It’s blue oval time for our 2026 Hare & Forbes Machineryhouse Young SMOTY, a competition we run for car owners 24 years old or younger with hot cars!

The competition is open to all makes and models, with the top 16 finalists chosen by us put to a public vote, were the top winners will share in $9000 in cash and prizes.

If you fit the bill, there’s still time to hit the button below to ysmoty.com before gates close on August 10. We ran a story on some of the Holdens in YSMOTY, so now it’s time for some Fords!

Anthony Crouch – 1965 Ford Falcon XP ute

“This is my 1965 XP falcon ute. I entered last year in YSMOTY when the car was still in the build, with the hopes to make it to Summernats 38. By some miracle, my amazing partner and I did it. The car was totally built start to finish in a 19 week window by only myself and my partner whilst both working full time. This included panel and paint, tubbing the rear, engine assembly and everything in between – and I mean everything! The only jobs outsourced on this car was the built C4 transmission, upholstery and the tailshaft. This is a true shed-built, home grown street machine built with every cent I’ve had to my name. It has a 347 Windsor, with Detroit Racing heads, a Lunati cam, SRP pistons and Scat bottom end. To get the car to sit as low as it does, it has had the entire rear cut out, and a Mcdonald Bros read clip installed. It has a parallel four link, with a nine-inch diff. I recently ran it at Willowbank, and got an 11.4@118mph. The car has probably done 1000kms since being finished this year, mainly pub runs! I hope in future to get it out more. I used a heap of Hare & Forbes equipment to build this vehicle, including their MIG and TIG welders, their rollers and so on.”

Ellah Vyner – 1994 Ford Falcon XG

“My car is a Galaxy Blue 1994 Ford Falcon Longreach One Tonne ute. I bought it in August 2025 from an elderly man in Chiltern, who had owned it since new. He bought it straight from the factory and had it transported to Chiltern, where it remained its entire life. I still have all the original purchase receipts in the glove box. The ute was completely original, right down to the showroom floor mats, and had absolutely no rust. I drove it in its original condition before making it my own. I lowered it with Pedders suspension, fitted new shocks, installed new leaf springs, and put my dad’s old BCI wheels from his XFN on it, running 225 tyres on the front and 235s on the rear. I colour matched the front bar and fitted a sun visor, giving it the classic grandpa spec look. Everything was finished just in time for me to get my P plates in January. About three months ago, only two weeks after finishing the build, I was involved in a minor accident. The ute was declared a repairable write off, so the entire front end had to be rebuilt. While it was apart, I also installed a new head unit, speakers, and a subwoofer. I finally got the Falcon back a month ago, and I am incredibly grateful it is still on the road. It has given me freedom to express myself and brought my dad and me closer.” Insta: @ellah_08

Alfonso Frisina – 1971 Ford Falcon XY ute

“My XY Falcon ute is much more than just a classic Ford—it’s a family legacy. When I turned 18, my Dad passed the car down to me after years of owning and caring for it. Since then, I’ve continued his vision by adding my own modifications while making sure the car stays true to its original character. It represents the bond between us and the passion we’ve shared for classic Fords. The ute was originally built to an exceptionally high standard, with countless hours spent restoring and detailing every part of the body. Finished in Deep Purple with gloss black accents and GT striping, it has a unique look that always stands out. The immaculate white interior, detailed engine bay, and attention to factory-correct finishes make it just as impressive up close as it is from a distance. Power comes from a tough 351 Cleveland, rebuilt with Speed Pro pistons, ARP hardware, Motorsport solid camshaft, 4V cylinder heads, an Edelbrock Torker intake, 850 Holley carburettor, Pacemaker extractors and a 3.5-inch twin exhaust. Behind the engine is a Toploader four-speed manual, heavy-duty clutch, and a bulletproof nine-inch differential with 3.7:1 gears, creating a combination that delivers both reliability and serious performance. Since taking ownership, I’ve continued improving the ute with carefully selected upgrades while preserving its classic appearance and engineering. Every modification has been chosen to complement the original build rather than take away from what makes the car special. This XY isn’t just a show car—it’s a piece of family history. It carries years of hard work, dedication and memories from my dad, and now it’s my turn to continue that story. Owning and driving this ute is something I’m incredibly proud of, and I hope to keep it in the family for generations to come.” Insta: @alfonsofrisinaa

