by Phil Matthews
1971
LNC Industries takes over the state distributor of VWs in QLD (Annand &
Thompson Holdings Ltd). The former Melbourne-based VW business, Volkswagen (Services)
Ltd, is liquidated once LNC writes off the losses inherited with the business.
LNC already has its own financial services division, Larke-Neave Investments
Limited.
The 60-bhp twin-port 1600cc ‘Superbug S’ is introduced in February, locally-assembled in Clayton. Macpherson-strut front with disc brakes, larger front boot in the bulbous nose, and 4-CV joint rear end. Both manual and semi-auto versions are available, with the manual Superbug S retailing for $2,144. A special tarted-up, accessorised ‘Formula Vee’ version is later available to order at extra cost. High-back US-style seats are introduced later in the year.
The 1500 Beetle is discontinued. The 1300 Beetle is upgraded to a twin-port 52-bhp version of the 1300 motor, manual only, for $2,085.
The Type 3 range is upgraded with US-style high-back front seats, just like the Superbug.
The Transporter has some important changes, including front disc brakes and rear brake pressure regulator, wider rear track, new perforated 4Jx15 wheels, optional brake circuit warning light, twin-port cylinder heads and relocated oil cooler.
19,138 Volkswagens are sold – 1,063 VW 1300s, 1,088 VW 1500s, 10,090 VW 1600s and 6,897 Transporters.
1972
LNC Industries purchases the largest VW dealership in South Australia, Light
Motors. LNC Industries, Volkswagen Australia’s parent company, moves into
their new administrative head office in the BMA Tower, 815 Pacific Hwy Chatswood.
The William St City Lanock Motors showroom, and former head office, is closed
and sold off. VWA’s head office remains at North Ryde, while the Lanock
Motors head office is relocated to the Waitara branch. Lanock Motors opens another
Sydney branch, at Maroubra. Lanock Motors also establishes a new VW Campmobile
rental business, based at the Camperdown branch.
With Datsuns outselling VWs in Australia, and more Datsuns being made at Clayton than VWs, the first discussions on Nissan acquiring part-ownership of the factory take place, but nothing eventuates.
Both the 1600 Superbug S and 1300 Beetle are updated with four sets of engine cover vents, 4-spoke steering wheel and ignition lock, white reversing lamps in the taillights, extra dash vents and a VW Diagnosis socket in the engine bay (although VW Diagnosis machines were never installed in Australian VW dealerships). Later in the year a Commemorative Edition Superbug is released, with carpets and a glovebox medallion, celebrating the Beetle passing the Model T Ford’s production total.
Type 3s also get the 4-spoke steering wheel, reversing lights and VW Diagnosis socket, as well as improved brakes and side-intrusion bars in the doors. The Transporter gets a modified engine carrier and gearbox mounting, bigger rear taillights and larger, squarer rear air intakes.
Several German-made Type 181s are imported for evaluation, but they were not released for sale.
14,909 Volkswagens are sold – 908 VW 1300s, 9 VW 1500s, 7,649 VW 1600s and 6,343 Transporters.
1973
LNC Industries gains the Australian Subaru franchise. They begin distributing
and selling the Japanese cars through their existing Volkswagen head office
and dealer network, with most of them becoming joint VW/Subaru dealers. A new
IBM 370/135 computer is installed at the North Ryde head office.
LNC Industries takes full ownership of Adelaide-based Motorised Campers Pty Ltd and their subsidiary, E.W. Sopru Pty Ltd, makers of the Sopru VW Campmobile conversion. A new Sopru head office and workshop is established in Beaconsfield St, Auburn, joining existing workshops in Adelaide and Melbourne. These Sopru campers are subsequently sold through Australian VW dealers as ‘factory’ VW Campmobiles.
