HOT rods took over Brisbane last weekend for the Queensland Hot Rod Show at the city’s convention centre. This year was the second running of the event at its new home of Southbank since moving from the RNA Showgrounds and the 46th year overall. Around 130 rods, bikes and customs filled the hall this year, with some of the hottest rides in the country making the trek to Queensland.

From traditional flat powered hot rods to state of the art street elite marvels boasting donks that rival your house mortgage, there was literally something for all. Even the crotch rocket racer crowd was well catered for a sprinkling of bikes. There were even live air brush painting demonstrations!

Further street cred for the Queensland show is its affiliation with Motoractive and the chance to score a Meguiar’s Superstars finalist gong, and an invite to MotorEx. This year four worthy entrants were gleaned by Owen Webb to step up to the next level.

Formalities concluded with Steve Hopes, Greg Holmes and Peter Elliot all vying for the coveted Milty award and $3k sponsored by Pat’s Pro Resto’s with Peter taking top honours for his immaculate 1934 Ford Tudor.

One car that commanded attention was this Polynesian surf wagon called Swell. Pieced together by Gavin Starr-Thomas, the unusual ride combines a 1962 Willys Jeep station wagon that’s been chopped 9 inches and mated to modified ’37 Willys front sheet metal. It’s powered by a LM7 5.3 Litre Chevy backed by a 4L60E Trans and 9-inch diff.

For young Josh Cronin and family it was more than just a bittersweet moment, unveiling his just finished ’32 Coupe that he started with his dad Paul in 2013. Sadly Paul passed away during the build and Josh completed the C&W bodied deuce with the talent of East Coast Race Cars and a host of friends. The legacy coupe earned a well-deserved 2nd in class, Top 10 and a Meguiars Finalist.

Jon and Cherilyn Kendall were super excited to be part of the unveil ceremony with their 1977 LX SS Hatch Torana. Jon started with a matching numbers SS complete with Brock prepped engine and Royal Plum paint, and transformed it into the stunning version on display.

This HT Monaro built by Autoleaders in Maroochydore and owned by Joel Lane features a Dart little M block stuffed with all the good gear, Powerglide and sheet metal 9” along with custom IFS and killer paint scheme.

Josh and Amy Evans’s stunning C&W bodied 1931 Ford Victoria continued its recent success placing 2nd in Tudor class and receiving an invite to MotorEx from Owen Webb. Pretty cool for a rod that’s seen 12 months of regular street use.

Michael Ellard’s LS1-motivated 1992 Holden Rodeo begs closer inspection. From the House of colour Brandy Wine exterior to the myriad of body mods and killer stance provided by Accuair self-levelling air bags, it’s a pure TKO. Copper coated 19” and 20” Intro hoops are complimented with copper hard lines and cream and brandy leather interior accented with donated goat hair.

Another fresh face to the street elite scene is Jason Cooke’s ’66 XP Falcon coupe expertly built from the ground up by Pat’s Pro Resto’s. It’s finished in HOK Rootbeer Candy with Schott Accelerator rims and Kangaroo hide from Elite interiors.

This wild unfinished VG Valiant coupe was entered by BMV Engineering on behalf of Jason Behan and Kellie Farraway. So far the big Val has been treated to a full chassis with four-link rear end, independent front, twin skinned floors, wrapped sills, smoothed bumpers and sheeted engine bay that features a 514ci big block.

Reece Pagel owns this neat street sleeper ’69 HT Kingswood. With a 368ci Holden stoker, manualised T400 and nine-inch don’t judge this book by its beige cover.

Owned by Gary and Di Ullmann RATN8R was built by Ullmann Engineering as a tribute to Gary’s grandfather from a 1942 Chevy truck. Build brief was to construct a hot rod from left over parts and do it all themselves.

Paul McMullin literally finished his all steel ’31 Ford just hours before hauling it to show in Sydney and then back for the Queensland Hot Rod show. Finished in PPG Claret, the genuine 5 window coupe is a time capsule of nostalgia rodding sporting a 59A flathead, triple 97s and 1940 banjo diff

Air brush artist Steph Tranter gives life to this Hemi funny car in Air Brush Alley.

Meguiars Superstar finalists presented by Own Webb; Josh Evans (1931 Ford Victoria), Sonia Piggins (1934 Ford Roadster), Michael Renfrey (1933 Ford Roadster) and Josh Cronin (1932 Ford coupe).

Steve Hopes with top honours for Street Machine with his 1968 Chevy Camaro “Sinister”.

Big winner of the show was Peter Elliott picking up top Hot Rod, the Milty and a swag of awards for his Deuce Customs bodied 1934 Ford dubbed “Simplicity”. Accolades include; Top Ten, 1st Place Tudor, Best Standard Paint, Best Interior, Best Undercarriage, Top Hot Rod of show and the Milty Award with cheque for $3,000.