Peter & Adeline Kanicky
Chrysler VG Valiant Wayfarer

“This is my ’71 Valiant VG Wayfarer. It came from out the back of a panel shop in Ballarat but had spent most of its life in Quambatook, Victoria, after being sold new in Boort.

“I’ve done the bare minimum to it since I’ve owned it, as I wanted to keep the old farm ute as she was: two-barrel 245 Hemi, column auto, factory disc brakes and dealer-fitted radio. We’ve given it some very minor rust repairs, a fresh engine and transmission, new brakes and suspension, a seat re-trim and a general clean-up.

“A few weeks ago, I took the car back to Boort, to the building that was formerly Whittaker Motors, the rural dealership that sold the car over 50 years ago. The long-term family owners of the current shop were kind enough to let me have a look around and take some photos, as well as check out some rare Chrysler memorabilia.

“Plans for the car now are just to put fuel in it and chew up miles. I also have a ’71 Charger that I am piecing together next!”

Tina Kross
1981 Mitsubishi Sigma

“Sigmas are certainly an acquired taste – pretty much everyone’s had one and gotten rid of it; I am just the silly one who kept mine! I’ve had my GH Sigma since I was 18, and I’m now going on 30.

“Both of my brothers had it before me, when it ran an Astron motor with a turbo slapped on it. Once I was 18, it was passed down to me, but because I was on P-plates, we had to make it aspo, so bye bye, turbo; hello, sad engine.

“But in 2016, six weeks before the Six-Banger Nats at Warwick Dragway, Dad and I swapped the engine and trans to a Holden black 202 six-cylinder and Trimatic so we could race it, and it still runs both today.

“We initially put the Quick Fuel 465 double-pumper on it just as a test, but it seemed to work well enough, so it has stayed! My brother Kevvy from KPM Performance Engines ported the 12-port head a bit for me, while my other bro Tim made the custom exhaust system, including the extractors.

“I’ve since done a lot of racing in the car. It took me until 2018 to get a runner-up spot at the drags, but in 2020, I won the final at a Street Series meeting at Willowbank, and won again in 2022. That year, I also competed in the three-day Road Trip Drag Week, run by Mick Apps. In September this year, I came runner-up in the Street bracket at the Six-Banger Nats; I ran a PB of 9.31 seconds, and only lost by a hundredth in the final.”

Rhys Hutcheson
Mazda 1000 ute

“I’ve only recently got my Mazda 1000 back on the road today after a 2.5-year transformation. It all started when my friends and I decided that a factory-supercharged Toyota 4A-GZE four-cylinder and five-speed manual would make a cheap swap that would fit in the ute and be a bit of fun.

“So, we pulled the old motor and fitted up the 4A and T-50, but then life got busy for everyone, and the project stalled. So, I spoke with another mate, Al from Allied Performance Projects, who does things like this in his sleep, to take on the project. He was more than happy to overcome any challenges this project threw at him and get the little ute back on the road.

“Along the way, the manual idea changed to a built auto, along with many other changes from the original cheap-and-cheerful plan! The small-port 4A-GZE now runs a GT2560 turbo instead of the supercharger, and it’s backed by a manualised Trimatic auto with a custom converter and transbrake, connected to a shortened R31 BorgWarner diff via a custom 3in tailshaft. A custom inlet plenum and radiator tidy up the engine bay, and an aftermarket XR6 intercooler finishes the job nicely.

“A Haltech Elite 750 with an iC-7 dash runs the show, keeping tabs on temps and flex-fuel. It puts out a tidy 240hp and 280lb-ft at the hubs, which makes it a fun little thing. The next things on the list are to sort the suspension and, eventually, the body.”

Andrew Walker
Holden WH Statesman

“My 2000 WH Statesman was bought in original condition in 2023, running a 5.7-litre V8 and auto. Since then, it’s had a full respray by Kustom Kotes in Boulder, WA, and the boot and steering wheel were trimmed by Sarah at Fiesta Canvas & Motor Trimming, Kalgoorlie.

“I’ve also given it the mandatory stereo system upgrade, with Kicker speakers, amp and sub and a Pioneer head unit. There’s also a 3in stainless exhaust system; 18in CSA Mullins Beretta wheels with 245/40R18 tyres; lowered suspension with King Springs and Pedders shocks; and tinted windows by Tint N Secure, Kalgoorlie. Still plenty more to do!”

Kane Potroz
Toyota Hi-Lux

“Here’s my little Toyota hemi-powered HiLux. It’s a New Zealand-built car from 1982. The engine is a 1979-1980 4V Toyota hemi, but I’ve replaced the factory carburettor with a 350cfm Holley four-barrel. It runs a W50 gearbox – commonly known as the Celica five-speed – and the factory Toyota LSD, but I’m looking to replace that with Jag rear end for something different.”

Hayden Twiselton
Holden VR Commodore

“I bought my 1994 Holden VR Commodore off my pop for $1500 in 2023, as I love old Commodores and couldn’t say no to that price. Pop had owned it for around 13 years, and he’d bought it from my dad. The number plates are a tribute to my pop.

“The car runs a stock-as-a-rock V6 at the moment, but I’m going to swap that out for a built 5.0L Holden motor V8 and a built TH700 transmission to keep the car looking stock but give it that extra little kick it needs. So far, I’ve replaced the thermostat and the power-steering pump and put some 15×7 pursuit rims on it (not pictured).

“Down the track, I’ll do the engine and trans swap, upgrade the suspension and brakes, and refurbish the interior.”

Julian Culverhouse
Ford XG Falcon ute

“This is POMPOM, my 1994 XG Falcon ute with an XE front. It was my daily for a good while, until I turboed the old SOHC mill and ended up with a valve in the wastegate. It now runs a gas Barra that’s been rebuilt with the typical Barra supporting mods, force-fed by a Pulsar G45 turbo and running on E85.

“It runs 10in widened EL Falcon steelies with chrome lips on the rear, clad in 275/60R15 rubber, while 4in Center Lines are up front with 175/75R15 tyres. I plan to use it a lot next year doing some drag-and-drive events, as it’s a low-buck, fun ute without any stress.”

Want your pride and joy featured in the mag? Just send some photos of your car (minimum file size 2MB each) and a few details of what went into the build to [email protected].