Buell or 1968 HK Holden V8

[Sensei]

As above what would ya buy . New shed is almost built & needs a new toy in it have been looking at a XB9R / 12R Buell as a bike the wifey could start to ride & me of course LOL .But have just seen a mint 1968 HK Holden 383 V8 for sale & about the same price what to do ?? Pic of the car below no need for a Buell they all look the same to me

[nallac]

i'd have a hard time deciding too...

yummy buell,whoar i want a buell,
or 383 powered holden

the holden would be the wise choice, keep it in good condition and the value would go up.the buell wouldn't.

gas usage on the 383 would be horendous but a hell of alota fun...



ummm i can't decide..
thats a bloody nice car too.
if it was a 55chevy vs buell well buy buy buell..

[ArcherWC]

go the Holden, it looks mint. buell's are a dime a dozen now

[James Deuce]

That ain't a Holden engine, it's a Chev. The value won't go up, it's not an investment.

Still a nice car to own, IMO.

[nallac]

hell yeh the price will go up on it.
look whats happened to the value of the old holdens fords valiants now.
10 years ago they were cheap not any more,hard to find a good one now.
chevy engine doesn't matter.
makes it better in my opinion

[Gubb]

I want a GTHO Falcon so bad.

[wilber]

Its a holden, its still only a boat anchor buy the buell

[nallac]

Its a holden, its still only a boat anchor buy the buell

a hell nice boat anchor at that.

[James Deuce]

hell yeh the price will go up on it.
look whats happened to the value of the old holdens fords valiants now.
10 years ago they were cheap not any more,hard to find a good one now.
chevy engine doesn't matter.
makes it better in my opinion

Chevy engine does matter. It's just like the Toy Collector market. If it isn't in the original box (unmarked) it's just a toy.

The 383 makes it a Custom. Custom's have limited appeal to collectors. If it was built by someone famous then it will be collectible (possibly).

[McJim]

One of your options has too many wheels.......

[FJRider]

Its a holden, its still only a boat anchor buy the buell

What he said..... BIKE or holden mmmmmmmmmm

[FJRider]

SHINY boat anchor.

[HungusMaximist]

Neither....

[Edbear]

Chevy engine does matter. It's just like the Toy Collector market. If it isn't in the original box (unmarked) it's just a toy.

The 383 makes it a Custom. Custom's have limited appeal to collectors. If it was built by someone famous then it will be collectible (possibly).

The HK was the last with the Chevy motors. Hard to tell from the pic, but it seems the Badge says it's a Kingswood which didn't come with V8. The Premier did have a V8 option but it was the 307 Chev. The 383 will have been fitted by an owner.

The next model, the HT was the first of the Holden motors and had the option of the 253 or 308ci.

[Big Dave]

You live in the bush don't you? Auckland/Welly it's the bike no brainer.

Elsewhere tough call seeing you already have a bike.

The Holden would take more looking after.

My wifey sees to her own equipment. You have bounced it off yours?

[Big Dave]

The HK was the last with the Chevy motors. Hard to tell from the pic, but it seems the Badge says it's a Kingswood which didn't come with V8. The Premier did have a V8 option but it was the 307 Chev. The 383 will have been fitted by an owner.

The next model, the HT was the first of the Holden motors and had the option of the 253 or 308ci.

Funnily enough my Dad had a 307 Premier.
Uncle was a design engineer at GMH Pagewood and the old boy got the hottest units first. We had an HD X2 before it and my cousin had a bunch of XU1s and L34s later on.

[Big Dave]

Hard to tell from the pic,

No taint - Premier had twin headlights.

[Motu]

Chevy engine does matter. It's just like the Toy Collector market. If it isn't in the original box (unmarked) it's just a toy.

The 383 makes it a Custom. Custom's have limited appeal to collectors. If it was built by someone famous then it will be collectible (possibly).

I"m with Jim,it's not original,someones fucked around with it putting in an engine it never had and silly wheels.It will only appeal to someone who likes bling.And it's not as good as it looks,I can guarantee it.

[Big Dave]

I"m with Jim,it's not original,someones fucked around with it putting in an engine it never had and silly wheels.It will only appeal to someone who likes bling.And it's not as good as it looks,I can guarantee it.

Why it's only the same price as a buell. Minters are $25K Au upwards - and it's restorable if you really care.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I'd go for the buell over the holden because the holden has a couple too many doors for my taste.

You'd want to really carefully (like get it up on a hoist, and probe at its nethers careful) look at the holden to make sure it was worth the money.

