Describe you first ever drive of a V8 [Archive] - Australian LS1 and Holden Forums

Bingo BIlly

11-07-2010, 10:56 AM

Tecca

11-07-2010, 11:01 AM

VN SS was mine, I didn't treat very nice so i got hooked and have wanted one since!!! funds haven't permitted that yet tho :(

Peter B - CV8

11-07-2010, 11:03 AM

Chev Impala (about a mid sixties model from memory). It was like a lounge room on wheels & just did everything so effortlessly.

rgmast

11-07-2010, 11:06 AM

Kingswood HJ 253 was grandpas car who lived with us. When he passed away it was kept in the family and became the first car myself and brothers and sisters used until we purchased our own car. Great for learning in cos if u hit something there wouldnt be a mark on it :D . Not so much luck for what it hit!

macca_779

11-07-2010, 11:10 AM

ZJ Fairlane. Suppose it was inspirational as I've owned nothing but V8's.

sv300 - 75

11-07-2010, 11:11 AM

Winton raceway with the V8 race experience. kind of funny that my first drive of a V8 was actually at a racetrack in a race stripped car. it was awsome.

pulled out of the pits and short shifted to 2nd and then punched it. as it was not my car, it was insane. the next most powerfull car to that was my dads VE omega wagon, lol. loved the pull this thing had, loved the noise even though it had side pipes it was still awesome. loved the grip and loved the fact that i could drive it and the last time i drove manual before this was about 12 to 16 months ago and that was my brothers 1.6l golf.

since then i have got my own V8 and im loving every drive in it.

csv rulz

11-07-2010, 11:11 AM

I was lucky in that my old man had a VX II SS M6. Got my L's on my 16th birthday and drove the SS out of Vic Roads. Iv been hooked to V8's since. As soon as i was off my P's the V6 Commo was sold and a VY SS has since been sitting in my garage.

coogss

11-07-2010, 11:18 AM

When I was 16 I went to a mates house and his older brother had a vh ss was sold from that day on haha

omgbees

11-07-2010, 11:25 AM

HQ, flogged it up a backroad, never been pushed back into a seat like that before. 6 months later I bought my monaro.

wally01

11-07-2010, 11:54 AM

HJ 253 wagon auto my brother had thought that was the ducks guts ,the 253 died ,so the old man had a 308 block and a set of L 34 pistons in the shed so he built a 308 and put that in it .
At that time it was the only 8 i had driven that would smoke'm up without much trouble ..

I had a couple of others along the way 289 4 speed fraud XB Le Manaro then that was the end ,until i bought my VY 11 SS last year ...

v8dude78

11-07-2010, 12:12 PM

The old mans HG prem 253 learned how to drive a car in it when i was around 13 (private property) and only had one non V8 since, my first car when i got my licence HG kingswood 179 HP block
Since that
VC commordore 253
HX ute 308
HZ GTS 308
VQ Statesman 308
and now VX II calais 5.7

Munro3

11-07-2010, 12:14 PM

Commodore VH SLE worked 308.

Went like a shower of S$%t. Big HP in a little car, never forget how quick it was. Even till this day I reckon it would be bloody quick and give a few LS1/2's a run.:bow:

DR-vyss-108

11-07-2010, 12:40 PM

mine was dads vr senator 215i when i was 12 out on a private road, was awesome to say i had driven it, but dad also had a capri gt v6 that was heavily worked for tarmac rallies, drove that when i was 10 as my first ever experience, so it was probably quicker than the senator, but the senator was just so smooth, besides how heavy the clutch is, i has cushions behind me and i still had the get out of the seat just to mash the clutch in for every take off and gear change lol

cnnonyx

11-07-2010, 12:41 PM

Looks like I have the newest story of the lot ....

VE SS Ute, after 2008 Bathurst 1000. Mate was pissed, had to drive his home, and he was encouraging me to flog it home. I did, only a little - and fell in love.

He had a few beers on the day, and I jokingly suggested that I should drive home. He said for sure, and started sinking more beers! First Bathurst where I didnt get hammered, but it was the one time where I truly DID NOT WANT BEER and just wanted for the race to finish, and get in the drivers seat!

