First published in the April 2026 issue of Street Machine

“Shortly after the whirlwind ride of my ’55 Chev (SM, Jun ’23) being a Meguiar’s Superstars finalist at MotorEx 2023, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

“I wasn’t in a great mental or physical state to say the least, and my partner Racheal could see I needed something to get my mind back on track, so it was decided that an old-school daily driver had to be built.

“After scouring through Marketplace, a rusty, white ex-police 1994 XG Falcon paddy wagon was sitting in the shed in need of plenty of love.

“I was just going to do some quick rust repairs, spot it up and leave it white, but Racheal had other ideas: ‘You’re a painter; you’re not leaving it white!’

“She suggested a burnt orange candy, so the decision was made for me.

“It has the XE front on it now, and a built version of the 4.0L SOHC Falcon six with a Crow Cams Stage 3 stick. It’s backed by a BTR four-speed auto and beefed-up BorgWarner diff.

“After another couple of surgeries to rectify complications from the cancer, I spent every spare moment in the shed, which was the best therapy for me.

“The reaction this thing has had has been amazing, from truckies blowing their horns and waving, and people pulling up next to me at the lights to have a yarn about panel vans, to people stopping for a chat at the servo when fuelling up.

“Panel vans just seem to put a smile on everyone’s face and take them back to simpler times where the world was a better place. Take time to stop and reflect – it is good for the soul.”

Want your pride and joy featured in the mag? Just send some photos of your car (minimum file size 2MB each) and a few details of what went into the build to readerscars@streetmachine.com.au.