2024 was a massive year for the Street Machine team. It was our first full 12 months working as part of the Out There Group – a huge but awesome change for the better!

Our creative team was on fire, including our chief photographer, Chris ‘Tappy’ Thorogood. Despite having well over 100 Street Machine covers to his credit, Tappy‘s enthusiasm for our sport and his craft is undiminished.

Read on for Chris‘s top 10 shots of 2024:

Fave photoshoot: Serg’s XY Falcon

After the first photo, I knew I was onto a good thing with Serg’s XY. The sizeable factory at Southern Rod & Custom, combined with the Lambo green paint on the square-fendered XY Falcon, made for a stress-free shoot and amazing final images.

Fave cover shot: Ron Barclay’s Camaro

I love this cover, but I can’t take all the credit. Genius graphic designer Povi Pullinen worked his magic to combine my Camaro image with Ron’s 1990 SMOTY-winning HQ cover. Of course, my photos are nothing without the star of the show, Street Machine legend Ron Barclay, his show-stopping ’67 Camaro, and his cute-as-a-button pup.

Fave location: Mount Hotham with Joel’s XP

When Joel told me he resided in the beautiful town of Bright, I jokingly proposed shooting his XP at the top of Mount Hotham. Joel was keen: “If you think it’ll get awesome photos, let’s do it.” So, up the mountain we went with the XP in tow, as Joel thought the journey up and down would be a bit much for the car’s fresh driveline and brakes. When we got to the top, we were greeted with epic views of Victoria’s Alpine National Park.

Honourable mention: Chris Retzos’s mancave

Coolest tech in a feature car: James Bullions’ R100

Only keen eyes would have noticed this feature on James’s little Mazda coupe. Within his main tuning screen, James had a 3D version (done by Render Garage) of his R100 rotating on the main screen, mimicking a Gran Turismo menu screen. I’d never seen anything like it – very cool, and a trick set-up. And what a car, too.

Fave portrait: El Toro at Chopped

Beard, footy shorts, Falcon Sprint, and that bold tee.

Fave side-on shot: Joe Bauer’s 1968 Dodge Charger

I love taking side-on shots. But when I lined up Joe’s Summernats Grand Champion-winning Charger side-on, I was pumped. It shows off the Dodge’s long, flowing lines, awesome stance, giant rear wheels and the long blower and hat. I also dig the way the paint has reacted to my lighting and the studio space.

Fave interior: Dragos’s XE Falcon

Dragos’s XE is an amazing modern build, but I think the interior is so good. It blends all the rad factory ESP interior bits with six-second race car necessities very tastefully. The ESP-trimmed Kirkey seats, MoTeC screen, M&M shifter and ESP steering wheel are so good, but the rare Philips Premium Sound System radio console option make the interior a belter.

Fave engine bay: Chris Retzos’s 1969 Dodge Coronet

It’s not hard to see why. I love the colour scheme: PPG custom blue paint, black engine and hardware, and touches of chrome. Then add the amazing custom-fabbed firewall and inner guards by Southern Rod & Custom. And, of course, the engine itself – a 2000hp+ Nelson Racing Engines 572ci Hemi with mirror-image turbos. Killer.

Most memorable (but saddest) moment captured: Harry and ITHOPS

This year we lost a guy who did great things for Aussie car culture and the drag-and-drive community, Harry Haig. His best mates and family pulled out all stops to revive his famous ITHOPS ute for his funeral, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the place as Harry had his last ride in the XR. It was the best way to send off the Big Dawg. RIP Harry.

Fave motion shot: Frank’s VH Commodore

Taking driving photos of feature cars is something I take pride in, as they prove that most of these amazing cars function and drive – real Street Machine stuff. Frank’s VH is one of the highest-quality built Commodores in the country, and its underside is just as good as the above. When the shoot came around, it was a scorching day – almost 40 degrees – but Frank was still keen to drive the Commodore out to the location for photos, despite the heat. What a ruler, what a car and what a photo.