9 months later, I bought my own in June 2009! Best decision ever!

marcu5

11-07-2010, 12:54 PM

First was back in about 2004/5.
It was a VK308 with some sort of a large edelbrock carby, straight 2.5' pipes with no mufflers. I got stuck at a set of lights 3 times in a row because I kept flooding it! Lucky though no-one came along behind me as it was about 8pm on a Sunday night. (This was Toowoomba just down the road on Bridge St. at the lights where the BMX track was at Wilsonton)
I had a VX v6 which would go just as fast, but did not have the torque feel this VK had.

Then last year, bought me own ve ss, awesome :) Then got it tuned and it became more awesome!
Perth people will know where I am talking about when I say: Coming up off the Graham Farmer FW onto cambridge street i felt wheels in what was like freeair as I "went over" thomas road. It was by accident as I underestimated the snappy gear change and effects that tune had (gearbox and engine).

It has only been until recent years that I learned I used to travel quite alot in my grandfathers kingswood, I always wondered why it rumbled and my mum and her sisters loved that car when they were little.. - it too was a V8 :)

QldKev

11-07-2010, 01:09 PM

First one I went in was my sisters boyfriend's XY GT, and geeze was it loud. He didn't baby it either.

First one I drove was my dads 351 fairlane. Stock as a rock, but I had difficulty holding 60km/h. I was pretty young at the time.

First one I owned was a VK 308, stock when I got it. Ended up with L34 spec valves, big heads, big cam, 650dp Holley, molly pistons etc. It could do 0-100 in 5.0secs on street tyres. Such a fun car to drive; had plates 'BEAST 308'. Sold it after a few years because country trips was way to revvy (I know just a diff ratio), I could not get better than 26.5L/100 around town even taking it easy; and at this stage it needed another trans and diff rebuild.

QldKev

boyley

11-07-2010, 01:19 PM

In 1986 I was working for a car detailer and drove a 1973 Valiant VJ Regal 360 with a torqueflight trans. That was the best experience of my life in a motor vehicle until I drove my first Turbo V8 :)

wikky

11-07-2010, 01:29 PM

When I was on my Ps I bought a HZ wagon with a worked 308. A mate wanted to get rid of it so I got it cheap. Went like a cut cat and you could here it from about 5km away. It was fun for a while then I sold it off for a profit. I used the money and bought a mint Leyland Mini :lol:

HOT_VYSS

11-07-2010, 01:33 PM

I have a R33 GTR Vspec that has had quite a lot of work done. To the point, that I needed a nice ute to tow it to track days. After a drive of my mates GT-P (First ever V8) I decided to go and get a V8 ute as I loved the instant torque and response (something you don't get with a GTR that is tuned for track work). I'm more of a Holden fan so I decided the LS1 was the way to go for great towing capacity and maybe a little bit of power tuning down the track :nyuk:
I bought myself a 2003 VY SS ute (manual) and I just love it. Its no track car but I love driving it none the less.

brend04

11-07-2010, 01:43 PM

My first drive of a V8 was in VE Calais with a 427 block and a HTV2300 supercharger, 440rwkw+ and a high 9sec on the strip full weight!

I was shitting myself the whole time as before that I had only driven a 3.8 ecotec.

theVman

11-07-2010, 01:45 PM

My first drive of a V8 was many years ago when I had to drive a mates 253 LH Torana home for him - even though it wasn't super quick its the whole grunt noise thing that is music to your ears plus it had a lot more grunt than the old 202 VB I had at the time. Been in love with 8's ever since!

BadSeed

11-07-2010, 02:10 PM

1972 VH valiant charger .318cu fireball v8
my first car, spent a sh*tload restoring it.
easiest car to do skids in.

boyley

11-07-2010, 02:21 PM

1972 VH valiant charger .318cu fireball v8
my first car, spent a sh*tload restoring it.
easiest car to do skids in.

aint that the truth :yup:

iloveholden

11-07-2010, 02:24 PM

My first drive of a V8 was my uncles WB body ute with a 355....THE SOUND! had me hooked! :bow:

185iboy

11-07-2010, 03:58 PM

My boss's VS 185i ute when I was 15 in industrial areas we were concreting on gravel roads. I had difficulties holding it straight :rofl:

On real roads just when I got my L's I drove a VY Monaro I was shitting myself didn't go over 50 anywhere

ls2GTS

11-07-2010, 04:44 PM

my first V8 was mums VE SS as she got it before i got the gts.

huggies

11-07-2010, 04:49 PM

my first drive of a v8 was when the old boy purchased a Shanghai Mica VXII Calais back in 2002 (i was on my L's & learnt to drive in that car and it held some good memories)

other memorable V8 driving experience would include

Grassy's 383ci VXSS (he taught me to drive manual in it) Wombah Wombah WUP WUP WUP !!! :burnout: :burnout: :burnout: there was alot of fun times had in that car

M1SSV8 - this automobile gives me a fat :jerk: and hsv have put together a great package when they built the e-series

deanobhoy

11-07-2010, 04:53 PM

Moved here from Scotland in 2008 and right away loved the sound of the V8's, I had to have one!

