First published in the March 2026 issue of Street Machine

“This is my 1972 XA Fairmont GS hardtop.

“I bought the car approximately six years ago from a mate, who had owned it for about 30 years.

“He only drove it for 30 days when he bought it, and then put it in the shed thinking he’d do it up one day.

“I had asked him numerous times to sell it to me, but always got told he wouldn’t sell this one.

“He obviously did eventually, and I am the third owner.

“As soon as I got the car, I knew I’d have to restore it in time for my wedding.

“Four-and-a-half years later, after a complete bare-metal restoration, this is the result.

“It now has a 393 stroker engine built by Mick Webb.

“For those that care about originality, I have the matching-numbers engine from the car tucked away on an engine stand.”