Introducing the Cars That Made Australia podcast, with Tim 'Rosso' Ross.

If you love a good Origin story — whether it’s footy or cars — this one’s for you. With the NRL season wrapped up and Bathurst just around the corner, it’s time for an oh-so-70s Australian Icon — Panel Vans!

This episode looks at the rise of the Panel Van, a car that never raced at Bathurst but definitely got you there — and gave you a place to crash after a few too many Beam cans. From surfers to petrolheads, these vans became the ultimate custom lifestyle vehicle, a freedom machine upholstered in brown crushed velvet.

Listen via Apple Podcasts

Listen via Spotify

Thanks to eBay. Shop on eBay. Where you can find parts for every project car, from sellers you can trust.

Disclaimer:  eBay is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of the brands discussed in this podcast episode. The spokesperson featured in this episode, Paul Maric, is not an employee and is sponsored by eBay specifically for the purposes of this episode.

Introducing the Cars That Made Australia podcast, with Tim 'Rosso' Ross.
If you love a good Origin story — whether it’s footy or cars — this one’s for you. With the NRL season wrapped up and Bathurst just around the corner, it’s time for an oh-so-70s Australian Icon — Panel Vans!
This episode looks at the rise of the Panel Van, a car that never raced at Bathurst but definitely got you there — and gave you a place to crash after a few too many Beam cans. From surfers to petrolheads, these vans became the ultimate custom lifestyle vehicle, a freedom machine upholstered in brown crushed velvet.
<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/cars-that-made-australia/id1681972497">Listen via Apple Podcasts</a>
<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4y2OWVCRvVHI35BOdW1msS?si=5dd876cd7dc24243">Listen via Spotify</a>
Thanks to eBay. Shop on eBay. Where you can find parts for every project car, from sellers you can trust.
Disclaimer:  eBay is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of the brands discussed in this podcast episode. The spokesperson featured in this episode, Paul Maric, is not an employee and is sponsored by eBay specifically for the purposes of this episode.

Australians have a long-standing love affair with the automobile and when, in 1948, the first Holden came off the production line, our cars also became part of our national pride. 

Our cars do more than take us from A to B, they are freedom on four wheels. What we drive reflects our personalities, and our aspirations, and even allows us to let out our inner bogan. 

This is the story of the car that your folks bought home when you were a kid and you climbed all over the back seat. It’s the car that you crammed into on those hot summer road trips. It’s that model that you saved up for when you were a teenager or the car that your friend has that took you out of the suburbs. It's the car that you were brought home in from the hospital (potentially without being secured properly).

This is the story of the people who drove them and the people that rode in them... this is the story of the Cars That Made Australia.

Australians have a long-standing love affair with the automobile and when, in 1948, the first Holden came off the production line, our cars also became part of our national pride.    Our cars do more than take us from A to B, they are freedom on four wheels. What we drive reflects our personalities, and our aspirations, and even allows us to let out our inner bogan.    This is the story of the car that your folks bought home when you were a kid and you climbed all over the back seat. It’s the car that you crammed into on those hot summer road trips. It’s that model that you saved up for when you were a teenager or the car that your friend has that took you out of the suburbs. It's the car that you were brought home in from the hospital (potentially without being secured properly).   This is the story of the people who drove them and the people that rode in them... this is the story of the Cars That Made Australia.

Cars That Made Australia Shared SOO

If you love Stories of Origin, you'll also love the Stories of the Cars That Made Australia, with Tim 'Rosso' Ross

Listen via Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/cars-that-made-australia/id1681972497

Listen via Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4y2OWVCRvVHI35BOdW1msS?si=cf54f89c6df547f2

Since 1980, State of Origin rugby league has been a treasure trove of remarkable stories.

They involve mateship, resilience, winning against the odds. Pain, refusal to quit. Underdogs triumphing in the face of doubt. The most romantic elements of sport.

Stories of Origin features Origin greats Allan Langer, Brad Fittler, Billy Slater, Paul Vautin, Wally Lewis, Phil Gould, Andrew Johns, Cameron Smith, Jonathan Thurston, Darren Lockyer, Paul Gallen, Ricky Stuart, Ben Ikin, Chris Close and many more. The podcast series taps into their experiences and unwraps new angles on their Origin careers.