If its got a bigger motor (and I am by no means a snob when it comes to that stuff....) you'd want to make sure someone had but different brakes on it or upgraded the ones it had, and checked out the suspenders and stuff, made sure the diff and trans were good with the extra HP blah blah.

basically it comes down to whether you want a project (cars like that are never finished) or a bike you can just jump on and ride.

Then again, on a day like today, its the car EVERy time.

[oldguy]

where is the option for both, Ive got both.

04 Buell XB12R

85 Holden VKSS build No. 013/500

[Edbear]

No taint - Premier had twin headlights.

I plead brain fade... Of course you're right! I had a '70 HT Premier with the 308. UNfortunately it was also the last model to use the Powerglide auto, a 2-sp. The box was tough enough to use in drag racing but the two gears were hopeless on the road without at least twice the 240hp the stock 308 put out! Beautiful car it was though and I do wish I still had it!

[Coyote]

Chevy engine does matter. It's just like the Toy Collector market. If it isn't in the original box (unmarked) it's just a toy.

The 383 makes it a Custom. Custom's have limited appeal to collectors. If it was built by someone famous then it will be collectible (possibly).
That's true, but there's still plenty of people in the market that believe that a bigger motor = better, so the price for the car will still go up. Just maybe not as much as an original car.

Also, sellers generally see the original cars and think their is worth as much and won't let it go for any less. Eventually someone comes along and buys it, so the rest of the market follows suit. Bit like Red Baron and the 250 market.

[Whynot]

Neither....

agree

:jerry:

[scumdog]

That ain't a Holden engine, it's a Chev. The value won't go up, it's not an investment.

Still a nice car to own, IMO.

I beleive they came out with a Chev engine - a plodding 307. - bitsa made from a 283 with a 327 crank.

It should haul-arse witha 383 if it has all the good bits.

Tough call but I'd lean towards the Holden IF it's as good as you say.

EDIT: And as HDC above says: too many doors, more than one each side is excessive unless it's a taxi.

[Lias]

Buy the Holden.. and give it to me!!!!

[Mikkel]

And here I was thinking that KB was a Biker site... KB, now with 54% bikers. :niceone:

[Hitcher]

That Holden reminds me of Friday nights in Gore. Forget those belly-dragging cars with ridiculously phallic exhausts that go "cha". Young Gore guys go cruising in 1970s Falcons, Kingswoods and Valiants, mostly all genuine minters too. There are a couple of crackingly nice Hemi Pacers that do laps and a V8 XA Falcon wagon with the rear tailgate that opens both ways. The coolest of all of the Gore guys get their girlfriends to chauffeur them. They are so cool their names are Kelvin.

[Al]

Buy the Holden!
The Buell will still be available as they are not out of production or collectors pieces (yet).
The NEXT shed could be a wee bit smaller and then you could get a Buell for it....

hehehehe decisions, decisions

Go with what you (or your missus) wants

Al

[Mikkel]

The coolest of all of the Gore guys get their girlfriends to chauffeur them. They are so cool their names are Kelvin.

DUI does that to you...

Zero?

[Forest]

I used to have a 1967 Valiant VC.

I loved that car and really regret selling it (even though my staff called me "the White Maori" behind my back :))

However there were some downsides to owning it:

Feeling bad about driving it in the rain.
Rough running on cold mornings.
Spending $6,000 on rust repairs.
Drum brakes on all four wheels.

[Big Dave]

Yeah true. There is a big reality bites overhead living with the old dungers.

Change my vote - get the Buell.
Lowest ongoing cost of ownership of any brand of motorcycle.

[Hitcher]

Lowest ongoing cost of ownership of any brand of motorcycle.

OK, I'm now officially curious...

[Big Dave]

OK, I'm now officially curious...

Quoting Erik, Firm of Auditors rated cost of ownership - servicing - not sure what the controls were and there would be some qualifiers re capacity etc.

I can find it if you really want - but the no shims, self adjusting valves, belt drive, etc etc.

A 'big' service on the Buell is around $300.

[jim.cox]

Hmm,

Tough Choice

The Oldhen doesn't lean for corners - or rather it leans the wrong way

But you already have a bike - and I way prefer the RSVR to any Buell

Plus I have a soft spot for those old Kingspoo's...

So I vote for the cage

(My God - I can't believe I just said that)

[SPman]

A 383 is a Mopar engine - its a barstard!
Are the brakes upgraded? You're in poo city if they haven't been.

If you're into customs and rods, get the car, otherwise......
Get the Buell

[scumdog]

A 383 is a Mopar engine - its a barstard!
Are the brakes upgraded? You're in poo city if they haven't been.

