Sleek, Fast and Glamorous...but
ultimately too expensive!
Most Aussies wanted the V8's,
but it was the 1.9 litre 4 and 2.8 litre 6 that
were to undergo most development for the VH's
release, both obtaining far improved fuel economy... |
It may have been in 1973 that John DeLorean decided
to set up a network of companies to design, manufacture
and market a sports car in his own image; sleek, fast
and glamorous; but it would take until 1981 for the
car to eventually make it into production.
DeLorean
managed to persuade the British government to invest
more than $140 million in the venture in hopes of stimulating
the economy in Belfast, North Ireland, where a modern
plant was constructed. American investors put up another
$31 million; among them entertainers Johnny Carson,
who contributed $500,000, and Sammy Davis Jr., who coughed
up $150,000.
The rear-engine, gull-winged, stainless-steel car that
emerged in 1981 was well received at first and developed
a cult following which helped propel it into the "Back
to the Future" films..., but the $25,000 price
tag was a good bit higher at the time than that of the
principal competition - GM's Corvette. Unsold DeLoreans
began piling up at dealerships. The factory only produced
about 8,900 cars in three years, and many of those went
unsold.
In Europe, Renault held onto their position as number
one car-maker, maintaining a whopping 13.9 per cent
of the market. Back home, the 1981 James Hardie 1000 was
stopped on lap 120 after a multi-car pile up on top
of the mountain; Dick Johnson, who was leading at the
time, was declared the winner.
And while Alan Jones
would win the US Grand Prix, the World Formula One Championship
would go to Nelson Piquet. The banchmark small car was
undeniably the Ford Laser hatchback - released earlier
in the year it would continue to gather sales momentum
throughout 1981.
In October, the General would release the next iteration
of the very successful Commodore, the VH. For the first
time a five speed gearbox was offered, along with other
options such as leather interior, cruise control and
central locking.
Obviously there were significant changes
made to the exterior, as would befit any mid-life makeover,
but most development had taken place under the hood,
particularly on the 1.9 litre four cylinder and 2.85
6 cylinder engines. The engineers were given the task
of making the smaller engined Commodores more economical,
and that they did, achieving a 12.5 and 14% reduction
for each.
The hugely successful Australian film Gallipoli, directed
by Peter Weir, was released in August and managed to
take in an astounding $11.74M at the box office.
In overseas events, Egypt's President Anwar Sadat would
be assassinated, Hosni Mubarak being sworn in as his
replacement. US President Ronald Reagan announced a
plan to increase US nuclear forces, and the Commonwealth
Heads of Government would meet in Melbourne. Poland
experienced food riots; A Soviet submarine would run
aground in Swedish waters, while a well publicised IRA
hunger strike in British prisons would eventually come
to an end.
Formula One Championship: Nelson Piquet
(Brazil) / Brabham-Ford
1981 Bathurst Winner: Dick Johnson & John French
/ XD Falcon
NRL Grand Final: Parramatta (20) def.
Newtown (11)
VFL/AFL Grand Final: Carlton (12.20.92) def.
Collingwood (10.12.72)
Melbourne Cup: Just a Dash (P.
Cook)
Wimbledon Women: Chris Evert Lloyd
d. H. Mandlikova (6-2 6-2)
Wimbledon Men: John McEnroe d. B. Borg
(4-6 7-6 7-6 6-4)
The Movies:
- 9 to 5
- The Elephant Man
- Stir Crazy
- Raiders of the Lost Ark
- Chariots of Fire
- On Golden Pond
- Reds
- Atlantic City
Academy Awards:
- Best Picture - Chariots of Fire
- Best Actor - Henry Fonda (On Golden Pond)
- Best Actress - Katharine Hepburn (On Golden Pond)
Gold Logie: Bert Newton (The Don Lane
Show and New Faces, Nine)
The Charts:
- Tainted Love - Soft Cell
- Start Me Up - Rolling Stones
- Down Under - Men At Work
- Stars On 45 - Stars On 45
- Counting The Beat - Swingers
- Wired For Sound - Cliff Richard
- Whip It - Devo
- Who Can It Be Now - Men At Work
- Jealous Guy - Roxy Music
- Endless Love - Diana Ross & Lionel Richie
Farewells:
- Joe Louis (Boxer)
- Anwar Sadat (Egyptian President)
- Natalie Wood (Screen Legend)
- Bobby Sands (Irish Republican)
- Bob Marley (King of Reggae and best known Rastafarian)
- Bill Haley (Rocker and leader of the Comets)
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