The 2 banned letters....

[jphanna]

Even 10 years ago when I first joined this forum the 2 letters referring to a particular model of falcon, that were the most controversial were the ones next to B and V. I remember the moderator at the time, may have even banned any mention of them, but I may be mistaken.

An uncanny resemblance to another marque, was mentioned many time before, by even myself and other forum members. That was 10 years ago.
Before I get to my point……the VN commodore was immediately considered an Aussie copy of the AUDI 100. The Audi 100 in turn was a reincarnation of the NSU RO 80. That car came out in the late 60 and in fact won their version of the car of the year!! So in very loose terms the VN commodore had a design lineage dating back the 60’s based on a futuristic (for that time) german car.

No I have been working in major public hospitals for 16 years and I get to see all the toys the doctors buy, and leave out the front (Emergency doctors parking etc) for all to see and admire. Its now 2017, and I still get to see all the toys every day and the three pointed star marque, to this day is still pumping out cars that the rear end and profile can only spell 2 letters in FORD language. The ones next to B and V. I admit that the the current crop is very very sophisticated beasts but if there was one single car that was the closest to the mercs…….the answer is still that model.

The Ford was ahead of its time, for AUSTRALIAN tastes, and that’s why it was bagged. Remembering the lineage to the VN body shell was loosely dated back to late 60’s, and when released in 1988, in AUSTRALIA, it was a hit.
If you got a Falcon model with the letters next to B and V. Next time you see one of the current fancy Mercs, with THAT rear end, just be proud to know that your car must have inspired a German designer somewhere along the way.

[GT450]

English please?

[jphanna]

Originally Posted by GT450

English please?

AU Falcon

[whitelion65]

I think he's saying, that if you squint, the rear end of the new Merc is similar to that of the AU Falcon.
I used Google translate to ascertain this ;-)

[Trevor 57]

I reckon they used the roof of the AU on some Jags (back when Ford owned Jag)

[Cav]

[whitelion65]

The Krauts have made the mistake of using a curved crease-line, against the straighter, more subtle line of the classic AU.

[ford71V8]

I had the letters C and W in mind for a lot of that post.

I'm thinking how in hell is Country and Western tied to Mercs in any way????

[stig_3754]

I think he means XC Falcon...They're next to V and B on the keyboard.

Edit: I get it now

[QLD-Bluey]

Drugs are bad Mmmkay!!

[jphanna]

while we at at it......its well known NOW, the the AU was one of the best built falcons of all. ridiculous kms being discovered on many faded and not looked after ones out there, and tough as F___K NAILS.

[Pedro]

And like the AU, I think the current crop of Mercs are the ugliest that brand has ever produced.
But I agree with the above post ... my AU 111 Ghia was the best built Falcon I have owned.

[Vesper Martini]

Originally Posted by whitelion65

The Krauts have made the mistake of using a curved crease-line, against the straighter, more subtle line of the classic AU.

I've noticed current merc Models all seem to have a crease line from the front Guard tapering down under the door Handles. (looks crap on the current ML series)
The CLS above I think the OP is referring to is the first Gen.
I think he's suggesting the AU inspired the German designers & AU drivers should take pride in that

[Dauphin]

The AU Falcon was so wonderful that I wrote a book about it!

[jphanna]

Originally Posted by Bevsta007

I've noticed current merc Models all seem to have a crease line from the front Guard tapering down under the door Handles. (looks crap on the current ML series)
The CLS above I think the OP is referring to is the first Gen.
I think he's suggesting the AU inspired the German designers & AU drivers should take pride in that

I am talking about the current cars. No doctors would be seen with a GEN 1 Merc now....... there is no doubt that although they have changed since series 1, the rear end is unmistakely still tied the the orig shape. more scultured now and tidied up to todays standards, but the basic shape, squint if you may, is STILL similar to GEN 1 Merc, and that was definately influenced by the AU falcon.

it was too futuristic for Aussies in 1998, but to purve on current merc with that shape is ok today?

i am on the AU band wagon at moment because my son has bought 5 in last 11 months. in my other thread, i mentioned he bought an AU fairlane one evening, 4 weeks ago for $1000. 12 hours later, we hooked up my jet ski and towed it 180kms in 35 degrees to the river and back. didnt miss a beat and temp guage was just above cool the whole way. i offered to buy his fairlane for double the price and he refused. i then bought an FG on weekend.