So I went out and bought an VE SV6 Ute lol! From the minute I drove it out of the showroom I regretted it, earlier this year I test drove a brand new SS ute and loved it, I had to have a V8

4 weeks ago I picked up a new SS-V Sedan and I love it!

ti0350

11-07-2010, 04:54 PM

My first drive of a V8 was an Original XYGT my mate was thinking of buying he couldn't drive a manual at the time so I had to test drive, big difference from dad's 2.85L VH commy I was use to driving around.

feistl

11-07-2010, 05:04 PM

First drive of a V8 was my current ride... 383 Stroked VX SS M6. Been hooked on the experience ever since.

That said, ive since driven a 06 VE SS and without trying to upset anyone, i was really disappointed. I dont like the VE interior AT ALL, and it wrecks the whole experience some how. It feels flimsy, small or weak. I mean the gearknob... Feels like it should be on a excel. And why is the steering wheel so small/light? I much prefer a big chunky wheel you can grip and provides feedback as to what the car is doing....

Im sure if you tune them up their going to drive really nicely, but in factory form it feels like the quality has gone down somehow.... And whose idea was the airbag on the front A piller?

Dont know, i know its all personal taste but id rather drive my VX (Admittedly it does have VZ HBD Steering wheel, pedals, gearknob, Senator Cluster, leather interior, GPS/DVD system etc so its a lot better than a normal VX) than a newer VE. Somehow the older model just feels lighter and your "more connected".

(I will admit im not comparing apples with apples here, ive seen some nice examples of VEs that are probably brilliant to drive. I was just let down a bit when i first drove a VE as i was expecting so much more)

PC12

11-07-2010, 06:18 PM

My First drive of a V8 was in my 1968 Ford fairlane. I was 15 and Dad let me buy it and drive it with him out on the property roads to learn for the licence.

First drive in a V8 was my uncles original HQ GTS Red coupe when I was 10.

peterss273

11-07-2010, 06:36 PM

I learnt how to drive in my Dads WB ute,253.
Couldn't wait to get my first V8, VB 202 fist car for 12 months,
Then a 134 pack Vk Berlina 308! Full Brock Grp 3 kit, Loved it! Mal Rose tunned and cammed.
Then came the Vl Grp A Plus Pack! :bow:
That ended up with 260 hp at the rear!
Now the SSV Ute,
Thinking of selling it to buy my Dads C36 AMG Merc! :confused:

VYSHSV8

11-07-2010, 06:39 PM

1972 VH valiant charger .318cu fireball v8
my first car, spent a sh*tload restoring it.
easiest car to do skids in.

Yep love the Fireball almost totally indestructable as an engine:) and it was driven lots of sideways and smoke:skids: like all my cars :):) I have never changed my driving style for anyone even my parents :lol: when they are in my car

Swordie

11-07-2010, 07:33 PM

Around 14 or 15 years old borrowing my Father’s LX 253 Torana for spin around the block. I went for it down the hill and thought the brakes were not going to pull me up. That was a big buzz.

HQV8

11-07-2010, 09:08 PM

HQ 253 V8...Got my L's at 16 and 9 months...first driving lesson was in this car...bloody awesome feeling and have been hooked ever since...

Chev's young bloke now has the HQ..

cheers
Damo

XU1_VE6

11-07-2010, 09:22 PM

VH SLE 4.2 was the first v8 i was passenger in when was about 12, then first actual drive a worked 351 xd ute....... good fun with bm shifter, compared to the newer vx and vy's I was driving at the time on a regular basis the noise of the xd superb although not as much poke as a maloo r8 :)

smokey777

11-07-2010, 09:33 PM

VN SS was mine, I didn't treat very nice so i got hooked and have wanted one since!!! funds haven't permitted that yet tho :(

VNSS for me too & to be honest i was slightly dissapointed was gettin stuck into it but i spose i was expecting too much lol when i finally got me own (VYSS) i was more pleasantly surprised but dissapointed in the sound lol. when i got my VESS this is what i expected a V8 to be & sound like

Marco

11-07-2010, 09:41 PM

My Dad had a VP SS when I was learning to drive...so my first drive of a V8 was my first drive of anything, and that was at age 13 or 14 driving around the deserted carpark at Dad's work, practicing parking!

