UNVEILED at Street Machine Summernats 30, Peter Hinz’s ’51 Chevy pick-up was one of the standout cars from the elite hall. Built in just over ten months by the guys at Pat’s Pro Restos, the silver stunner is far from the ratty old truck she started out as. While it retains most of the original panels, a brand-new one piece bonnet was hand fabricated and the rear wheel arches pumped a couple of inches wider. The rest was massaged to fit together nicer with slimmer panel gaps.

Underneath, the body sits on its original Chev chassis, though it has been boxed and smoothed for a cleaner look. Suspension is by a pro-touring style Heidt’s Mustang II-based double A-arm independent front and TruTrac-enhanced nine-inch rear on QA1 coil-overs. Peter reckons the old I-beam front end tried to kill him one day driving through the Gold Coast Hinterland, this new setup should steer a bit nicer.

Power comes from a stout 383-cube small-block Chev filled with all the good gear. It happily makes 450hp all day and Peter reckons it’s a really nice cruising motor. A four-speed TH700 with a lock up converter handles the gears, so once it hits the street the whole setup should be perfect for a relaxing Sunday drive. There’s even air-con.

The car came home from Street Machine Summernats with a bunch of silverware, cleaning up in the Street class. Peter took out Top Judged Street, 3rd Top Engine Bay, 3rd Top Interior, Top Standard Paint, Top Bodywork and, after a strong performance in the driving events, Top Street Overall. Top effort!