Charley May Goldsmith – BA Falcon ute

“MISBAVN is a project car built by my Dad, Jeremy, and I. Dad finished his car build of a 1TUFFVQ in 2024, and since then, I’ve been obsessed with being in the passenger seat of a burnout car. This sparked the search for my own car which we bought, just a stock BA Falcon Ute. From there, my Dad built the back end himself, making the car what it is today. The car acts as a reminder that just because I’m a girl, my dad never limited me to the typical “girly” activities.” Insta: @misbavn

Billy Terry – 1981 Ford Falcon XD

“This is my 1981 XD Falcon. Was my first car and daily when it packed a Crossflow and a single rail, then I got carried away as we all do. This car is now running a 500hp, 393ci Cleveland, backed by a Paul Rogers-built 900hp rated Powerglide. It’s running a Wilwood booster-less master with a Wilwood front end brakes. For suspension, I’m running a Gazzard Brothers rear end with split mono leaf, Caltracs bars and sliders, accompanied by a set of adjustable Moroso drag shocks. In the front, I’m running a pair of Kings low springs also with a set of adjustable Moroso drag shocks. The car runs a set of bead locked 15×10 Weld Draglites, wrapped in 275/60 radials, and a pair of 15×4 front runners. The interior has been retrimmed factory style just with diamond stitching. I’m chasing that 90s pro street look, which was always the goal for this car. Overall, the XD is a tough 11-second streeter put together in the shed, and used like a true street machine! Now it’s time to build my 1970 XY to the same standard.” Insta:@billyterryyy

Joshua Depares – 1966 Ford Mustang

“My 1966 Ford Mustang coupe finished in custom Fools Gold with a Parchment Pony interior. It runs a 347ci Windsor stroker making approximately 450hp, paired with an automatic transmission and built nine-inch diff. It’s mini-tubbed with a four-link rear suspension, Billet Specialties wheels, upgraded brakes, rack-and-pinion steering and custom cooling system. The car was originally built by Rob Di Masullo and featured in Street Machine magazine. I’m proud to now own the car and continue its story in NSW. At 20 years old, owning and driving a genuine Australian street machine is something I don’t take for granted. My focus is keeping the car on the road, maintaining it to a high standard and enjoying it the way it was built to be enjoyed. This isn’t a garage ornament—it’s a properly engineered, street-driven Mustang that turns heads wherever it goes. I want to represent the next generation of enthusiasts by preserving an iconic build while continuing to make it my own.” Insta: @joshuadepares

Jonathan Saad – Ford FG G6E Mk2

“I’ve got BC Racing coilovers with 20inch Simmons, an XR8 bonnet, a Mk1 G6E bumper installed and I’ve got a Street Fighters intake. It also has a full X-Force exhaust, Kelford 218 camshafts with Kelford valve springs, Crow lifters and a tune by Empire Mechanical.” Insta: @jonathan.saad_31

Thomas Bovalina – 1984 Ford Falcon XE S Pack

“This is my 1984 XE Falcon S,Pack! She’s a factory Brambles/Vermillion Fire car, with the odd Caribbean Blue interior, four speed single rail manual. It has a few little mods here and there, custom exhaust system, 500CFM Holley, Aussie Speed manifold and some staggered Globe wheels.” Insta: @thomasbovalina

Elena Clarke – 2010 Ford G6E Turbo

“I bought the car when I was 19, as I wanted to do a tribute to my Grandfather, he loved his Fords. I dedicated my life into buying the car and modifying it. I worked eight days a week, and did numerous night shifts to get it together. The mod list includes Crow Cams valve springs, a Pulsar GTX3584 Gen 3 turbo with external wastegate, an Antz Stage 2 intercooler kit with battery relocation. With an upgraded fuel system and E85, it’s pushing 456rwkW.” Insta: @lenaaamirce

