes with a 302 cubic inch (4.9-liters) Cleveland V8 matched to a four-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels.
The unrestored RHD model has the GS package (we don't know if it's original or a replica) that includes the wheels, paint job and vented hood, while you also get the cheeky license plates.
The asking price on Hemmings Classifieds is $16,900. For more info, check out the seller's description that follows below.

Seller's Description:
"1974 Ford Falcon XB Ute. This is the pickup version of Mad Max's Interceptor coupe. This car draws a huge amount of attention - very few people in the US have ever laid eyes on one of these.
It is equipped with a 302 V8, 4 speed manual transmission, and right hand drive. It also has the GS roadwheels, "NASA" bonnet w/bonnet locks, rally grill with Hella foglights, bucket seats, console with floor shifter, special stripe package, etc. Power steering, power disc brakes and air conditioning. The A/C is not working but every component is there. Painted in the very cool '70's Tropicana Green metallic. Nice high quality tonneau cover for the bed, and Col Paige Ford "SuperDog" decal in the back window.
The engine is a 302 cu. in. Cleveland, the same as a 351 but destroked by Ford. Most parts are interchangeble with the 351. The engine has a performance cam with a slight but noticable lope, and the exhaust note is spectacular!
This is an unrestored car that would either make a very fun daily driver, or a great basis for taking it to the next level. Parts are easy to get for these online from various sources. A workshop manual and spare parts are included.
It would certainly cost a LOT more than this to locate & purchase one of these in Australia and import it yourself. This one is already here in the US, and is legally titled so you can see it and drive it (without all the expense and trauma of buying something half way around the world sight unseen).
Priced at $16,900 - Interesting trades considered"

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F 1: Australian GP Qualifying Results

At the inaugural race of every Formula 1 season you never really know where each team stands in terms of performance. Sure, there are the favorites, the also-runs, the back markers and oftentimes, the wild cards. Well, the qualifying race of the Australian Grand Prix that kicked off this year's F1 season certainly had all of the above. But not necessarily in the way most seasoned F1 fans might have expected.
Lewis Hamilton claimed the 20th pole position of his career and Jenson Button lined up right beside him, making it an all-McLaren front row. Not too surprising, as despite the fact that Sebastian Vettel took most pole positions last year, the McLarens had proved to be very fast during testing.
“It’s an incredible feeling to get off to such a good start”, said Hamilton. His team-mate Button added, “Obviously, this is only the beginning, but I think we have done a good job this winter and we have proved that today.”
For the rest of the official qualifying session, it’s hard to say which was the biggest surprise.
Romain Grosjean, who many mistake as a rookie, has in fact raced in F1 with Renault, albeit his last event was in 2009. Nevertheless, he brought Lotus to third position, justifying many like Red Bull Racing’s Christian Horner who believe that Lotus could be this year’s outsider.
Unfortunately, Horner’s own drivers were clearly off the pace compared to the McLarens. Mark Webber recorded the fifth fastest lap, despite facing a KERS malfunction, while reigning champion Sebastian Vetell was sixth.
Michael Schumacher posted his best qualifying result since his 2011 return to Formula 1 by claiming fourth place. The seven-time world champion was happy with the performance of the Mercedes W03: “Our performance is a huge step forward, considering where we were in qualifying here last year”, said the German referring to his 2011 start from 11th place.
If Ferrari thought that last year’s performance was a fluke and 2012 will signal a return to form, they might have to reconsider. Fernando Alonso spun on Q2 and did not make it to Q3! So he will start from 12th place, while Felipe Massa was a second slower than his teammate and ended up 17th.
Apparently, Scuderia’s technical director Pat Fry was simply being candid when he said that the Ferrari’s performance is way off the pace setters.
Team principal Stefano Domenicali commented: “I understand that at the moment our fans are disappointed but I would urge them to be cautious before making any definitive judgment. We have a lot of work to do and our engineers are well aware of that, as indeed they were before even leaving for Melbourne.”
With the two HRT’s being disqualified for failing, for the second year in a row in Melbourne to achieve a lap time within 107 percent of pole position, as mandated by the rules, 22 drivers will start tomorrow’s race.

