TD2000 - Australian's forgotten ragtop
This excellent article by the Financial review's Tony Davis captures the essence of what the TD2000 project. launched in the mid-1980s, was intended to recreate.
The TD2000 is not a home built-replica or a VW based conversion intended to mimic the looks of the car Tony describes. It was a ground up recreation of what a 1990s TD would have been like if, as had happened with Morgan in Britain, the original had been updated with new technology including modern engines and a five-speed gearbox, four-wheel-disc brakes, slightly more comfort (heater and radio) and improved seats. The TD2000 is primitive where it counts and up-to-date in terms of performance, safety and reliability. The cars are also classics in their own right. The last of the 100 cars built at Ararat were manufactured in 1992 which means the youngest "original" TD2000 is now 23 years old. While the vast majority of them have survived I fear many are polished more frequently than they are driven and that most current owners haven't taken time out to fang one down a dirt mountain road and discover just what a capable car they are. These are tough little cars that should be driven hard.