In April the redesigned ‘Superbug L’ is released. Mechanically identical with the previous Superbug S, but with new curved windscreen, shorter bonnet, round ‘elephant foot’ taillights and redesigned, fully padded dashboard with two-speed fan. It retails for $2,629. The 1300 Beetle is updated with padding over its original flat dashboard, and now sells for $2,409.
The Transporter has a new strengthened front, with safety crumple zone and bigger front disc brakes. The front blinkers are moved up higher. The Type 4-based 1700cc engine is available as an option, with a top hatch at the rear.
The last year for the Type 3. It receives some minor revisions to seat mountings, door handles and lighting. Assembly ceases at the end of the year as the model is discontinued, with its place at Clayton to be taken by the new Passat.
15,966 Volkswagens are sold – 924 VW 1300s, 7 VW 1500s, 6,620 VW 1600s and 8,415 Transporters.
1974
A new era for Volkswagen as the water-cooled, front-drive Passat appears
in February, locally CKD-assembled at Clayton (replacing the Type 3). It is
available in 1300 two-door, and 1500 four-door and wagon versions. Problems
with parts supply, shipping and labour shortages cause considerable delays in
providing finished vehicles to dealers. The high performance 1500TS Passat appears
in June. The Passat is named Wheels Magazine’s Car Of The Year.
LNC Industries takes over Larke Hoskins Pty Ltd, distributors and dealers for Leyland, Jeep and Chrysler vehicles. Annand and Thompson, and Western Motors, begin distributing these vehicles in addition to VWs and Subarus.
The Superbug L gets an updated front suspension with Negative Steering Roll Radius, new front seats, a fluted number plate light cover and a bulged rear apron for a US-style catalytic converter – which was not fitted. The 1300 Beetle gets the Superbug’s large rear taillights.
The Transporter’s Type 4 engine is upped to 1800cc, while the 1600cc upright engine gets a paper air cleaner. The petrol flap is deleted and replaced by a flush cap.
All Australian VWs now have metric speedos.
14,111 Volkswagens are sold – 957 VW 1300s, 2,025 VW 1600s, 3,411 Passats and 7,718 Transporters.
1975
Nissan/Datsun decide to enter the Government’s 85% local content plan,
which would require converting the Clayton plant back to full manufacturing.
VW was still the plant owner and did not wish to make any new investments, including
turning down a serious proposal to manufacture the Golf in Australia. Urgent
discussions between Nissan Japan and VW in Germany result in VW deciding to
sell the entire Clayton factory to Nissan, effective from April 1976. The Australian
management team had no input in the decision.
Motor Producers Limited would continue for the rest of the year, but would come under Nissan control in 1976 and be dissolved in March that year. Local assembly of CKD Volkswagens would continue at Clayton, but under Nissan’s control from April 1976 onwards.
Lanock Motors (Wollongong), previously a separate company, merges completely with the Sydney-based Lanock Motors Limited. The Larke Hoskins business is financially merged with Lanock Motors, but continues to trade under their own name. VWs are sold through Larke Hoskins dealerships, while Renaults, Fiats and Hondas are added to Lanock Motors dealerships.
LNC signs a $2 million contract to supply VW Transporters to the Australian Army.
Both Beetles continue largely unchanged. In June the Superbug L’s front blinkers are moved from the mudguards to the bumper. The 1300 Beetle is discontinued at the same time. The first Golf CKD packs are imported for evaluation and assembly on the former 1300 Beetle’s production line. Assembly of the Golf begins late in the year, but due to delays and shortages of components, the Golf’s release onto the market is postponed until the new year.
The Superbug L is discontinued in November, as the strut Superbug had also been discontinued in Germany and the CKD kits were no longer available. The solitary Beetle model to continue into 1976 is the new ‘1600 Beetle’.
The Transporter received some minor improvements to the controls and seats. The 1975 model proved to be the biggest-selling year in Australian history.
15,479 Volkswagens are sold – 462 VW 1300s, 1,930 VW 1600s, 4,113 Passats
and 8,974 Transporters.