Harri Cooper – 1981 Ford LTD

“Like many enthusiasts, my story starts with my old man. Owning many X-Series Fords throughout his life, unfortunately having one stolen and the other being sold to help give me the life I have today. The ones he’ll forever talk about are his LTDs, loaded with luxury for its time: A rollback sunroof, electric front seats & windows. The rear wrapped with venetian blinds, map lights, cigarette lighters; and of course, the unmistakable Rolls Royce-inspired grille. Growing up on stories of that car and the 90s street machine scene was a huge inspiration. Finally, I found my own 1981 LTD through one of those perfectly timed Facebook Marketplace deals. So Dad and I booked a one-way ticket to Melbourne, flying down and driving the near original 351 FMX car all the way back home to SE Queensland in almost exactly 24 hours. Cruising through the night, tuning the old FM-radio, taking a step back into Dad’s era. For me, what makes a car special is the history, stories, and memories attached to it like these. As soon as I got it home, I tracked down a set of B45 Simmons for it. Although many people believe it should stay untouched, I’d love to give it a more street machine presence. Giving the old donk along with the rest of the drivetrain a freshen up. If in the right timing, to potentially road trip it down for the next Street Machine Summernats, if the right opportunities arise. Creating more memories and passion to hopefully inspire and pass down for the young generations like myself.” Insta: @harriscoops

Brandon Michalowsky – Ford Falcon XG

“I bought the car as a non-runner with no wheels on it from a farm up in the Victorian High Country. Me and the Mrs drove there, and skull dragged it onto a trailer and drove back home and got home at 3am. I remember saying to the seller that I was going to build it and turbo it, but he didn’t believe me! A house deposit-worth later, it now has a built nine-inch rear end, built motor with 40thou forged pistons, ported Tickford head with a cam, the full Haltech catalogue, an ICE ignition box and leads, and a G42 turbo. It breathes through a four inch exhaust, a TR6060 manual from an FG-X turbo, and 275/55/15 semi slicks – it has had the works! The cheapest part was the whole car at $900 bucks, and the whole lot has been built in my single shed garage by me.” Insta: @brandon_thomas2642001

Ryan Chant – Ford Falcon EF XR6

“It’s a gunmetal grey EF XR6 with a handful of tasteful mods, still using the SOHC six but now with a Pulsar turbo strapped onto it. To go with that, it has a 6Boost manifold, TurboSmart ‘gate, a full custom three-inch exhaust by Radial Flow Fab, along with custom catch can and surge tank as well. It has been converted to a forward facing plenum with a Plazmaman throttle body and one of their Pro Series intercoolers. Running it is a Haltech Elite 750, and it makes 320rwkW on only 10psi. The rest of the driveline is a T56 box, and a 31 spline Borgy diff with billet axles. The part that confuses most people is calling it an EF, when it really has a full EL body kit and interior. I think it looks better, without having to deal with the dizzy system. I’ve owned the car for around three years now, and have had problem after problem but my driving style probably doesn’t help the matter at all. I’m a speedway driver, and trying to drive my street cars the same way. I’ve owned and sold multiple cars within the time I’ve had this car, and it has given me the most grief, but I’ve got a soft spot for this one and don’t think I’ll ever let it go.” Insta: @_ryan_chxnt

Cooper Wyton – 1984 Ford Falcon XE S Pack

“I first found my love for old Fords through Dad. His XE Falcon is what started it all, and I’ve been around and working on cars since I was knee-high. I bought this car from an old fella down in Mildura, Victoria. It’s an original XE Ford Falcon S-Pack and is a very clean, untouched car. It spent its whole life in the country, which has made it have next to no rust, just a bit of bull dust in odd places. The car had been looked after, but over the years a few questionable choices were made. It was originally optioned without the S-Pack pinstripe, had the front bar and a few other parts painted black, and had LPG fitted. After getting the car home, it arrived as a non-runner. I began working on it and found electrical gremlins throughout the car. The dash has been out multiple times to fix dodgy and melted wiring. Nearly all of the ignition wiring has been redone and fixed by me, which led me into my career choice as an auto electrician. The LPG was removed, as it would have made getting a roadworthy much more difficult. Along the way, I’ve fixed plenty of other issues to turn it into the reliable cruiser it is today. Once it was back on the road, I started bringing it back to the true XE S-Pack look.” I removed the black paint from the front bar, gave the paint some much needed attention, and fitted the S-Pack pinstripe. Picked up a set of widened interceptors to tie it all together to how it looks today. I still have plenty of plans for this car. It’s one I’ll keep forever, and I’ll never stop improving it. In the meantime I’m enjoying driving this almost everyday.” Insta: @cooperwyton_