Check out the variety! Everything from the coolest Silvia we’ve seen in years to a 100% legal and engineered pre-runner:

Kirk Schmidt
1989 Nissan Silvia S13

Fancy yourself some JDM flavour? Kirk Schmidt’s Nissan S13 Silvia is what most Nissan fanboys dream of. While it looks to be Seafoam Green, the colour is actually a tweaked two tone hue originally from a Land Rover.

Under the bonnet is a 400hp SR20, though Kirk reckons it’ll be good for north of 600hp. “It has a pair of cams, and a G30-725 turbo with a Plazmaman plenum and a whole bunch more,” he says. “The body is all steel, no fibreglass. There’s hundreds of hours spent on the body alone.”

That includes front guards widened 75mm, the rear a whopping 150mm wider each side to accommodate the three piece Panasport G7 wheels, measuring 17×9.5 front and 17×11 out back, with chunky tyres to match. “I have never seen an S Chassis modified like this, as they’re usually drift or stance oriented,” says Kirk. “I hope this car will earn some respect of older and younger petrol heads alike.”

Brian Galea
1966 Ford Mustang fastback (CARMELO)

Brian Galea’s ‘66 Mustang Fastback is a real showcase in how less is more. There’s no massive tubs or blowers to grab your attention in this one, just supple details through that add to one finely presented Muzzy.

At the heart is a 500hp, 347 stroker, sat behind a one-off radiator and engine cover. The Vintage Burgundy colour is plain to see, but what’s less obvious is the entire engine is painted in the same tone as the tan leather interior.

Speaking of, popping your head inside the Fastback would make any current model Mustang jealous, with premium materials used throughout, right down to the fabric-covered scuff plates. Converted to right hook as well, it’s the perfect weekend cruiser.

Michael Oliveri – Holden Commodore VL

With VL Walkies having been done quite a few times at this point, how do you set yourself apart from the crowd? Michael Oliveri opted for a brawny approach to amend that with his 1988 VL, with a wide stance and a thumping soundtrack. In the shaved engine bay sits a 403 cube iron block LS, with a 6/71 blower huffing down its gullet. Inside, the four Scheel buckets are used, following the new trend of moulding a pair into the rear seat.

In one respect it’s amazing there is room for them, given the VL has had to make real estate in its bum for 20×12 inch Walkinshaw rims, which have a five inch outer dish.

Fekete Fabrications
1970 Ford F100 (Project PRERAN)

We’ve been following Rob Fekete’s 1970 Ford F100 pre runner for some time, and it was even on display here at MotorEx two years ago in its build phase.

One thing that sets aside Robi’s builds from most is not only his attention to detail, but his scrupulous planning around rules and regulations. Every single nut, bolt, weld and component on this F100 is 100 per cent engineered and road legal in the state of Victoria.

“I do all my proper builds like this, engineered and legal for the road, but with this one I really wanted to push the limits of what’s possible within the rules,” he says.

It’s not just fancy suspension and an exoskeleton cage with bodywork, as powering the F100 is a blown, forged Coyote, and Robi took inspiration from American offroad pre runners to build this Australian-first take. We’ll have a full story on the F100 coming to the website and magazine soon.

Fekete Fabrications
1958 Chevrolet 3100 truck (APACHE)

Another Fekete Fabrications build unveiled was a customer’s 1958 Chevy 3100 truck. Whilst sleek and slammed on the outside to the untrained eye, it’s under the skin where Robi’s real touch comes into play.

The 3100 has been given a unibody conversion, airbags, and rear-mounted turbos under the tub to feed the LS up front. It’ll be sitting on one-off billet wheels, and like all of Robi’s in-depth builds, every step has been consulted and approved to be road legal and registered in Victoria.

Tony Marakis
Ford Falcon XY GT

Tony Marakis’s XY may rock GT styling on the exterior and in the cockpit, but in driveline terms, she’s a far cry from the original hot Falcons of the 1970s.

The aftermarket Cleveland block uses EFI, churning out over 700hp with the aid of some nitrous. He isn’t shifting that power through a Turbo 400 or C4 ‘box either, instead rocking a H pattern toploader.

“It’s a complete restoration, no nut or bolt has been left unturned,” says Tony. “Other than the panel beating and paint, it has been built by myself with the help of my wife and kids, under our workshop Michael J’s & Son.”

Mark Kiselis
1971 Mazda Capella RX-2

Mark Kiselis’s RX-2 Capella has been a lengthy 20 year build process, starting when he was in his 20s. “It went around to quite a few shops, then it got damaged, it was meant to get unveiled here last year,” he says. “Because of the paint colour, you have to paint the whole car when that happens!”

That colour is called Venus, a far cry from what Mazda could’ve imagined in 1971. Under the bonnet is a ProMaz-built billet 13B, backed by a three-speed Jatco with paddle shifters! “People do all sorts of gearboxes for these builds, but I wanted something simple that I could still shift myself,” says Mark. “I built it as a street car to use it, so that’s what we’ll do.”

Inside, the interior has been pieced together by Brent Parker, and the rear end is tubbed to take the big rear hoops.

Crawford Hill
1996 Chevrolet OBS

Built by the legends at Maskell’s Custom and Classics in Shepparton, Crawford Hill’s 1996 Chevrolet OBS dually is a tow rig build taken way too far.

“It was a typical cheap American build, what started as what was meant to be just an engine swap turned into a full blown build,” says Crawford. “I can’t thank Greg and the Maskell’s crew enough, it may have got well out of hand, but what they ended up building is incredible.”

What was originally a diesel truck is now re-powered with a 496ci big-block Chevy, and the whole deal sits sacked on Accuair E-level ‘bags with custom cut 24-inch Alcoa wheels.