Melbourne Motor Show: Bolwell Nagari
February 29, 2008 by George Skentzos
The Melbourne Motor Show has become the stage for the re-birth of Australian sports car legend Bolwell, with the all-new Australian-made Nagari making its debut only moments ago.
The new Nagari is the dream car of Campbell Bolwell, who built the original Nagari in the 1970s in collaboration with his brother Graeme.
After giving up car making in the 1980s the brothers’ company was successful in other engineering and moulding projects but Campbell Bolwell kept his dream alive.
“I was over in Canada for few years making wind turbine blades, and when I came back I said ‘it’s time I built another car,” he said.
A true Australian-made mid-engined sports car, the Bolwell Nagari coupe features a carbon fibre composite monocoque shell, and is powered by a Toyota-sourced supercharged 3.5-litre V6 engine – similar to that developed for the Aurion TRD.
We don’t have to use Toyota but we think it’s probably the best, most suitable part for it,” Campbell Bolwell said.
It’s light, it’s efficient, all all-alloy, quad cam and 24-valve. The whole engine and transmission weighs about 230kg which is why we can make the car under a tonne.”
Weighing in at under 900kg, the sprint to 100km/h should be accomplished in supercar territory – under 4 seconds.










i like the front but the back looks crappy, and then rear lights look like they are from an integra
$ = ?
Cheers,
F-0
Now we know why they only showed front-on pictures until now! *Shudder*
Thwe reason the *real* origonal Nagari sold was because it was cheap to buy, and you could build it yourself.
This is neither.
Its headed the way of Joss, RedBack etc etc and every other aussie sportscar.Down the toilet!
The ONLY one that does ok is the Elfin, and thats because it has Holden money behind it.
Cheers,
F-0
The design looks dated already
I think its fantastic but whats the damage?
^^ they intentionally went for the retro look hence the fact it mite appear dated, overall think it works well.
Boring,uUnispired interior. Ugly Exterior, It looks like a pimpled Hatchback…
Sigh…
that is one bad interior and the rear looks like a honda CRX
LOL
Guys, you want the hear the funniest thing?
$200,000!!! L.O.L. as in 911 money
They will be very lucky to sell a handful
Game over for this underdone overpriced POS
Cheers
F-0
When i found out thins baby was made by Australians i freaked out! Because Australia doesn’t have top cars sold here like chevvy’s and vipers and ferrari.
Such a pity. The Nagari of 1970 is a perfect styling exercise that went into production. It is perfect, partly, because it is simple, uncluttered, balanced. Lucky us!
For decades I’ve waited wishing Bolwell would do what they have done – that being to reproduce the Nagari.
And now, when I’m of age & able to afford, the styling has spiraled down the toilet.
Campbell Bowell – contact me & you can have my few best styling ideas – for free.