Wide Open Road - 7.30 Sunday, ABC1

[RET]

All the reviews I've seen and heard about this new show have been extremely positive. It is a history of motoring in Australia, made by Paul Clarke, who was responsible for Bombora (Australian Surfing Culture) and Long Way To The Top (History of Australian Rock), in recent years.

The trailer has just been posted online:

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/watchnow/?play=/tv/streams/promos/OSYD3-WideOpenRoad1-1DS_hi.flv

Australian Motoring. What's not to like?

[RET]

Did you miss the first episode of Wide Open Road last night because you were watching the rugby tragedy? Fear not! It's available on ABC iview. The first episode was terrific, covering the early days of motoring in Australia, through to the first Holden. Amongst the interviewees on that discussion is gentleman Jack Rawnsley.

http://www.abc.net.au/iview/?series=3338140#/series/3338140

It will also be replayed on ABC2 at 8.30 tonight (thanks for the tip, Leon!)

[customFC]

Thanks for the link.
Just finished watching it.......what a fantastic program.
Regards
Alex

[ridgey_didge]

I agree - it was thoroughly enjoyable and informative.  I have no regrets that I abandoned the Rugby to watch it instead.  Should be plenty of Holden shots next week - bring it on.

David

[steamman]

Loved it, can't wait for the next episode. ;D ;D

[graham_fuller]

Yep,
What a great show. Can't wait till next week.
Cheers,
Graham

[snuff69]

Bugger I missed it.  :(  But it's on ABC 2 tonight 8.30  ;D   Dave

[FCGos]

RET

Thanks for the heads up on this, a great doco and very enjoyable

[REDMR2RED]

Great show, loved it but the choice of music was totally inappropriate for the period and very annoying. I too can't wait for the next one.

[RET]

Oh Kevin,

I couldn't agree with you less about the music :o It's almost a character in its own right.

cheers
RET

[FC427]

Finally something watchable on TV  ;D ;D ;D ;D ; great show... after all the talent ,cooking and reno  programs >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( the mind got some stimulation (....FC427......

[RET]

Review of tonight's episode:

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/wide-open-road-dream-machines-sunday-october-23-20111020-1m99h.html

''NOW you can go any place that you want to go,'' the Triffids sing on the title track of Paul Clarke's fascinating three-part documentary about Australia's affair with the car. Tonight takes us from the 1950s to '60s, with fabulous colour footage of the way we were, just like an Australian Mad Men, recounting how baby boomers experienced the world from the back seat of the family sedan. We follow the rise of Jack Brabham from midget-car racer to grand prix world champion, see how car ownership equalled liberation for women and note the importance of migrant labour and the entry of Japan into the market. Then there was the hoon culture that gave us Holden's Monaro, ''Australia's first sport machine'', and Ford's GT-HO, which ''idled like a wild beast''. All that youthful energy was let off the leash at Bathurst 500, where anyone could go racing in their everyday cars. Watch them go around Forest Elbow when it was a dirt road and charge along an unfenced Skyline, with a 180-metre drop.

[Martin]

I agree - episodes 1 & 2 were great.  Pitty there's only 3. The show covers each peiod concisely, but well - and entertainingly.  Hope "Aunty" brings it out on DVD.

... and I agree that the music is most appropriate.

Martin

[RET]

Ooh I'd say there's a very strong chance it will be on DVD just in time for Christmas. "Perfect gift for Dad" and all that.

[Stash]

like your thinking RET

[NosFEratu]

so did anyone else pick up that it was an FE/FC in the "family driving in the clouds" advert?  I couldn't quite see the whole steering wheel to check out the horn ring to see if it was FE or FC.  :)

great series  :D 

[steamman]

The DVD comes out in november,it will have more in it than the tv show.

[customFC]

so did anyone else pick up that it was an FE/FC in the "family driving in the clouds" advert?  I couldn't quite see the whole steering wheel to check out the horn ring to see if it was FE or FC.  :)

great series  :D  

Definitely FE. Here's the full clip.

http://videomedia.aso.gov.au/titles/gmhfamil/gmhfamil1_bb.mp4

Regards
Alex

[RET]

Hey Kathi,

Yeah, it is an FE - even though you can't see the steering wheel, the pattern on the seat behind the wife gives it away.

The recent interview of Brabham and Tauranac together was done at the opening of the "Brabham Room" at the Illawarra Motoring Museum, about two years ago. It was an official event for the NSW Club. The queue to get old "Modern Motor" and "Wheels" issues etc autographed by both men was enormous.

That was a great day.

I'll be interested to see what additional features the DVD has. Cool!

RET

[Ah, I see Alex replied while I was checking the correct spelling of Tauranac...]

[customFC]

....and worth every minute of the wait.

Pics in this thread.
http://fefcholden.org.au/forum/index.php/topic,17735.0.html
Regards
Alex