If you're into customs and rods, get the car, otherwise......
Get the Buell


You trollin' or have you really never heard of 400 and 350 chev parts marraige??

And HQ discs are any easy swap if needed.

[Sensei]

Cheers to all , Had a HZ Ute with 400hp 355 Chevy in it so been there already . Just abit about the cars spec for those that clearly know about these things . Motor is a 358 not 383 as first thought .


358 cubic inch Chev motor - rebuilt about 10000 kms ago. Hyperutectic pistons, mechanical cam, sportsman 2 heads, roller rockers, Victor Junior inlet manifold, Demon Carburettor, Crane Fireball ignition, Peter Jackson gear drive. Putting out about 400hp.

Super T-10 4spd manual gearbox, new clutch.

Lowered suspension, sway bars & disc brakes, front and rear. King springs front.

Ford 9 inch diff - replaced both axles and installed a Lockrite diff locker and 4.11 gears(done by Steelie Gears) in the last 12 months.

17x8 Bridgestone mags. Flowmaster mufflers and custom stainless tailpipes.

So not a project it is finished & after spending another $10,000 on a $36,000 RSVR I don't give to fucks if it isn't standard or Original if I want something then it gets brought end of story :2thumbsup

[scumdog]

Cheers to all , Had a HZ Ute with 400hp 355 Chevy in it so been there already . Just abit about the cars spec for those that clearly know about these things . Motor is a 358 not 383 as first thought .


358 cubic inch Chev motor - rebuilt about 10000 kms ago. Hyperutectic pistons, mechanical cam, sportsman 2 heads, roller rockers, Victor Junior inlet manifold, Demon Carburettor, Crane Fireball ignition, Peter Jackson gear drive. Putting out about 400hp.

Super T-10 4spd manual gearbox, new clutch.

Lowered suspension, sway bars & disc brakes, front and rear. King springs front.

Ford 9 inch diff - replaced both axles and installed a Lockrite diff locker and 4.11 gears(done by Steelie Gears) in the last 12 months.

17x8 Bridgestone mags. Flowmaster mufflers and custom stainless tailpipes.

So not a project it is finished & after spending another $10,000 on a $36,000 RSVR I don't give to fucks if it isn't standard or Original if I want something then it gets brought end of story :2thumbsup


Good one!
It sounds better than I imagined, cool power-train eh!

[JimO]

That Holden reminds me of Friday nights in Gore. Forget those belly-dragging cars with ridiculously phallic exhausts that go "cha". Young Gore guys go cruising in 1970s Falcons, Kingswoods and Valiants, mostly all genuine minters too. There are a couple of crackingly nice Hemi Pacers that do laps and a V8 XA Falcon wagon with the rear tailgate that opens both ways. The coolest of all of the Gore guys get their girlfriends to chauffeur them. They are so cool their names are Kelvin.

check out the Gore Engineering sign.....

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x67/jim157/Unknown-1-2.jpg

bogans of the world unite

[nallac]

shit the cars sounding better and better, its got some good gear in it.
a 383 sounded better, i always wanted to build one of them.
358 cui is that 30 or 40 thou over?.

[homer]

I"m with Jim,it's not original,someones fucked around with it putting in an engine it never had and silly wheels.It will only appeal to someone who likes bling.And it's not as good as it looks,I can guarantee it.

yep and the cars fucken old , who wants an old car , end of the day its just a car , get the bike .
youll never regret the buell , get the car and i bet youll be wishin you got the buell

[kneescraper]

Get the Kingswood, I love my HQ Wagon to peices, great cars! Who cares if it needs work...

Buy the car, if you dont like it, sell it and you prob would have made money and then buy a Buell...

Simple.

[Sensei]

Well went & checked out the HK today & it is in pretty good condition for 40ys old Got him to start it up to hear it running etc . If you have ever heard a 400hp worked V8 idle you will know it sounded very very Angry . So asked to go for a quick drive just to see & feel how it handled & ran on the road ,apart from been abit hard to back up out of his drive without wheels spinning we headed off down the road sounding like a Funny Car at the drags & everyone looking at us . Could only drive in 3rd gear in town as it was just to lumpy on cam so a short blast up a back street to get some idea of its potential & 10/10 for this , for a big old car it moved very quick in a short space . Will I buy it hummmmm have a couple of others to check out next week but will make an offer on it tomorrow & if he likes it then it could very well be mine bahahahaha . :niceone:

[DMNTD]