Not the greatest story, I agree...but I am damn good at parking V8s now :)

RUF346

11-07-2010, 09:48 PM

My memory is a bit hazy, but I think the first V8 I went in was the old boy's '69 Plymouth Barracuda with a worked 360. The first V8 I ever drove was his CH Chrysler by Chrysler, on my first drive after getting my learners back in 1990.

255-LS1

11-07-2010, 10:00 PM

my relo's 32 ford hot rod, 400 chev worked, twin carbs, tunnel ram, gear drive etc t350, stage 3 shift kit, 9 inch 4.11s. big HP with jack weight, the thing was an animal, chirped every gear and smoked at will. very fond memories of that drive. it was just wow.

will never own a car without a V8 after that. the sound, the power, just a great feeling.

Then i had wb ute, mild 308 on LPG, t400, 10 bolt rear. good old truck.

then that maloo.

Smitty

11-07-2010, 10:14 PM

One of my best ever driving experiences was my first ever drive of a v8. As a kid i grew up to hoons exploding up the road with xy gts (or replicas), brock commodores and xd xe 351s. I always wanted a v8 and loved the sound.

I know my first drive wasnt in a special car but it was a ford eb ghia 5.0. I was only young and they first came out. I just loved how the v8 just glided along, next to nothing revs and it glided along.

It was a completely stock car so could just hear a little v8 synphony as it reved through the gears.

I just loved the v8.

What was your "first time" in a v8??

XT GT.......circa 1970 :)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y233/smitty1955/Car%20Pics/XT_GT.jpg
apologies for box brownie pic quality

and apart from a hot HR and LJ Torrie
and piece of crap XF Ghia (as a co car)
have NOT driven anything but a V8 since :goodjob:

Bingo BIlly

11-07-2010, 10:19 PM

VY18s

11-07-2010, 10:45 PM

When my old man bought his 5L VL Calais back in 2006. I got a drive of it from the top of Mount Panorama down to the bottom. Needless to say it'll be something I'll never forget.

My first drive in a V8 that I can still remember was my uncle's 5L VL Calais he bought in 1988. It was a few years after he bought it, but I can still remember going for a drive in it when I was about 5-6 years old.

This is one of the reasons I have such a big soft spot for the VL. It was one of the first cars I came into contact with.

Bingo BIlly

11-07-2010, 11:13 PM

I know someone that was on their L's and got to drive a vr clubbie 185kw. First ever drive, he nailed it in the wet on instruction of the passenger and owner of the car and fish tailed up the road and hit someones fence. This was in about 1995. I was due to have next drive. The car didnt come back only the driver on foot.

TheRealMadMax

12-07-2010, 01:48 PM

My next most memorable V8 experience other than my first ever drive in a eb ghia V8 was repossessing a VX GTS from Tuggerah. I had to drive it back to Sydney and drop it off at Gray Eisdell Timms Auction house.

First time Id driven a 300kw LS1 (or any ls1), it was a 6spd manual. The first time I drove off in it, just round the corner I opened it up and I was in heaven. Only another 75km of this to go.. I was on and off the throttle the whole time on the express way back to sydney.

It was a friday when I picked it up, I timed it that I wouldnt make it back by 5pm to Sydney :) (traffic etc was my excuse)... Kept it the whole weekend and dropped it in first thing monday morning.

I let everyone of my mates have a crack with it. Just heaven... :)

One guy turned off traction control, turning right absolutely crossed it up, lost control into someones front lawn on a sunday morning. Didnt hit anything but was up on the front lawn metres from their window. My job would be history if he hit it. The HSV mats are now in my VY SS.. :) What a weekend.

Wow. That's terrible.

As a rule, in QLD at least, we never drive the repo's unless we have to. (I used to do this type of work in QLD).

So lets get this straight.

1. Bloke can't afford repayments on his HSV
2. Finance Comp eventually arrange a repo
3. You pick up car, drive it like it's stolen (along with your mates)
4. Flog some property from the vehicle
5. tender it for sale at auction
6. Auction sells car (for an amount based on condition (I.e. KM's), accessories (I.e. Floor Mats)
7. Bloke now has to pay finance comp the difference between loan and sale price. (taking out your fee of course)

With any luck the previous owner is reading this forum and recognises the event.

