Review written on 5/1958.
Competition in the Shooting Brake segment has just gotten a little more heated. Durack has launched the 4189. Is this Shooting Brake enough to unseat the Arrow or will it be worse than the Rigorous. Don't worry! We have the answers.

Even though the Durack 4189 wasn't designed for it, our first test was the track. Right away we knew this Shooting Brake was an under performer. The 49 hp @ 2706RPMs 1228 cc V8 engine was too weak to move us around the track at any decent speed. This lackluster combination could only bring us to a top speed of 58 mph and on the strip do Not Applicable acceleration. The sub-par 77 lb-ft of torque, the vehicle was only able to handle towing 862 lbs which means you shouldn't use this for your boat. The Durack 4189 handles smoothly and can really turn a corner for a Shooting Brake. While it is certainly not a race car, it can handle any real world situation you throw at it.

While the Durack 4189 won't win any awards, It won't turn heads, and it certainly doesn't have a wow factor. The 4189 does have a very well design interior. It may not be top end, but it is more than enough for long trips and everyday drivers. It makes you feel good about life. Without feeling pompous.

In terms of passenger and cargo space the Durack 4189's 40 cu-ft could be considered quite adequate for its class. The seats are roomy enough for almost every person, it can store what you would expect, and there is still enough room left over to have a bunch of knickknacks. It's hard to see where Durack could improve this car. It's good. Very good.

It may not be much in this day and age, but the Durack 4189 is above its class average when we looked at the physical quality of the machine. While other manufacturers cut corners, Durack looks to keep their image and public perception high. They do a good job at that with the 4189.

The Durack 4189 is a reliable car that we would trust our dear old grandmother with. These things are almost bulletproof.

The folks over at Durack did a good job when it came to fuel economy. The 4189 gets a 23.6 mpg city and which is nothing to scoff at. While it may not be best in class, it is well above average.

While the Durack 4189 is certainly impressive in term of safety, it's not overly designed in this fashion in a way that would imped its enjoyment. Never the less this vehicle is more than safe enough for even the most uptight and poor drivers among us.

The Durack 4189 fits the mold of your prototypical Shooting Brake. It meets all the necessary requirements of being a good Shooting Brake and at times is quite enjoyable. It may not be the best. But it is still a good Shooting Brake.