If you got an AU, be proud of it.

[NX74205]

I've never liked the CLS. The first generation CLS, in particular, was one of the ugliest cars Mercedes-Benz have ever produced, in my opinion. While I like the concept of 4 door coupes, I think Audi and BMW have executed that concept far better than M-B. The 6-Series Gran Coupe, in particular, is a work of art.

From where I'm sitting, the fact that the CLS and AU Falcon shares some similarities is not a good thing.

[jphanna]

Originally Posted by NX74205

I've never liked the CLS. The first generation CLS, in particular, was one of the ugliest cars Mercedes-Benz have ever produced, in my opinion. While I like the concept of 4 door coupes, I think Audi and BMW have executed that concept far better than M-B. The 6-Series Gran Coupe, in particular, is a work of art.

From where I'm sitting, the fact that the CLS and AU Falcon shares some similarities is not a good thing.

For Aussie tastes, the rear end was not a hit as we know. From my point of view, to have the the greatest ICON in motoring manufacturing in history, blatantly copy our humble falcon, is a hellova compliment.

[Nikked]

...hmm the Mercedes have had triangle taillights in the C-class since the early 90's...so...who's "copying" who?

[Sabantien]

It was ugly on the AU, and it's ugly on the merc, both then and now.

[Vesper Martini]

You can see the progression in the C-class models to the CLS.

Pretty sure the lovely Taurus was the inspiration for the AU Falcon, as the Falcon was nearly Axed after the e series. and replaced by the Taurus. if it wasn't so terrible at the time that probably would have happened.

[GT450]

I always thought the Taurus looked like it had been left in the sun and melted. I get what the OP was trying to say but it would have been much easier to read and understand if he'd said i think an AU was the inspiration for the CLS Merc ( which i don't really believe it was)
If you look at the XE tail light treatment you could swear Mercedes had an influence on that too , and look I said that without resorting obscure banned letters.

[gcg2503]

This topic would make even HULKBA shake his head and say WTF.

[Rodp]

I don't remember who coined it but many years ago I read someone around here remark that the rear of the AU looks like a dog taking a dump.

That said, the bodykits used on the S3 XR8 and TE/TS50's turned that squatting dog into a muscular stance.

[kcodezd]

Are you all aware that the first CLS Mercedes was in fact designed by an Australian? He is also the same person that designed the nose cone on the most famous of all Falcon coupes. And also worked for Ford Australia in the 70's. Can anyone give me his name? Trivial question.

[Nikked]

Originally Posted by kcodezd

Are you all aware that the first CLS Mercedes was in fact designed by an Australian? He is also the same person that designed the nose cone on the most famous of all Falcon coupes. And also worked for Ford Australia in the 70's. Can anyone give me his name? Trivial question.

Peter Arcadipane.

But he wasn't solely responsible for the CLS...

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Rodp

I don't remember who coined it but many years ago I read someone around here remark that the rear of the AU looks like a dog taking a dump.
.

No, that was the horrible Chrysler Crossfire (more like misfire.....)

[kcodezd]

I know he wasn't solely responsible, but a fair bit of influence. 10 points to you Nikked.

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Peter Arcadipane.

But he wasn't solely responsible for the CLS...

I wouldn't want to cop the blame alone either

[Mercury Bullet]

Originally Posted by jphanna

Even 10 years ago when I first joined this forum the 2 letters referring to a particular model of falcon, that were the most controversial were the ones next to B and V. I remember the moderator at the time, may have even banned any mention of them, but I may be mistaken.
<snip>

Took me three quarters of that post to finally get it.

Well played sir!

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by Mercury Bullet

Took me three quarters of that post to finally get it.

Well played sir!

I got it straight up. I have a lot of time on my hand (only 1 works) at the moment.