You’ll hear some classic yarns from on the field and inside the dressing sheds. It is compulsory listening for any sports fan.

A Wide World of Sports and 9Podcasts production.

If you love Stories of Origin, you'll also love the Stories of the Cars That Made Australia, with Tim 'Rosso' Ross
<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/cars-that-made-australia/id1681972497">Listen via Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/cars-that-made-australia/id1681972497</a>
<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/4y2OWVCRvVHI35BOdW1msS?si=8a1066f1316c4820">Listen via Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4y2OWVCRvVHI35BOdW1msS?si=cf54f89c6df547f2</a>
Since 1980, State of Origin rugby league has been a treasure trove of remarkable stories.
They involve mateship, resilience, winning against the odds. Pain, refusal to quit. Underdogs triumphing in the face of doubt. The most romantic elements of sport.
Stories of Origin features Origin greats Allan Langer, Brad Fittler, Billy Slater, Paul Vautin, Wally Lewis, Phil Gould, Andrew Johns, Cameron Smith, Jonathan Thurston, Darren Lockyer, Paul Gallen, Ricky Stuart, Ben Ikin, Chris Close and many more. The podcast series taps into their experiences and unwraps new angles on their Origin careers.
You’ll hear some classic yarns from on the field and inside the dressing sheds. It is compulsory listening for any sports fan.
A Wide World of Sports and 9Podcasts production.

Since 1980 State of Origin rugby league has been a treasure trove of remarkable stories. Stories of Origin features the Origin greats and taps into their experiences.

Stories of Origin

Every car you see on the road is like a chapter in Australia's big book of stories. Our cars aren't just ways to get from A to B - they're time capsules on wheels, each one telling a story about who we are and where we've been.

Cars That Made Australia

Stories of Panel Vans

The Holden Statesman and Ford Fairlane were more than simply bigger Commodores and Falcons, they were Australia’s answer to luxury on four wheels, symbols of quiet success and Aussie pride. These oversized but understated sedans were for the boss, the politician, the bloke who’d made it without needing to shout about it —  they were built for the times. They were more than just roomy interiors and analog clocks; they were a mark of status in a simpler time, when “made in Australia” still had real meaning.

In this episode, we’ll explore how the Statesman and Fairlane went from local luxury to nostalgic relics, what they meant to a generation chasing the Aussie dream, and why they still hold a place in our hearts — even if our tastes have shifted to hatchbacks and SUVs.

Special thanks to:
Tony Davis
Russell Howcroft
Harvey Miller
Owners Rob & Martin

Thanks to eBay. Shop on eBay. Where you can find parts for every project car, from sellers you can trust.
Disclaimer: eBay is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of the brands discussed in this podcast episode.

The Holden Statesman and Ford Fairlane were more than simply bigger Commodores and Falcons, they were Australia’s answer to luxury on four wheels, symbols of quiet success and Aussie pride. These oversized but understated sedans were for the boss, the politician, the bloke who’d made it without needing to shout about it —  they were built for the times. They were more than just roomy interiors and analog clocks; they were a mark of status in a simpler time, when “made in Australia” still had real meaning.
In this episode, we’ll explore how the Statesman and Fairlane went from local luxury to nostalgic relics, what they meant to a generation chasing the Aussie dream, and why they still hold a place in our hearts — even if our tastes have shifted to hatchbacks and SUVs.
Special thanks to:
<ul>
<li>Tony Davis</li>
<li>Russell Howcroft</li>
<li>Harvey Miller</li>
<li>Owners Rob &amp; Martin</li>
</ul>
Thanks to <a href="https://www.ebay.com.au/vlp/motors">eBay</a>. Shop on <a href="https://www.ebay.com.au/vlp/motors">eBay</a>. Where you can find parts for every project car, from sellers you can trust. Disclaimer: eBay is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of the brands discussed in this podcast episode.

Holden Statesman & Ford Fairlane: Local Luxury

Oh la la... what can we say about French cars? They were baguettes on wheels, a rolling slice of European flair that somehow found their way into Australia’s heart.

Whether it was the chic Citroën DS or the oddball Renault 4CV, these cars had something special — sophistication with a side of quirk. Sure, they were unpredictable and a bit unreliable, but that’s what made them memorable.