Well went & checked out the HK today & it is in pretty good condition for 40ys old Got him to start it up to hear it running etc . If you have ever heard a 400hp worked V8 idle you will know it sounded very very Angry . So asked to go for a quick drive just to see & feel how it handled & ran on the road ,apart from been abit hard to back up out of his drive without wheels spinning we headed off down the road sounding like a Funny Car at the drags & everyone looking at us . Could only drive in 3rd gear in town as it was just to lumpy on cam so a short blast up a back street to get some idea of its potential & 10/10 for this , for a big old car it moved very quick in a short space . Will I buy it hummmmm have a couple of others to check out next week but will make an offer on it tomorrow & if he likes it then it could very well be mine bahahahaha . :niceone:

Yum...I'd be buying it mate. Have fun deciding :cool:

[fridayflash]

is a chev 383 a stroker motor? 350/400sb? anyways nice old sedan but id take the buell all the way! as bigdave said its the actual living with the lod creaky,drafty vehicles which aint that much fun. still a tough choice but

[Edbear]

is a chev 383 a stroker motor? 350/400sb? anyways nice old sedan but id take the buell all the way! as bigdave said its the actual living with the lod creaky,drafty vehicles which aint that much fun. still a tough choice but

As far as I know, Dodge made a 383ci stocker as SPman says. A lot of 350 Chev motors were fitted with aftermarket stroker cranks to make them 383ci. A number of converters used a modified 400 crank and it was apparently a very popular conversion in the US.

[Sensei]

Have had a good think on this car & have figured its just to much Horsepower
to drive the family round on the weekends & enjoy it so have now placed a bid on HSV Clubsports . Sad yes but I believe the right thing to do & aleast we could take the HSV out of town etc without any worrys . If all goes well may have a Cluby by the weekend . Finger crossed :2thumbsup

[scumdog]

Have had a good think on this car & have figured its just to much Horsepower
to drive the family round on the weekends & enjoy it so have now placed a bid on HSV Clubsports . Sad yes but I believe the right thing to do & aleast we could take the HSV out of town etc without any worrys . If all goes well may have a Cluby by the weekend . Finger crossed :2thumbsup

A bit sad - the HK is cool, the Clubby passe'.

And the difference in fuel economy will be eaten up the the Clubbys depreciation rate.

Still, it is YOUR decision.

[Sensei]

Done deal & happy . The drive home made it very clear what is the better car by a country MILE ! If you can find a 215KW Clubsports with 112,000ks on the clock for $13k then you'll be as fucken stoked as I'm right know :niceone:

[McJim]

Done deal & happy . The drive home made it very clear what is the better car be a country MILE ! If you can find a 215KW Clubsports with 112,000ks on the clock for $13k then you'll be as fucken stoked as I'm right know :niceone:

I dunno - I managed to get a 190KW 2003 Falcon for $12K with similar mileage. How old is your Clubsport?

[Sensei]

I dunno - I managed to get a 190KW 2003 Falcon for $12K with similar mileage. How old is your Clubsport?

VS 1997 Factory HSV spec build 1374 . Thats a good deal too for Falcon but was after something that everyone didn't have

[JimO]

get rid of those fucken orrble wheels

[Sensei]

Yea I have always thought they looked shit too but now I own one that is so original I have come to like them in a strange way ? Still may put some 18" on it sometime but just enjoying the Cruz as it is . :niceone:

[ynot slow]

Coool it comes with the twin exhausts?That way it's easy to push like a wheelbarrow when it stops p/t.

Can remember thinking when I saw an early Brock special commodore for sale about 18 yr ago the guy wanted $12500,the calais new at time was $33000?Thought shit no brainer there,the Brock will hold value,then I realised it wasn't blue oval lol.

[Sensei]

LOL yea my car was $97k new in 1997 :shit:

[ynot slow]

LOL yea my car was $97k new in 1997 :shit:

Makes the HSV clubsport 08 model seem cheap at around the same value.

Can remember when an 87 top of line corona was $30000,or the commodore calais v8 1984 model $42500,at the time my house was bought for $40000.Imagine paying say $175000 for a commodore or falcon v8 in todays value.Shit even bought my XR200 1980 model in 1982 for $1200 I think,best value bike ever,they were about $2750 new.

[JimO]

my accountant had a new mitsi starion (1984 i think) he paid $75000 for it

[nallac]

my accountant had a new mitsi starion (1984 i think) he paid $75000 for it

ya gotta be shitting me!!!!!! 75k.
jessssus.

[ynot slow]

my accountant had a new mitsi starion (1984 i think) he paid $75000 for it

Sounds true,can remember when the nissan pulsar sss was released in 1982?was about $25000 or so.The mitsi cordia/tredia were about $27500 1980,was going to buy a tredia in 1984,was a 1982 model and think it was $15000.The starion was bloody expensive but could fly.