Essentially, you have stolen from both the debtor and the finance company in this instance.

Anyway, my first drive in a V8 was my Dad's ZD Fairlane 351. Great fun, learnt on paddocks, then as a learner, then he let me use it when I had my P's. Miss that car.

SSDVL!

12-07-2010, 02:09 PM

Ah the memories....my old mans 68' Chevy Impala pillarless. My old man brought and owned from 1969 up until 2002 (his current partner made him sell it :flipoff: ) 2 speed powerglide, it had 'little finger' turning power it was that easy. In the 90's he setup upon restoring it minus the black vinyl roof, did all the panel beating himself and rust removal.. Ah as everyone used to know him as 'Jack with the big red chev'. There were plans in the late 80's to drop a 350 into it...but my mother past and my old man lost heart in it...Funny this thread started as him n i were just speaking about it the other day, unfortunately he had tears in his eyes..... My first drive was when i turned 16 driving lessons... "The big Red Chev" plates KFC888

Ed

silvervyss

12-07-2010, 04:23 PM

Older cousin had just purchased a 89 corvette and came over. Had my L's (1990), threw me the keys and said lets go for a drive. Best memory ever, drove it like a grandma around Essendon. He then took over, and showed me how to really drive it. :burnout:

Evman

12-07-2010, 04:31 PM

The first V8 I ever drove was our purpose built burnout car :lol: It was a 1966 VC Valiant station wagon with a 302 Windsor backed by a manualised C4. It was obviously unlicensed but a car doesn't have to be when you're on a farm ;) It had 4>2 extractors and each pipe then had a straight through section to exit just in front of the rear wheels (ie 2 pipes per side). Drone wasn't even a thought, but it was one of the best sounding V8's I've ever heard.

First time I drove it was back home from the bus stop when I was about 13 :lol:

Bingo BIlly

12-07-2010, 04:41 PM

Wow. That's terrible.

As a rule, in QLD at least, we never drive the repo's unless we have to. (I used to do this type of work in QLD).

So lets get this straight.

1. Bloke can't afford repayments on his HSV
2. Finance Comp eventually arrange a repo
3. You pick up car, drive it like it's stolen (along with your mates)
4. Flog some property from the vehicle
5. tender it for sale at auction
6. Auction sells car (for an amount based on condition (I.e. KM's), accessories (I.e. Floor Mats)
7. Bloke now has to pay finance comp the difference between loan and sale price. (taking out your fee of course)

With any luck the previous owner is reading this forum and recognises the event.

Essentially, you have stolen from both the debtor and the finance company in this instance.

Anyway, my first drive in a V8 was my Dad's ZD Fairlane 351. Great fun, learnt on paddocks, then as a learner, then he let me use it when I had my P's. Miss that car.

Yep, thats how it happened. I took some car mats stop being a drama queen.

Car was company directors and was a receivership. It was thought there was equity in vehicle hence i picked it up.

Do you wanna see videos and photos, i have them too.

Come on thread is about first drives in a v8. Contribute in the spirit of the thread

msjwood

12-07-2010, 05:06 PM

In '84, lived down south in Denmark WA. Needed (wanted) a fourby, needed (wanted) a V8 and had this stupid desire for something British. Obvious solution-a Range Rover ('83 four door). All 96KW of V8. It was slow, gas guzzling and made every-one seasick on the highway. But it sure sounded good with a Holden centre muffler & a hot dog on the back. Traded it on a VK Berlina V8 wagon when we moved to Kal in '87. It too was slow and gas guzzling, but sounded even better with a set of headers & custom exhaust!
Cheers, Mike

Thunderbird-1

12-07-2010, 05:07 PM

VH SLX wagon 253... First car, first V8 at 18
VE2 Maloo second V8... At 28
Loved the first one as much as the second one... Good thread

exwrx

12-07-2010, 06:39 PM

First drive of an 8 was a VC SL/E 253 in 1984, bald tyres so was wheelspinning everywhere in the wet, I thought it was great :rofl:

jamit

12-07-2010, 06:43 PM

First V8 was a Sandman Panel Van that my boss at the time had as a work car. We later chopped the roof off and turned into a ute.

