Articles by Iain KELLY

Iain (or Marv, as heâ€™s known on the internet) has worked in automotive journalism since 2002, when he was Street Machineâ€™s work experience kid.He has contributed to a range of titles, focusing mostly on modified late-model cars, street machines and hot rods. Following his time as editor at MOTOR, Marv returned to freelancing in 2014.He has also worked with Mighty Car Mods to build cars and write two books for them, and authored the 10th anniversary book on the World Time Attack Challenge.Instagram @aka_marv

Born again XP Falcon hardtop

This early-80s show car was saved and brought back badder than ever

Richie Vegara’s Harrop-blown LS-powered 1939 Ford pick-up

Immaculately finished by Image Vehicle Manufacturing, this blown, 950hp ’39 Ford pick-up was built to shred

Family heirloom 1966 VC Valiant V8

One family’s treasured heirloom for almost 60 years, this VC Valiant is finally back on the streets after a multi-decade slumber

Peter Raditsas’s Drag Challenge-proven HG Kingswood

Peter will be returning to this year’s Drag Challenge, running in the ITF Hire 235 Aspirated class

Leigh Vella’s Pro Street HK Monaro GTS – WILDHK

While it looks like a well-used warrior from the earliest days of pro street, this 632ci, big-tyre HK Monaro is a street machine for modern times

Jason & Sam Evans’s 1955 FJ Holden Special

With a stout six-pot, tough stance and impossibly clean metalwork, Jason and Sam Evans’s mostly home-built FJ takes weekend cruiser builds to the next level

Video: Drag Challenge-bound Volvo 240 wagon sleeper

David & Tim Fettell have built this super-sleeper Volvo long-roof specifically for Drag Challenge 2025, running in the PSR 8.5 Radial class

Michael Brown’s 9-second, Barra-swapped XD ute – 06LAG

Michael Brown’s Barra-swapped XD ute packs epic smarts in a 9-second package

EJR Performance-built 434ci Clevor combo

EJR Performance’s 434ci Clevor proves simplicity can still deliver a brutal 710hp punch

1040hp, nitrous Hemi-powered 1967 Plymouth Barracuda – BAD FISH

Packing 611ci of bone-rattling, nitrous-snorting Hemi, this eye-popping Barracuda is one Bad Fish!

Tim Guinness’s Alfa Romeo Alfasud Sprint salt lake racer

After seting a new record of 125.927mph average at DLRA's Speed Week, Tim Guinness has the fastest 1500cc Production car in Australia - and it’s an Alfa!

Martin Pecotich’s blown Noonan Hemi-powered HTKO Monaro

Martin Pecotich’s blown Hemi-powered HT Monaro takes the concept of pro street to a new level

BG Engines-built blown 388ci LS combo

This 8/71-blown monster pieced together by Damian Baker at BG Engines is destined for a client’s burnout car

Drag Challenge-proven 1300rwhp Toyota Supra RZ

William Yarwood overcame a disastrous year of racing with his 2JZ-powered Supra to win the six-cylinder class at Drag Challenge 2024

Pro Touring 1964 Ford XM Futura coupe

Beauty is more than skin deep with Mike King's Ford XM Futura coupe

Michael Licciardi’s blown L98-powered WB Statesman Caprice

Michael Licciardi’s blown WB Caprice is a tough-as-nails tribute to his first car

768ci Sonny’s Racing Engines-powered HT Holden ute

ProFlo Performance changes up the pro street game with this epic 768-cube HT ute

Twin-turbo 440-cube 1986 HDT VL LE Calais

Street car, show car, or drag car? Nathan Borg's genuine HDT LE is all three, with a 1250rwhp 440ci LS, elite detailing and speed galore

Street Machine of the Year

Chad Ribbons’s 1965 HD Holden ute

Following his dad Scott's sudden passing, Chad Ribbons paid tribute by rebuilding Scott's old work ute into an a-grade stunner

Mark Sullivan’s 1966 Lincoln Continental convertible

Mark Sullivan returns with another epic Lincoln Continental, this one built for maximum lows