Au Coupes

chazza · 26-01-2012, 11:39 PM

What happened to the AU Arrow coupes. Has any body seen them.

(Aftermarket) Falcon modified by Hillier Conversions and Autotek. 6.4L Windsor V8 with 370kW, six speed manual, 18 inch front and 19 inch rear Speedline alloys, Mercedes-style headlights, yellow-green colour, yellow marble dash inserts, Recaro seats.

**Peuty** · 26-01-2012, 11:56 PM

Not sure, but I prefer this one!

http://www.trueblueford.com/AU_Coupes_Overview.htm

raised by monkeys · 27-01-2012, 12:07 AM

hmm interesting, the initial development of the ;power bulge'. Kick that to the BA boys who regg on the AU all the time

chazza · 27-01-2012, 12:16 AM

A good buddy of mine who I trust saw a rolling shell coupe at a swap meet 3 to 4 years ago in outer Melb. Wish I had it....

T3man · 27-01-2012, 12:18 AM

me too

Sox · 27-01-2012, 08:43 AM

A coupe concept really appeals to me, I just don't need 4 doors, and coupes look so good.

But, why have they totally butchered the standard XR front with that nightmare above?

If I ever attempted this (and I may some day), I would leave the AU basics and pretty much just do the 2 door conversion.

T3man · 27-01-2012, 08:51 AM

It's a dream I've had since I first saw the Hillier's one but I also would do it a little differently. The main part of theirs that appeals to me is the proper extended doors and altered roofline - no point in just making a two-door sedan! But the rear quarter glass styling can be improved IMO.

chazza · 27-01-2012, 08:53 AM

But where are they now.........Car museum??????? Does anyone know!!!

On the mark there Jeff. That front end needs a makeover as well.

chazza · 27-01-2012, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3man

It's a dream I've had since I first saw the Hillier's one but I also would do it a little differently. The main part of theirs that appeals to me is the proper extended doors and altered roofline - no point in just making a two-door sedan! But the rear quarter glass styling can be improved IMO.

On the mark there Jeff. That front end needs a makeover as well.

Cam · 27-01-2012, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peuty

Not sure, but I prefer this one!

http://www.trueblueford.com/AU_Coupes_Overview.htm

Agreed! I love the 300+ Coupe..

FreddyDUZ747 · 27-01-2012, 10:11 AM

I just threw up my breakfast.looks like an american vehicle at best.I applaud the hard work carried out though.
Scorcher looks better imo

**Polyal** · 27-01-2012, 12:50 PM

I am sure a member many years ago bidded and won a shell off ebay, havent heard anything in a long time though.

I LOVE the 300+, but I also like the XR version just as much..

http://www.trueblueford.com/AU_Coupes_Hillier.htm

Look at those curves!

Although one in black with a T2 scheme would be pretty mint.

Torment47 · 27-01-2012, 12:53 PM

HAHAHAHA! that's funny reminds me of a monaro..

**Mechan1k** · 27-01-2012, 01:17 PM

I am pretty sure CHIEF bought it .... but I haven't seen or heard from him in ages.

That was the last I heard ... a couple of years ago.

Stagg · 27-01-2012, 01:30 PM

I still hunt around for them like you haha, best looking AU ever!

The red AU 300+ coupe is owned by the owner of Lane ford in Mandurah WA (about an hours drive south of the city). I went there when I was back in WA over Christmas and asked to speak to the owner about the AU coupe. The admin girl said that he didn't drive it today, he has a collection of rare fords and sometimes drives the 300+ coupe to work and parks it in the showroom, so if your ever around there at the right time you'll get to see it

Also, have a look at this:

http://fordforums.com.au/showthread....light=au+coupe

The Hilliers built two coupes, one bring a red one (it was one of the brothers daily drivers, forgot which brother though) and obviously it's still in the same condition it was when they first built them in 2001. Interestingly the green XR coupe that the Hilliers did green coupe was actually the same coupe as the 300+, but Ford got their hands on the green coupe and dolled it up in WA with sprintex and the other guys.

There was an abortion of a coupe that someone built which had a Chrysler 300C front grille also, god knows where that ended up though..

I've also heard something about a Killa AU coupe shell. It might have been the one that Chief got a hold of (which he did for about $1200!!!) but there might have been a few more.

If the reason is that your asking about maybe buying one then it would be however much money the owner wants for it, the 300+ coupe was sold for around the $250k mark. The Hilliers in Tenterfield still own their conversion workshop, it's behind the Hilliers Nissan dealership in Tenterfield NSW. I'm not sure if its still the brothers or if it's some other bodybuilders who they hire, but if your serious about a coupe and want the cash I would call up Hilliers Nissan.

**Polyal** · 27-01-2012, 01:40 PM

I recall a conversion cost of about $50k at the time, you provide the car of course. The 300+ got the 4.6L so that would add a fair wack of cost. $250k is a bit rich..Id be getting a Lambo Diablo...LOL

MGGT RAA · 27-01-2012, 10:18 PM

I've seen the red 300 a few times (i live in mandurah), he takes it to local cars shows etc... It was on the All ford day cruise last year aswell. The pics dont do it justice, it dosnt just look like a 2 door AU, it just looks awesome!

**SSD-85** · 27-01-2012, 10:27 PM

Much prefer the shape of the Hillier oxford green job compared to the 300+ or Arrow. They pulled it off so well.
Ive always wondered why Ford have been so paranoid in re-releasing a coupe. Sure, it may not have sold well, but if they got the jump on Holdens Monaro then it wouldve been the ultimate "image" car for Ford.

And I tell you, Id have one in my driveway no question. And it would NEVER leave me.

Stagg · 27-01-2012, 10:28 PM

so i also wonder where the other coupes went... There was the red xr coupe and not sure who the owner is. Or the arrow coupe and the coupe shell. Maybe someone should ask chief what he did with the shell? Also if anyone else actually had a conversion done by the hilliers after the coupes that we already know. Interestingly enough, dan in wa (cat600) almost bought the 300+ sedan from millard a while back, while the red coupe was for sale.

DaveTE · 28-01-2012, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stagg1991

so i also wonder where the other coupes went... There was the red xr coupe and not sure who the owner is. Or the arrow coupe and the coupe shell. Maybe someone should ask chief what he did with the shell? Also if anyone else actually had a conversion done by the hilliers after the coupes that we already know. Interestingly enough, dan in wa (cat600) almost bought the 300+ sedan from millard a while back, while the red coupe was for sale.

Yes the red XR coupe was the best looking. It was done by same mob as the Arrow. There was an article on the green and red coupes in I think it was australian muscle car magazine early on editions.

DaveTE · 28-01-2012, 10:10 AM

http://www.trueblueford.com/AU_Drawings.htm

BOTTLEDUP · 28-01-2012, 10:47 AM

Id say the 300+ is my pick for overall look, but maybe with more of a T3 oriented bodykit, especially the wing... Look pretty good in Narooma blue I think. When I win lotto I'll build one.

leonbray · 28-01-2012, 11:14 AM

http://www.trueblueford.com/AU_Drawings.htm

This link

BTW - has anyone seen the light set up on the 300+

Lukeyson · 28-01-2012, 11:47 PM

I went there once back in 2004 when i was in Tenterfield for my old job, hung around their workshop for hours admiring their work they were working on one just like the car in OP's pics.

Haven't heard much about them since the April 2006 fire.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqNoK5ndseA