Second was a neighbours FJ landcruiser trayback running a warm 350 Chev with 4sp manual, sidepipes sounded great this was a machine.

Third was my G60 1974 Nissan Patrol MWB running a 302W and C4 had this for 15 years and had some fun with that.

sjhugh

12-07-2010, 06:49 PM

I got my licence in the old man’s 308 HQ and in the same year brought myself a 1977 HX 308 (L34) Ute.

dawkinsdisciple

12-07-2010, 07:29 PM

VY series 1 clubsport first proper drive only about 5 years ago

having been poring over commodores of all sorts since the VTII GTS it was everything i'd thought and more...

my favourite 2 parts were a. just how solid, planted and responsive it felt and b. the noise it made dropped back to second and flattened between a gravel gully... the only mod he'd done was a catback so it actually sounded like a V8!!! needless to say my next car was the SSV, the one i have now and it feels like the evolutionary development i thought it'd be and i'll be keeping this until someone takes it off me...

only downer is it was the troglodytic auto. having since driven a VZ and with the upgraded t56 (M12 in the clubsports?), quite impressed with the manuals. i'd pbly keep the 6 sp auto though having had one and standing by it as it really is the best of both worlds

Pickles

12-07-2010, 09:40 PM

It was around 1961 in Toowoomba.
I was still in school.... a friend of mine, a few years older, bought a 1956 6A
Customline 272 Y Block V8....165HP I think.
Anyway, my friend was in the RAAF, & he bought this car, but he couldn't drive, so I got to drive it for a few days....no license, but no-one seemed to worry in those days!
I still have a soft spot for those early Customlines, particularly the Star Models.
Cheers, Pickles.

MJR-57T

12-07-2010, 10:04 PM

It was a while ago now and I was 15 lol :confused: Yes yes I know, silly thing to do when I look back but we're all angles right.

I was with my mum and stepdad and we'd just come back from a wedding. We were staying with a family friend at the time as the wedding was a few hours away from home.

Well....... Mum was plastered and had a massive argument with my stepdad so he decided to walk to his parents place who lived on the other side of town.
At the time we had a manual VY SS so being the responsible sober child I told mum not to worry, I'll go pick him up as he wouldn't even be at the end of the street yet. I could drive but never got out of 3nd gear in a manual before.
Got to the end of the street and told him top get in but he refused so I turned around and in a fit of teenage rage (plus being used to Need for Speed:) ) WOT'd it back to where we were staying which was only around a 90deg bend and 5 or 6 houses up. Well imagine overshooting the mark bouncing off the redline in 2nd gear. I finally stopped a few houses up and turned around but stalled it a dozen times trying as the adrenaline was pumping.
All he said the next day was "I dont appreciate the way you treated my car yesterday"
I learnt to drive the next year in that same car.

The next V8 after that was my VY tonner when I got my full licence a few years ago

VZ_V8

12-07-2010, 10:11 PM

My old man had an LS1 VU which I drove from the licensing centre after doing my 1st stage written L's Permit.

Bought my VZ Thunder when I was 19.

Wonky

12-07-2010, 10:44 PM

Mine was so long ago I can't remember - bloody OldTimer's disease! :lol:

Nah, was around the end of 1976 when I drove a mate's new 4 speed HX Sandman 308. Loved it so much I immediately went out and bought myself a brand new one too! (Had just completed my first year of full time work, so decided to treat myself. :D)

VX2VESS

12-07-2010, 11:48 PM

First drive HQ panel van 308 manual..great car car had one of those fluke motors that had more in it than 90% of the rest of the holdens around in stock form, modified well didn't have a lot of mods Holley exhaust cam heads later on

W427GOT1

13-07-2010, 12:18 AM

i worked for a wreckers after i left school...was a mechanical shop too
so drove a lot of cars, stripped many too.....

but the 2 i can remember
1st the ford galaxy i sreviced..huge yank tank i think it was a 460 BB.......soft ride...massive car and it moved when sunk ya foot into it....i was about 19...

2nd was a XB ford Pvan.....was a shit box, bloody hard to work on awful to drive....
i think these 2 cars opened my eyes to...power and fords are crap so it confirmed it.... im a holden man...

a few months later brought the HQ SS Monaro....had v8s ever since

OMR346

13-07-2010, 01:03 AM

I never drove it, but the first V8 i was in (from memory) was my brothers old 79 LTD. Big cammed 351C. Pulled you back in the seat pretty dam hard, and done massive powerskids with ease.

