Bolwell · 1970–1974
Bolwell Nagari
The Bolwell Nagari is a sports car produced by Bolwell in Australia. The original Mk VIII Nagari was built from 1970 to 1974 and the Mk X Nagari was launched in 2008.
Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Predecessor: Bolwell
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Mk VIII Nagari
Nagari is an aboriginal word meaning "flowing," and the Bolwell Nagari, also known as the Mk VIII, was the company's first full production sports car with 100 coupes and 18 Sports (roadster) made. It was manufactured from 1970 to 1974 and became the best known out of the 9 Bolwell car designs: the Mk I-VIII and Ikara. The Nagari featured a Ford 302 or 351 cubic inch V8 engine mounted in a 920 kg (2,028 lb), 2,280 mm (89.8 in) wheelbase body and backbone chassis. Other components came from Ford (suspension and dampers) and Austin 1800 (steering). Motorsport. The Nagari was a popular choice of production sports car in the early ‘70s, competing in the Australian Sports Car Championship (ASCC). Peter Warren won the 1975 Australian Tourist Trophy for Production Sports Cars driving a Bolwell Nagari.
Mk X Nagari
In late 2006 it was announced that the Bolwell company intended to produce a new, carbon fibre-bodied car under the 'Nagari' name and the model was confirmed for production in 2008. The prototype debuted at the 2008 Melbourne International Motor Show and the 2008 Sydney International Motor Show. It is a mid-engined two-seater coupé with a carbon-fibre tub, front and rear subframes and a carbon-reinforced composite body. Power comes from a fettled 2GR-FE 3.5L V6 engine sourced from the Toyota Aurion, which is available either as naturally aspirated or fitted with an optional Sprintex supercharger. In N/A form the 2GR-FE produces 200–221 kW (268–296 hp) at 6200 rpm, with 336–353 N⋅m (248–260 lb⋅ft) of torque at 4700rpm. Initially the Nagari was available with only a 6-speed automatic (with or without paddle shifting), however a 6-speed manual transmission was later developed. DC5-model Honda Integra tail-lights are used in the exterior. Standard features are limited, with prices starting around $150,000 AUD for a basic model, and can range up to $260,000 for a top-spec model with the supercharged engine and manual transmission. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the original Mk VIII Nagari, Bolwell released a Mk X Nagari 500, powered by an LS3 6.2L V8 engine sourced from the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 producing 500 hp (370 kW) at 6600 rpm, with 425 lb⋅ft (576 N⋅m) of torque at 4600 rpm.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.
Specifications
- name
- Bolwell Mk VIII Nagari
- Manufacturer
- Bolwell
- Production
- 1970 to 1974
- Assembly
- Mordialloc, Victoria
- Predecessor
- Bolwell Mk VII
- Class
- Sports car
- Body style
- 2-door coupé, 2-door Sports - roadster
- Engine
- 5.0L Ford Windsor 302 V8, 5.8L Ford Cleveland 302 & 351 V8
- Transmission
- 4-speed manual
- Wheelbase
- 2350 mm
- Length
- 4013 mm
- Width
- 1676 mm
- Height
- 1118 mm
- Kerb weight
- 927 kg (coupé) 1038 kg (roadster)
- Layout
- FR layout
Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.
More photos
Sources
- Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q891675CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolwell_NagariCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1275158864 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bolwell_Nagari_(14792341560).jpgCC BY 2.0 · Photo: Jeremy from Sydney, Australia · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.