2008 Bolwell Nagari – an Australian classic returns

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By Karl Peskett | December 18th, 2007

One of my favourite cars as a kid was the Bolwell Nagari. The combination of rarity, fibreglass body and a whacking Ford V8 nestled under the bonnet was something I’ve always dreamed would be a match made in heaven. And it was Australian to boot, made by the Bolwell brothers in Mordialloc, Melbourne.

Mel Nichols’ magazine story of driving the Nagari in the rain, drifting in third gear around long sweepers, and then having someone ask “So, how do you like the Lambo?” is etched permanently into my memory.

Well, Bolwell Car Company has released the first pictures of its new Nagari sports car.

Scheduled for its public debut at 5pm on 29 February at the Melbourne Motor Show, the Nagari is beginning final assembly at Bolwell’s Melbourne factory. Three years have apparently been spent designing, refining and creating the new Nagari so that it can be used for not only a backroad blast, but also a trip to the shops.

In a nod to the original, styling cues have been incorporated, specifically the low slung, wedge look, and the buttresses from the rear window to the boot.

While styling keeps the classic look the spec sheet has been brought up-to-date. Bolwell says the new Nagari is a mid-engined carbon fibre composite monocoque coupe powered by a quad-cam, supercharged, 3.0-litre V6, whereas the original Nagari carried its 5.0 or 5.7-litre litre V8 up front in a steel backbone chassis clad in fibreglass.

The company is talking of a 0-100km/h time of 4 seconds, achieved through a classic combination of light weight – under 900kg – and the power of a supercharged Toyota V6, broadly similar to that developed by Toyota for the TRD Aurion.

CarAdvice will bring you all the juicy details once the Bolwell Nagari breaks cover.

For images and details on the old Nagari, head to the Bolwell Car Club’s website.

Bill

Here some info from their website, http://www.bolwellcarcompany.com/ Performance targets include a 0-100 km/h time of 4 seconds, achieved through a classic combination of light weight – under 900 kg – and the power of a supercharged Toyota V6, generally similar to that developed by Toyota for the TRD Aurion.
Scott C

This will be an interesting car! Original one was one of the best looking cars of its time. For what is essentially a kit car that is pretty impressive.

But please take off those wheels and give them away to the kid down the street with the 99 lancer coupe. I used to love those roh adrenaline but cannot stand them now. Im thinking something more like a five spoke ferrari style wheel possibly or even a multi spoke wheels with a nice deep dish.. but im sure there are those that like those wheels… maybe

Will be interested to see power and weight specs. The original was powered by ford v8s and weighed barely a tonne. Would be good if they could keep this to 1100ish kg with the 5.4l ford v8…..
http://www.caradvice.com.au tony

I love it – Australians should support this car – especially as it looks damn fine
Bavarian Missile

I think I read its getting the same engine as the TRD Aurion
Also I thought it was only going to be 900 kilos!
Interesting …….at least it will be rear wheel drive…dig dig dig..hahaha
Lcat

Who says there is nothing for a Top Gear OZ to show the world.
Also really nice to have have a bit of homage to the legendary Mel.
What is he doing these days?
(Once served him in my restaurant in Scotland – 1982ish
He thought the roads there were magnificient & the restaurant even got mentioned in the next edition of CAR!)
Frugal One

Needs a V8

They are talking $100k

On drugs

Nagari sold because it was cheap and affordable

This is rubbish, they should have done better

Cheers

F-0

Rick

Nagari was never cheap dude – in fact it was quite expensive – besides – you pay for what you get…..

Me.

BM yes better when it’s RWD. The TRD V6 supercharged in a light car would go well and RWD insted of a FWD.
http://www.caradvice.com.au tony

Give me one of these over an equivalent priced Lotus! It’s not expensive at all!
Flying High

excellent…
Lcat

A lot of Ferrari design cues especially the rear buttresses which are very reminiscent of the 308GTB – I like it a lot.
Anthony

Bav Miss
“I think I read its getting the same engine as the TRD Aurion”

That would be awesome for Toyota, and the Aussie public. Anything that would encourage a RWD/AWD for the TRD Aurion.
Anthony

With a quick look… your right Bav

Pulled straight from their website:
“Performance targets include a 0-100 km/h time of 4 seconds, achieved through a classic combination of light weight – under 900 kg – and the power of a supercharged Toyota V6, generally similar to that developed by Toyota for the TRD Aurion.”
Bavarian Missile

Well there you go Anthony ………I think it was in the latest Unique cars too! Should be good then!
Guy UK boy

Send one over here, let the Stig have a thrash, I reckon 117secs around the Top Gear circuit. Won’t beat the Ascari at 114.3secs though.
David

Awesome bit of gear. The original Nagari Roadster was one best looking cars I have ever seen, much better than the coupe. As for the Toyota V6, it will probably work better in the new Nagari than an old iron V8. BUT…. it’s just not the same magic as a good old Windsor or Cleveland.
http://www.caradvice.com mr what

the nagari is a hoy looking car for sure
http://subaru Grant

Went to the club launch – saw it in the flesh. I have owned Bolwells before(3 diff models). Campbell has put together a very slick piece of equipment. Price $200,000 – $300,000 – and worth every cent. If I could afford one it would have an N1 with 2 topmount T88′s – ha ha all you petrol heads would NOT be able to keep up. Well done to Bolwell!!
Downunderdriver

What a piece of crap ! Wheels was saying it had a projected prive fo ~$300K ??? A poor mishmash of Toyota and Honda leftovers.