If you grew up in Australia, chances are you’ve heard the roar of a V8 echoing from the TV on a Sunday, or from down the road when the neighbour fired up their pride and joy.
Performance cars have always been more than machines here. They’re woven into the culture, from the Mount Panorama circuit at Bathurst to the suburban driveways of everyday Aussies.
Where legends were born
Bathurst isn’t just a race. It’s the battleground where Holden and Ford cemented their rivalry, and where icons like the Torana, Falcon GT, and Commodore became household names.
Every October, Mount Panorama turned into a national stage. Families gathered around the TV, mates cracked open a cold one, and kids learned to cheer for red or blue. Those wins weren’t just trophies for the drivers. They were bragging rights for every Aussie who drove the same badge on their bonnet.
From track to suburbia
What made Bathurst so powerful was how the race cars mirrored the cars in people’s driveways. The Falcon GT (above) and Commodore SS (below) weren’t exotic machines you only saw on TV. They were sitting in the garage at home, ready to tow the trailer or do the school run during the week.
That connection blurred the line between professional motorsport and everyday life. Owning one of these performance models wasn’t just about speed, it was about identity. You weren’t just a driver, you were part of the tribe.
The end of an era, but not the passion
When Holden shut its doors in 2017 and Ford stopped building the Falcon in 2016, it marked the end of locally made Aussie performance cars. For many, it felt like losing a piece of our collective history. But the love didn’t die.
Classic models are still lovingly restored, traded, and displayed at car meets. The sound of a V8 Commodore or Falcon still turns heads at every set of lights. And Bathurst continues, now with Mustangs, Camaros, and the next generation of racers keeping the spirit alive.
What it means today
These days, we might be buying SUVs, hybrids and EVs in record numbers, but performance cars still hold a special place in the national heart. Modern models like the Ford Mustang, Subaru WRX, Toyota GR86 (above), and even high-performance versions of everyday cars like the Hyundai i30 N and the lesser-spotted Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio (below) prove that the passion is still alive.
They remind us of weekends in the shed, of road trips with the family, and of choosing sides in the Holden versus Ford rivalry. Performance cars may not dominate new car sales anymore, but culturally, they’ll always have a place in the backyard.
At easyauto123, we know a car is never just a car. It’s part of your story. And for us, very few stories have been as exciting as the one that started on Mount Panorama and ended up in the driveway.
