RUSSELL Medlock was at the recent Bathurst Autofest for both work and play, with his XA Falcon 500 coupe wearing the corporate colours of his employer on the Shannons trade stand.

“I built the car myself in the backyard under a carport, and I finished it in about 2005,” he said. “It was a labour of love, and I did it up as a bit of a GT replica with help from the family and a few friends.”

Running a warm 351 Cleveland, Top Loader, nine-inch and Bathurst Globes, the car racks up plenty of miles, as Russell uses it to commute to and from various shows around the NSW Central West.

“I’m the local regional development officer for Shannons Insurance, so I get to as many shows as I can in the area. I get to share a few passions because I bring my car along with my lovely wife Cheryl. We tow our Shannons trailer with the coupe, and we occasionally tow a 1976 Viscount caravan with it as well. That always turns a few heads.

“I’m also flying the flag for my own local business, Rusty’s Restorations. It’s based here in Bathurst, so we come here to the Mountain as often as we can; it’s a pretty cool backyard to have.”