Then one of my friends brothers had a Gemini with an off chops 253ci. Went like a shower of shit. I remember pocking my head thru the sun roof at over 200km/h. Stupid thing to dom, and nearly ripped my head off lol

Then i started driving my self. I had a couple of 6 bangers (VH, VK, several VL's, and then a VS V6). I had driven a few V8's, but nothing to serious. Then i bought my first V8. 4 years ago this month.

1992 VP SS. It had all the bolt ons (diff, stall, T/B, rockers, CAI, Kalmaker, ect). I spent about $20k on it is 3 years (sold it about 12 months ago).

About 6 months after i bought the VP SS, i decided i wanted a ute. So i went out and bought a VR Spac 5.0Ltr ute. That was a great car to drive, on its guts with 18"s, exhaust, just a nice cruise car.

6 months later, realised a ute isnt good when you have 3 kids. I still have the VP SS, but if that broke down, then we were up shit creek, as the other car (the VS V6) was dead, and we only had the one, besides the ute.

So i swapped the ute for a VS SS. Mint condition, with mags, exhaust, low KM's. Great car to drive. One of the cleanest VS's ive seen to this day.

I traded that in for the SSZ about 6 months later, and ive had that for nearly 2 yeas now. Spent a fair bit on that, with more to spend (as always lol).

I also have a VX Berlina LS1 wagon now, for the family car, with exhaust, OTR and MAFless tune. Soon to get 222/224 cam and 3000rpm stall.

Plus im building a HG Kingswood (first non Commodore i have owned), which will be powered by a 304ci with GT3540 strapped to the side.

Once i had my first V8, i have always had them. I wouldnt go to anything but a V8 now (unless maybe a XR6t). And the misses says the same thing. It may cost more for rego, insurance, fuel, ect. But when you mash the go pedal, and it pulls you back thru the seat, you kind of forget all that pretty quick.

Desertws6

13-07-2010, 02:23 AM

My first time was borrowing Dad's 74 Chevy pickup truck (bog stock) with a 454ci and 4:10 gears. My car was broken as usual, borrowed the truck to get parts. Raced a Camaro and beat it :D I was hooked!

Cheers,
Steve

ADAM 26

13-07-2010, 07:23 AM

first ever drive in a v8 was driving tonner when it was dads car. i was on my L`s and he let me put my motorbike in the back and drive to the track.

i loved it, he let me give it a little bit of stick, but it wasnt goin fast (253 on gas) but i didnt care, i was just happy enough to be driving it!

GMMAD

13-07-2010, 07:32 AM

first ever drive of a V8 was my bro's XA GT worked 351
I have been around V8 all my life my oldie always had V8's fairlanes, valiants and jag 440 big block
and my bro had XY GT rep and XA GT
so its pretty much in my blood

MARRA

13-07-2010, 08:12 AM

VK Calais - good old freak show StarWars Dash.....!

poolkeeper

13-07-2010, 04:26 PM

18 or 19 years old
285rwkw FPV

vu ss777

13-07-2010, 04:39 PM

Mine was a cross8 crewman , I was on my L plates and the old man let me drive it down the shop ! It was awesome i was hooked from there on in :)

quityabitchn

13-07-2010, 06:57 PM

what can i say i just wanted one

msjwood

13-07-2010, 10:09 PM

VK Calais - good old freak show StarWars Dash.....!

Loved the dash. Had one with cam, 4 bolt mains,big valves, high comp pistons, 850 DP Holley (too much carb) T5 box, lowered (cut springs-bitch when you hit a spoon drain too fast), LSD and 84L tank-still wouldn't get from Kal to Perth on a tank-had to fill at Meckering. Fun car.
Cheers, Mike

***VX*R8***

26-07-2010, 11:58 PM

First V8 I drove was a standard Toyota Soarer :( engine felt very smooth but also felt very dull and slow, wasn't impressed.

Next was my VN with a 304 and after coming from R33 Skylines I loved the power and torque at low revs but hated that it seemed to fall over itself at anything above 4000rpm and assumed this was how all V8s were lol.

Then I went for a ride in a VZ Maloo and was very surprised at the power throughout the whole rev range. Pulled awesome at low revs and didn't feel like it lost any power at higher revs.

Now I have a VX R8 and have to say the LSX are awesome engines and I would LOVE to put one in a Nissan S chassis...

skidmarx

27-07-2010, 12:02 AM

Haha! This thread bring back some memories.

