One of the best parts about Meguiar’s MotorEx is that it never fails to unearth a bunch of cool new metal that we haven’t encountered before. Aside from the fresh crop of unveil cars, we bumped into a bunch of new cars that piqued our interest for one reason or another. In no particular order, here they are!

Les Gulan, G-Pak Torana

G-Pak Toranas only came with bog stock 202s, but Les Gulan’s example is packing a lot more fire power, thanks to a Harrop-blown LS3, backed by a TH400 and 9in diff with Trutrac. Underneath is a four link with Wilwood stoppers.

Bruno Cavallo, HK Monaro

There were a bunch of HK/T/G Monaros on display at MotorEx, but you can’t have too much of a good thing as far as we’re concerned. Bruno Cavallo’s Elite Street Customs-built HK coupe was resplendent in its red-on-white colour scheme. Powered by a tickled GM LSA crate engine, the car runs one of United Speed Shop’s super-trick Magnum IFS front ends along with a ‘glide and nine-inch, and rolls on a set of Billet Specialties Comp 7 wheels, wearing 255/60 ET Streets under the bum.

Mark Peters, HK Monaro

On the subject of HK Monaros, how drop-dead gorgeous is Mark Peters’s example? With a wicked pro street stance and a considerable grip on the earth coming by way of 325/50/15 ET Streets, it’s powered by a thumping 434ci small-block Chev that’s good for 650hp. The underpinnings have been upgraded by way of a Rodtech front end with rack and pinion steering, a four-link rear end and coil-overs and Wilwood anchors at all four corners.

Peter Gough’s Model A

If Peter Gough’s charming 1928 Ford Model A Tourer could talk, it would spin some incredible yarns. The weathered exterior belies the modern drivetrain and underpinnings, with the LS1 V8 somewhat disguised and mated to a 4L60E overdrive auto, which in turn funnels grunt rearwards to a limited slip Jag IRS diff. The factory chassis remains, but the front end is custom made and features tubular A-arms, coil-over shocks and Commodore rack and pinion steering. It looks cool as hell and Peter drives it – often and everywhere – sometimes with a vintage caravan in tow. How good!

Ron Ziessler, HQ Holden

Who would have thought that a Holden V8 in an HQ would become the road less travelled, but it’s 2023, and with LS swaps now the go-to move, here we are. But the five-litre bolted to Ron Ziessler’s ’72 HQ sedan is no garden variety 308 – it runs the incredibly sought after twin-throttle body EFI setup from a VL SS Group A Walkinshaw. ‘Leadfoot’ was six years in the build and is draped in striking Super Maranello Red paint. We featured the car way back in SM, August 2000.

1956 F100

QLD-based BMV Engineering can do no wrong, and this ’56 F100 is case in point. The first thing you notice is the epic billet wheels – 22x10in on the front and 24x12in on the rear. But it’s no slouch in the powertrain department either, with a 600ci Steve Schmidt- built big-block Ford good for 800hp, a Turbo 400 trans, and a Race Products nine-inch rear end. The truck runs Shockwave airbags all ‘round controlled by an Accuair setup, and if it happens to take your fancy, it’s for sale!

Michael Furnari, LC Torana

Powered by 253 cubic inches of Holden’s finest, Michael Furnari’s LC Torana two-door is neat as a pin. It rolls on Simmons FRs, with meaty 19x10s on the rear wearing 275-wide tyres, and the paint is Holden Quicksilver metallic. Michael credits his brother Nick and father Nino for their assistance with the build.

1969 Pontiac GTO

How good are Pontiac GTOs? This one is packing 502-cube Chev power, backed by a TH400 and 9in diff with four link and coil overs all ’round.

Rodney Coleman, HK Monaro GTS

So many rad HK Monaros! This one was edging more towards the old-school, with tunnel-rammed 327 small block power, hidden under a subtle reverse cowl scoop.

Nick Giles & Meaghan George, 1965 Mustang

Nick and Meaghan’s Muz is a classy bit of kit, with Carbon Elipse paint contrasting with El Nino Orange highlights. Under the bonnet is a 302 Windsor with Holley Sniper EFI, backed by a four-speed Toploader ‘box and a McLoed hydraulic clutch.

Underneath is a Castlemaine Rod Shop IFS, with Wilwoods all ’round and. Inside, we’ve go a custom dash with Dakoda Digital guages and a serious stereo set up