In this episode, we explore how these eccentric Frenchies not only survived Aussie roads but also found their tribe of equally strange and cool drivers — academics, architects, maths teachers, comedians, rock stars, and anyone who doesn’t just watch movies, but films.

Special thanks to:
Tony Davis
Laura Cook and the National Museum of Australia
Rob Hirst
James Ward and drive.com.au

Thanks to eBay. Shop on eBay. Where you can find parts for every project car, from sellers you can trust.
Disclaimer: eBay is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of the brands discussed in this podcast episode.

Oh la la... what can we say about French cars? They were baguettes on wheels, a rolling slice of European flair that somehow found their way into Australia’s heart.
Whether it was the chic Citroën DS or the oddball Renault 4CV, these cars had something special — sophistication with a side of quirk. Sure, they were unpredictable and a bit unreliable, but that’s what made them memorable.
In this episode, we explore how these eccentric Frenchies not only survived Aussie roads but also found their tribe of equally strange and cool drivers — academics, architects, maths teachers, comedians, rock stars, and anyone who doesn’t just watch movies, but films.
Special thanks to:
<ul>
<li>Tony Davis</li>
<li>Laura Cook and the National Museum of Australia</li>
<li>Rob Hirst</li>
<li>James Ward and drive.com.au</li>
</ul>
Thanks to <a href="https://www.ebay.com.au/vlp/motors" data-stringify-link="https://www.ebay.com.au/vlp/motors" data-sk="tooltip_parent">eBay</a>. Shop on <a href="https://www.ebay.com.au/vlp/motors" data-stringify-link="https://www.ebay.com.au/vlp/motors" data-sk="tooltip_parent">eBay</a>. Where you can find parts for every project car, from sellers you can trust. Disclaimer: eBay is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of the brands discussed in this podcast episode.

French Cars and the Citroën DS: Tres Bien

The Mini Moke wasn't just a car, it was an oddball on wheels, automotive fun in its simplest form.

Originally designed as an army runabout, it never quite made the cut... but somehow found its place in beach towns, resorts, a few Bond films, and even Bass Strait.

With no doors, no roof, and barely even an engine, somehow it defied the odds and became a cult classic, perfect for sun-soaked adventures in places like Magnetic Island and the Gold Coast.

The Moke was a ride of cheap thrills, a sense of adventure, and a cheeky personality in a comically small package.

In this episode, discover how a car that wasn’t very good at anything somehow became kind of perfect for everything — if you didn’t mind a bit of sunburn along the way.

Special thanks to:
Tony Davis
Watto
Ben
Hans Tholstrup

Thanks to eBay. Shop on eBay. Where you can find parts for every project car, from sellers you can trust.

Disclaimer:  eBay is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of the brands discussed in this podcast episode. 

The Mini Moke wasn't just a car, it was an oddball on wheels, automotive fun in its simplest form.
Originally designed as an army runabout, it never quite made the cut... but somehow found its place in beach towns, resorts, a few Bond films, and even Bass Strait.
With no doors, no roof, and barely even an engine, somehow it defied the odds and became a cult classic, perfect for sun-soaked adventures in places like Magnetic Island and the Gold Coast.
The Moke was a ride of cheap thrills, a sense of adventure, and a cheeky personality in a comically small package.
In this episode, discover how a car that wasn’t very good at anything somehow became kind of perfect for everything — if you didn’t mind a bit of sunburn along the way. Special thanks to:
<ul>
<li>Tony Davis</li>
<li>Watto</li>
<li>Ben</li>
<li>Hans Tholstrup</li>
</ul>
Thanks to <a href="https://www.ebay.com.au/vlp/motors" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.ebay.com.au/vlp/motors&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1728535202747000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2KYVzT_WIuKwN6ma7UgkwS">eBay</a>. Shop on <a href="https://www.ebay.com.au/vlp/motors" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.ebay.com.au/vlp/motors&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1728535202747000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2KYVzT_WIuKwN6ma7UgkwS">eBay</a>. Where you can find parts for every project car, from sellers you can trust.
Disclaimer:  eBay is not affiliated with or endorsed by any of the brands discussed in this podcast episode.

Stories of Panel Vans

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