Shaun Tanner
Holden VF II Commodore SS-V Redline

“I was fortunate enough to work for Holden way back when, and we were able to lease cars via salary sacrifice, which is how I got hold of a VF Series I Redline and immediately knew I had to own one.

“But then I heard rumours that Holden planned to go out with a bang with a new engine in development for the upcoming VF II range, so I held out for that instead, eventually scoring one of the very last MY17 VF II SS-V Redlines, wearing Son Of A Gun grey and optioned with a black roof.

“So far, I’ve enjoyed it in its stock form, fanging it around Mt Panorama, Lang Lang and some of Australia’s best driving roads, and it’s still one helluva car.

“Looking ahead though, I’m not sure whether to modify it to really let it loose or sell it for something old-school – dare I say a project car? Only time will tell.” Photos: Shaun Tanner

Jesse Jury
Datsun 1600

“I’ve owned this Datsun 1600 ex-club racer rally car for around 15 years, buying it out of a paddock and keeping it as a paddock bomb for most of that time.

“As they became more desirable, I wanted to restore it, but my mates insisted I keep the original, crusty rally paintwork on the car.

“Underneath, I’ve replaced all the bushes, brakes and important bits, so despite how it looks, it’s actually fairly well sorted. It still runs the carburetted 1.8L Datsun L18 four-cylinder and five-speed manual it had when I got it, and I’ve fitted a pair of WRX front seats.

“We did a last-minute push to get the car on club permit plates in order to drive it on the road for the first time in 15 years to Optima Ultimate Street Car in February. It drove the 270km there and back and did the whole day without a single fault. Not bad for an old bomb!”

Track photos: Shaun Tanner

Christopher Galea
Holden LX Torana

“I’ve had an LX Torana since I was 15. I always had big plans and dreams for it, but unfortunately, it was always the lowest priority on the list, as the career, house and family had to come first.

“Sixteen years on, with a second kid on the way and after some advice from older revheads who had been there and done that, I decided to try and find another LX, and I came across one on Facebook in almost identical specs to my first one! Needless to say, I snapped it up.

“It’s nice to finally enjoy this LX (a model that always had my heart) with my family and see the smiles on their faces. My son’s just turned two, and he’s more excited than me to jump in Dad’s Torana! We’re just cruising it at the moment, but I have a built 350 Chev, TH350 and 9in sitting on the floor ready to go, so I may just leave my original LX to finish when the kids are old enough to build it with their dad!”

John Strachan
Holden WB Panel Van

“My 1981 WB van is nicknamed ‘Vitamin WB’.

“I bought it privately from Newcastle just over a year ago; it was in pretty good condition, with a WB Statesman Caprice front and Voodoo Mica metallic blue paint.

“It still runs the Holden 253 V8 and Trimatic I bought it with, but I’ve added an HZ 10-bolt diff. I also fitted bucket seats, a centre console, walnut-veneer GTS dash, GTS steering wheel, a roof spoiler, tinted Perspex bubble windows, new shock absorbers and reset leaf springs.

“Helped by my mate Peter, I completed those upgrades in about six months.”

Victor Iacopelli
Ford TE Cortina

“This is my Ford TE Cortina, which has been in my family since it was brand new. It runs a nitrous 302 Windsor V8, Top Loader and modified BorgWarner diff, and rolls on 17in Simmons FR wheels. It’s a lot of fun to drive!”

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