Another spot from a recent Cars and Coffee meet in Khon Kaen.
We love the old‑skool stuff, and this one is a proper slice of Aussie history with a twist. The Holden Calais was already the luxury flagship of the Commodore range back in the late ’80s, but this particular example has gone way beyond its original spec.
Under the bonnet sits a Toyota 1JZ straight‑six, tuned to a genuine 400 horsepower at the wheels (that’s about 250 up from the most powerful factory output!) — with plenty more available if extra boost was ever called for. That’s serious grunt, and it transforms the Calais from a comfortable cruiser into something that can properly mix it with modern performance cars. The swap is neat, the stance is purposeful, and those aftermarket wheels give it just the right amount of attitude.
We’d love to hear that six‑cylinder scream. Four hundred horses at the wheels feels just about right for the roads here: usable (just), fast (very), and guaranteed to keep things interesting.
More Khon Kaen cool!