Justin Hunt
Holden HQ Monaro

“Here is my 1971 HQ Holden, which I’ve been building for two years. I bought it as a complete car in pieces, taking it all back to bare metal before undertaking extensive rear-end, chassis and wheel tub work.

“It will run an 800hp, 422ci small-block Chev built by BK Race Engines, backed by a two-speed ’Glide and nine-inch diff.

“The interior is all original GTS stuff with restored gauges and dash, while the wheels are polished Weld V-Series items.

“It’s currently at the paint shop and will hopefully be up and running early next year.”

Steve Gus
Ford XE Fairmont

“My factory V8 XE Fairmont Ghia has been in the build for five years so far. I’ve only ever driven it 20 metres to move it from the transporter to the garage, where I immediately started pulling it apart.

“This is truly a backyard build and has been a huge learning curve for me at every stage. My aim is simply to turn it into a nice streeter, and so far, I’ve done all the restoration work myself except for engine machining, seat trimming and blasting the body.

“The driveline will be a 351 Clevo, BorgWarner T5 ’box and Borgy LSD from an EF Falcon.”

Lee Follett
Holden HK Belmont ute

“When I began working on my HK ute, I was just going to give it a fix-up and run the old six-banger. But when I started pulling it apart, I realised it wasn’t going to be an easy fix at all, so it had a full tear-down.

“I then sent it to Tyler at Pearson’s Kustoms, who removed and repaired all the rust and built a new rear end, as there wasn’t much left of it. We also decided to add a four-link while we were at it. That was probably a bit of overkill for a six, so it was time to fit a 383 Chev and TH350 ’box.

“The interior trim was sorted by Dale at DJ Trimco, but we kept the bench seat. The wheels are Street Pro Auto Drags – 15×4 up front and 15×10 on the rear.

“Future plans include fitting a 6/71 for a bit of fun. People say I should paint it, but screw that!”

Matt Garner
HX Holden ute

“My 1977 HX Holden ute has been a work-in-progress over the five years I’ve owned it, but it’s still my daily driver. When I got it, it was a 253/auto car, completely rusted out but able to move under its own power, so I felt it was the perfect starting point.

“Over the next eight months, the old man and I managed to get it rust free, painted and registered, a few months after I turned 18. Next, it had a second 253 and a manual conversion, followed by a 308, which I later rebuilt for some extra horses. It stayed that way for a few years, but I’m now in the process of installing an injected LS to make it a better daily driver.

“There are many more hours of work still to come with this ever-evolving car, but all the memories that the boys and I have had in it over the years makes it all worth it. You can follow the build on TikTok @just_a_mental_kingswood or on Instagram @matt_t_garner.”

Stewart Oliver
Ford XE Falcon ute

“I’ve had my XE ute for about 20 years, and it’s now getting its second reincarnation since I’ve owned it. I got it as a roller in primer and installed a stock EFI 302 hooked up to a Celica five-speed and standard disc-brake LSD, and painted it the Mercury Silver colour it still wears today.

“I also welded up the tailgate, smoothed the tray and added a heap of XF interior parts. However, after I slapped the rear quarter into a post, I decided to pull it off the road for a spruce-up.

“It now runs a Dart-block 363 with EFI, putting out 400rwhp, backed by a six-speed manual and 3.75:1 nine-inch diff. There are RRS coil-overs and Wilwood brakes all ’round, and the interior has been overhauled, complete with new Recaro buckets.

“The car already had an LTD front when I bought it, which I didn’t like much, so I grafted on an XF bumper, which I’d never seen done before, and I think it looks much better now.

“Eventually, I reached the limits of my expertise, so it’s currently Cronic Customs, where Adam and the team are sorting the paint in the engine bay, repairing the body, adding a hardlid, installing engine breathers and a new inlet manifold, tuning the engine (as I installed a bigger cam), and much more.”

Sean Carey
Ford XW Falcon

“I’m just finishing up a high-standard XW GT replica running a ProCharged 427 Windsor, which made 1250hp on its first safe tune. Behind that is a Turbo 400, while the tubbed rear end houses a McDonald Brothers four-link.

“Other features include an RRS front end, Wilwood/RRS brakes, transbrake, 12-volt power steering, and the master cylinder, brake booster and heater all installed underdash. It should be detailed and finished by the time you read this.”

Kody Booms
Holden HX One Tonner

“I’m currently swapping a hottie 5.0-litre into my HX Tonner, which appeared in the Young Gun section in the April 2022 mag.

“Back then, it ran a worked 202, but the new mill is a built 304 backed by a manualised TH350 with a 3500rpm stall. The motor’s had a heap of work done to it, and we’ve added a bit of bling to it, too.

“It’s always been my dream to put a V8 in the car, so I’m very excited to get it running!”

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