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Toyota Cutting 350 Jobs in Australia Due to Slowing Demand

In a rare move for Toyota, the Japanese automaker announced today that it is axing 350 jobs at its Australian plant in Altona, Victoria, due to what the company describes as "unprecedented operating conditions". The job cuts will affect manufacturing and production workers as well as the firm's management.
Toyota Australia President and CEO, Max Yasuda, said the extremely strong Australian dollar, which has risen to its highest position in six weeks against the US dollar, along with the global economic crisis that saw reduced demand from the local division's main export markets such as the Middle East, are to blame.
"Toyota Australia is facing severe operating conditions resulting in unsustainable financial returns due to factors including the strong Australian currency, reduced cost competitiveness and volume decline, especially in export markets," said Yasuda.
"In consideration of current and anticipated market conditions this action is necessary. It is not possible to maintain our workforce at its current size," he added.
The Japanese firm, which currently employs 4,683 workers in Australia, saw its manufacturing production levels drop from 149,000 vehicles in 2007, to 94,000 in 2011, and an expected 95,000 cars in 2012. The Altona plant produces the Camry and Aurion sedans.
"The reality is that our volumes are down. What we assumed was a temporary circumstance has turned into a permanent situation. This drop of 36% in just four years shows the scale of our challenges," said Yasuda.
Toyota stated that it continues to be committed to the Australian market and has plans to open a new plant to manufacture four cylinder and hybrid engines at Altona later this year.

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Cadillac Preparing Right-Hand Drive CTS-V

With around 34% of the world's population driving on the left hand side of the road, in countries like the United Kingdom, Australia, India and Japan, any automaker that aspires to go global needs to produce right-hand drive (RHD) vehicles. With only a few exceptions like the fifth generation Seville (built from 1998 to 2004), Cadillac has for the most part shied away from RHD markets. But this is about to change as the wreath and crest brand is getting more serious about increasing its presence in markets outside of North America.
Aside from the product presentations like the new BMW 3-Series rivaling ATS sedan that will eventually be offered with a diesel option as well, Cadillac is also getting ready to introduce right-hand drive models.
“We’re geared up for right-hand drive now. We’re working on it," says General Motors marketing chief Joel Ewanick, according to a report from Autocar magazine.
One of the first models to get a RHD version will be the Cadillac CTS-V that sports a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine with 556-horses.
Ewanick also reiterated Cadillac's newly found commitment to global markets during the interview.
“There wasn’t a commitment to the product before and we didn’t design cars to the market demands,” he said. “The Germans do this very well. There is now a full resource commitment and a vision to get this right. Bankruptcy refocused GM.”
But it's not all good news for Cadillac fans as when asked about the well-received Ciel Concept shown at Pebble Beach last summer, Ewanick said that it's not among the company's top priorities:
“The Ciel reaction was very good. But we’ve got lots of other Cadillacs to do. It’s the busiest time in our history for all our GM brands. It was a strategic time to introduce a luxury concept to the brand, but you need to remember where we are with Cadillac at the moment; the Ciel is a much higher type of luxury.”

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Tesla Tweaks Roadster for its Final Run in Europe, Australia and Asia

While the Tesla Roadster is no longer in production for the North American market, the pure-electric open-top model will continue to be available for a little longer in other regions. To mark the final year of production for Europe, Asia and Australia, Tesla introduced a revised version of the Roadster with new options and enhanced features.
All versions get a rear snow cover and tweaked motor and inverter systems for better performance in snow and ice, Xenon headlamps, an improved air conditioning and different front windscreen seals that make the cabin quieter.
Furthermore, there are two new Mobile Connectors for charging in Europe and Japan.
Tesla said the final edition will be available with three additional shades including Cosmic Black, Galactic Gray and Magma Orange, with new, complimentary interior colors.

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