Jeffrey Clinkers is currently restoring this rare 1982 ex-pursuit XE Falcon. After completing extensive rust repairs, paintwork and suspension upgrades, he’s now planning a 383ci build and Top Loader swap. Here’s his story and a brief rundown of where he’s up to.

First published in Street Machine’s Yearbook 2024

“Thought I’d share my labour of love, my ex-pursuit 1982 XE Falcon, which has been in the build for four years now.

“It was given to me by a work colleague many years ago, and it was so rotted I really didn’t think it was salvageable. But I had a lot of offers for it even as it was, so I looked into its history and found out it’s quite a rare car.

“It’s an ex-cop car from country WA that came from the factory with a 351 V8, four-speed manual, and optional four-wheel disc brakes and 28-spline LSD, so I decided I had to have a go at saving it.

“Everything was pretty much chewed in it, so I spent a year on rust-repairing the shell. The next year it was sandblasted on a rotisserie, and I smoothed and painted the engine bay and underneath.

“Year three was spent on getting it back on its wheels and sorting the suspension and panels, and this year it went to my mate Matt Allen, who did the new paint in his shop; it’s a HyperShift Pearl over a black base, shifting from red to black depending on the light.

“Next year, I’ll start getting a 383 built for it and will replace the single-rail ’box with a Top Loader. It will run the factory LSD but with a 3.23:1 gear ratio rather than the factory 2.92. I know these things take time, but I hope to have it finished within two years.”