Mine was when I was a 1st year Auto Leccy apprentice. We had a large carpark over the road (40+ cars). Part of my dumb ass 1st yar duties was to move cars back and forward from the workshop too the car park. First V8 i ever drove was an old Xr8. EB mabey? used to mainly driving camry's, cruisers etc, I gave it the usual stab of the throttle to get moving along and it lurched me back in the seat. Being 16 it scared shit out of me, and I thought something broke the car... Ive been addicted ever scince!

Andy060

27-07-2010, 04:08 PM

***VX*R8***

28-07-2010, 02:42 PM

Had a 180SX for years (great car) and was actually looking at a XR6T when I decided to try an SSV at the yard. Straight away, I loved the power delivery and torque at the bottom range. Much easier and enjoyable to drive than a turbo.

I am coming from a 263rwkw 180sx manual to a 230rwkw VX Clubsport auto.
The LS1 is definitely a smoother and nicer engine.
I wish Holden or HSV would bring out a lightweight 2dr sports car with the LSX engine though, best of both worlds...

grandpa spec

28-07-2010, 03:15 PM

Was about 17 when I first got in a V8, it was a VN SS owned by one of our older friends. Foot flat out of his work it was bagging dual black lines all the way down the road, looking back I saw a wall of smoke and just went "I want... no no... need one of these"

After finally getting the funds together I managed to find a bargin VY SV8, took it for a test drive, picked it up a week later. Now due to QLD having the ever-so-glorious P plate laws (yes I am one of those dreaded young bast*rds) it is lying in wait until my open license comes through in november, and in the mean time the mod bug has bitten, and ebay / wreckers now consume my weekends.

HSVREDSLED

28-07-2010, 03:26 PM

My first impression of driving a V8?

Probably one of the most disappointing experiences in my life. I thought the rear end would be stepping out at every opportunity under low throttle.

I thought I would be hanging on for grim death. Nope.

But I did come from a mispent youth playing with pretty quick rotaries.

My next project will still be a V8...but in something way lighter...

SSVWagon

28-07-2010, 08:55 PM

1st V8 = Jaguar S-Type R with the s/charged 4.2 V8, this was the Jag UK press promo car which my mate bagged for my wedding day in the UK whilst he worked at 'Car' magazine. 420 bhp thank you very much, that'll do nicely.

2nd V8 = Hot laps at Calder in a BA Falcon

3rd V8 = M6 SSV Sportwagon (test drive).. closely followed by:

4th V8 = my current A6 SSV Sportwagon !

nate698

28-07-2010, 10:21 PM

my first drive of a v8 was in our basset racing cobra 350chev ... good fun

2nd was craig seatons vt .... (killer of a thing)

3rd my current ride vy harrop charged 5.7

D1STRBD

29-07-2010, 02:04 AM

My first v8 drive was my current car, a bit over a year ago went looking for cars, had a mate test drive it because i didnt have my ps till the day after, put a deposit on it, when i picked it up i drove it out the carpark so softly that i barely even moved i was scared. Finally got going and picked up all my friends. by the end of the night id discovered traction control off and power mode haha, respect the car alot more now than i did at first

toey

29-07-2010, 02:26 AM

my first drive was in 2003, a mates hsv enhanced vs ute which was also modified with bigger cam and full exhaust. we were out on the town and iwasnt drinking but he was so he threw me the key to drive us home 40km up the highway. all was good til it started raining and i tried to overtake a truck and it stepped out sideways @ 100km/h. i shat myself.

had been wanting a v8 since before i could drive but didnt get one til i was 25 :( and havent looked back since

AndrewR8

29-07-2010, 09:32 AM

My first drive was also disappointing, I think that everyone around me always gave an over exaggerated experience. I expected neck snapping performance, traction issues and utter fear. Got none...it was in a 2001 VXSS A4, off the line had no wheel spin, bit of a surge and that was it...so I gave it some more and actually had to force it to break traction to get it going, which I compared at the time to my VX V6 which appeared to be just as fun.

Then my old man went and bought a 2004 BA XR8 manual, my first V8 manual. I don't know what it was about this car but 1st and 2nd gear was what I expected form a V8, and it sounded bloody awesome for a stocky. That really got me into V8's. Then drove a VY Maloo manual ute, and got that V8 experience again...unfortunately I now own a auto...