Clint Osmond
Ford XP Falcon

“Here is my 1965 XP Falcon, which I’ve owned since I was 15. I worked for my dad so that I was able to save it from Richmond Auto Salvage.

“I began by installing a 200 crossflow, which cost around $150 and lasted about 24 years. I replaced that with a used crossflow from Facebook Marketplace. The gearbox is a Celica five-speed that I purchased for a carton of beer, and I also got a Centura diff to get it going strong!

“I wasn’t able to do too much to the car until my eldest was around three or four, which is when I really began to make it my own! I had to work on a budget, as I was supporting my family and had to prioritise.

“In 2011, I was able to get it finished in a stunning XB Falcon Coolmint Green, and Oscar the Grouch became the car’s mascot!”

Photos: RSPhotography

Jay Zahra
Holden WK Statesman

“This is my 2004 WK Holden Statesman, which I bought in 2019 from an elderly lady while still on my L-plates. It started life as a V6, but it didn’t take long until I decided to change the wheels, lower it, change out the stereo and add a few extras.

“Eventually, I decided to do a V8 conversion, but like most project cars, that idea snowballed into basically a full rebuild. I ripped out the V6 to make way for an LS3 crate motor, with an OEM ECU controlling it and a custom loom, handled by Wayne at Kaotic Customs. I upgraded the LS with a BTR cam, Higgins ported heads, a FAST manifold and Pacemaker extractors.

“The exhaust is a custom stainless twin 3in system fabricated by Brandon at Proline Fabrication. To take the extra grunt, I selected a built 4L60E transmission sending power to the rears via a GJ Drivelines tailshaft. A 3.91:1-geared Detroit Truetrac diff rounds out the driveline, housed in a Harrop cover.

“The interior has been retrimmed in leather by Sash at NSR Automotive Interiors, including the Coulson seats, steering wheel, door trims, handbrake handle, console lid and shifter boot.

“The car sits on Ksport front coil-overs and rear King Springs with shortened shocks. The 20×8 GMax Heritage rims are large enough to cover the Harrop Performance 343mm brake kit. All the body and engine bay work was done by me and my dad.

“Given the level of work mechanically, the exterior was no longer quite up to scratch, so I took it to Rob and Braydon at Unique Body Smash Repairs to lay down a full open-door respray. During the build, I was studying how to tune and understand EFI, so I decided to tune the Statesman using the hub dyno we have at work. It’s the first car I completely tuned myself, which is something I’m really proud of.

“This car was built to be my ideal summer cruiser, and I think it does that just fine.”

Photos: Shaun Tanner

Scott Pearce
Ford XG Falcon ute

“This 1995 XG Falcon is my first car, as well as being the first project car I did with my dad in my grandma’s garage.

“The 4.0L Ford straight-six was rebuilt with an aftermarket stage three cam and twin 2.5in turn-down exhaust. All the rust was repaired, sound deadening was added, the tray and wheelwells were Raptor-lined, and it has new headlights, smoked tail-lights, and AU Falcon indicators. The body was resprayed in Dulon acrylic Midnight Black.

“Inside, an aftermarket double-DIN touchscreen head unit was installed, running a Pioneer sub and custom twin 6×8 speaker box. I did all that when I was 19, and I’m now 25 and have used it as a daily, and it’s still going strong – although that’s not to say it hasn’t been on a tow truck once or twice!

“I’d never done automotive or panel beating work as a job, but I’ve always been a hands-on person and wanted to create something uniquely mine. I always have someone coming up to talk with me about how they used to have an XG as their first car too, so it’s been a great conversation starter.”

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].