An American visiting Sydney has been blown away by ‘very regular’ cars seen everyday on Australian roads.
Self-confessed revhead Wasteland Firebird from Arizona posted a video of himself ‘freaking out’ after seeing so many strange vehicles.
But his excitement about work utes and basic model Fords, Holdens, Toyotas, Suzuki’s and Citröens was lost on most Aussies – although they appreciated his ‘enthusiasm’.
The American was buzzing about this Suzuki Swift he found on a Sydney sweet
‘I’m so excited about all the cars that there are in Sydney, Australia,’ the cowboy-hat wearing American says in the video.
‘Holden Astra! The reason I am so excited about these is that we got these in the US briefly and I bet most of you don’t even know that.
‘I know this because I went to a Saturn dealer and they had the Astra. I’ve never seen one since.’
The content creator currently living Down Under on a four-year working visa also made a fuss about the wide range of imported vehicles.
Firebird said the US had a few coverable MGs back in the 1970s but they’ve largely disappeared (MG pictured)
Wow – a Holden Astra! The content creator said he’s only ever seen the car on one occasion in the US
This Peugeot compact van was a bit hit with the American revhead who said they don’t get French vehicles in the US
‘Citröen, Peugeot, we don’t get anything French in the US,’ he said. ‘Toyota Hi-Lux. We kinda have that but it’s different.
Firebird was also taken aback by Australia’s range of small cars.
‘Suzuki Swift! We got a couple of these in the 1990s and they were really cool, but we don’t get these anymore,’ he said.
‘MGs, we had a few convertibles back in the 1970s but that’s about it.’
The American revealed that living in Australia he’s been driving a Suzuki Jimny because he wanted to drive something in Australia that you ‘can’t get in the US’.
An American visiting Sydney has been blown away by ‘very regular’ cars seen everyday on Australian roads
The American revealed that living in Australia he’s been driving a Suzuki Jimny (pictured) because he wanted to drive something in Australia that you ‘can’t get in the US’
During the video he goes on to explain that people in America think only a car with a flat bed tray – not a 4WD – is called a ute.
‘But they also call a pick-up truck here a ute as well.’
‘So when someone says pick-up truck in Australia you actually don’t know if they are talking about a pick-up truck or a car.’
‘And what is it with the beds in Australia? The trays are all different. In the US it would all just come with the truck, but here they have this aftermarket thing.’
Firebird revealed he’s still coming to terms with driving on the left hand side of the road after spending his entire adult life motoring on the right.
‘The weirdest thing about driving on the other side of the road is that I accidentally say right turn when I mean left turn and I accidentally say left turn when I mean right turn,’ he said.
‘That’s because when I say make a left, I mean make a turn that crosses the traffic.’
During the video he goes on to explain that people in America think only a car with a flat bed tray – not a 4WD – is called a ute
Firebird is excited to see a classic Australian-made Ford GT in the window of a car dealership
He also took aim at Australia’s strict rules around speeding and modifying cars.
‘You really can’t modify your cars here,’ he said. ‘There are so many laws against modifying your cars and you can’t speed.’
‘In the US people just go at whatever speed they want to go at and what is the worst thing that will happen, you’ll get a ticket? Here they crush your car if you speed.’
While no Australian state is permitted to turn a driver’s car into a cube for going over the speed limit, New South Wales police do have the power to impound vehicle for three months if you’re car caught street racing or driving 45km/h above the limit.
Modifying cars is permitted but strict rules do apply.
Self-confessed revhead Wasteland Firebird from Arizona (pictured) posted a video of himself ‘freaking out’ after seeing so many strange vehicles on Sydney streets
Confused Aussie commenters welcomed his excitement but couldn’t resist poking fun at the visitor.
‘Not surprised he’s fascinated by cars considering he arrived on horseback with a Smith & Wesson in his britches…’ one person joked.
Another wrote: ‘Really love that you’re excited for all the cars, not just the ‘cool’ ones, absolutely infectious enthusiasm.’
A third said: ‘A big V8 or a Suzuki. It doesn’t matter what it is. A genuine motoring enthusiast. This is such an awesome video.’