First published in the December 2024 issue of Street Machine

“I’ve been a fan of XD Falcons for a long time; it was my first car just out of school, running a Cleveland V8 and C4 auto, so I’ve had a sentimental attachment to the model ever since. Fast-forward 18 years later, and I decided I really wanted to buy another XD, and with a few more dollars and a little more patience, set about creating something my younger self could only dream of.

“Around 2.5 years ago, I found a 1981 S-Pack as the perfect base for the build, and then I got to work. My build philosophy was ‘less is more’ – I didn’t want to tamper with the original looks of the car too much, and whatever was modified had to have an element of period-correctness about it.

“A 440ci Dart-blocked Clevor now lives in the engine bay. The bottom end contains JE pistons, Scat rods and a solid-roller cam, while up top, there’s a CHI 3V single-plane manifold and heads, and a Pro Systems 1000cfm carb.

“To ensure it all fitted under the bonnet, I had the CHI manifold machined down by just over an inch and lowered the factory air cleaner as much as possible – so much so that the carburettor is exposed in the air cleaner base. I also shortened the engine mounts by 15mm. The Clevor is good for 485hp at the wheels through a 4500rpm converter, manualised TH400 and 31-spline, Detroit Locker-equipped 9in.

“The car rides on Viking double-adjustable front and rear shocks, with a Motor Fab suspension kit on the rear comprising split mono-leaf springs, sliders and CalTracs-style traction bars. I’m a fan of the pro street look, which is why I chose the staggered 15×4 and 15×10 Weld Pro Star wheels, clad in Nankang 185/80R15 on the front and 275/60R15 PSR radials out back.

“The interior was already in good nick, so I just had the factory seats retrimmed in NOS S-Pack material and gave the original door trims, dash and carpet a tidy-up. I also added Auto Meter Sport Comp gauges.

“Now that the build is complete, I think I’ve achieved my vision for the XD, with just under 500hp at the wheels but in an understated, factory-appearing car with a subtle ‘if you know, you know’ vibe.

“Big thanks to Chris Milton Engine Developments for building the Clevor; Norwood Automatics for the trans and converter; Solid Mechanical & Engineering for the exhaust fab and diff mods; and JSR Race Engines & Dyno for tuning.”

Photos: JTK Media

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