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

Grunt Hunt: Aspirated, street-based LS build secrets

From mild through to wild, here’s how to make bulk power from a naturally aspirated LS thanks to Precision International

Inside ex-HDT XU-1 Saggy Sarah’s blown 202 Holden six

The rescued racing icon's donk gets a refresh after 15 years of track action

Dylan Auton’s Time Attack V8-powered Datsun 1600

Dylan Auton’s wild, V8-powered Datsun 1600 World Time Attack car is the culmination of a family love affair that began 56 years ago

Grunt Hunt: Holden V8 build secrets

The best options for building a stout street Holden V8 in 2025, thanks to Precision International

DTK-built REFINED FC Holden ute

Glenn Profilio asked Down Town Kustoms to imagine that Holden introduced an FC ute in 2015 instead of 1958 – and then build it for him

Benny Neal’s naturally aspirated 2JZ-GE combo

Benny Neal built this 3.0L 2JZ-GE combo for his latest project, a GX81 Mark II family-friendly JDM cruiser

Ben Fink’s pro tourer big-block-powered ’68 Camaro

When only half his ’68 Camaro came back from the blasters, Ben Fink turned tragedy into triumph by building it into an award-winning, big-block-powered pro tourer

BK Engines-built 363-cube Windsor V8 combo

BK Race Engines built this 363ci high-revving Windsor to replace an LS fitted to a customer’s Cobra

Hellcat-powered VH Charger 770 E49 R/T tribute

A cool car poster was all the inspiration Aidan Karaivanoff needed to turn his VH Charger 770 into an E49 R/T tribute with a storming Hellcat for power

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!