We’d all probably agree that HQFORU is our most famous and coveted Street Machine giveaway car, now proudly in the hands of Rodney and Judith Menso. 

Another fondly remembered project was HQFORU’s descendant in namesake, VUFORU. Back in 2003, we took a then-new VU SS ute, and with Craig Parker steering the project and help from a whole bunch of legends, the standard SS was turned into a one-of-a-kind machine.

VUFORU was a big project; fitting the then-huge 22-inch rims called for mini-tubs, lengthened wheelarches and serious mods to the IRS bum, thanks Waddington Street Rods. Hi-Tech Hot Rods fabbed the billet grille and Precise Trim turned the interior into a sea of bright red. The wild paint scheme was designed by Ryan Carter and applied by Mat Egan and Earl Webber.

We debuted the car at Street Machine Summernats 17 in 2004, and then gave it away to winner James Gethen in Sydney.

And now, we’ve bought the ute back! Jason Waye of Tuff Mounts fame has stuck his hand up to help us project manage the build. Jason was involved with the original build, so who better to lead the charge?

As you’ll see in the video, VUFORU needs a bit of loving. Life hasn’t been kind to the ute’s iconic paint scheme and it will need a lot of work to bring it back to its best.

The airbag system will also need a refresh to make it legal for the 21st Century, along with a few other mechanical upgrades.

Scotty Barter from Oxytech will restore the rims back to OG spec and the CV8 bonnet will be flung. We’d love to swap out the auto for the original six-speed, but one suspects we’ll leave that deviation from in place. Stay tuned for future updates!

The story to here (3 September, 2025)

Since VUFORU was first given away the car has been through around six owners, and even went missing for a decent period of time. The ute resurfaced last year, with Phil Platcher from Aussie Garage in Western Australia tasked to bring it back to life, and all for a good cause. 

“It’s owned by a family member of mine, who has owned it for around 10 years,” says Phil. “Unfortunately, he has stage four terminal cancer, so we’re going to fix it up for him. The end goal is to do so to sell it, and give him some much needed funds, but also so he can have one last drive in it.”

While it’s not in the same pristine nick as when we gave it away 22 years ago, most of the original identity is still here. “The airbags are leaking, which is the biggest issue with it,” says Phil. “So, we need to fix all that up. Some of the wiring has also been chewed up by mice, so we need to go through the whole thing and make sure it’s safe.”

Phil will be calling on the help of AJ’s Garage to dial in the mechanical side, and AutoFX WA will give the car the major deep clean and detail it desperately needs. “Because it’s been sitting, we need to change all the fluids – especially the fuel – and give it a once over,” says Phil. 

Aussie Garage is Phil and his mate Dan Swindly, in which the pair make a TV show where they tell automotive stories just like VUFORU’s revival, as well as helping projects like this one get the attention and help they deserve.

“We’ve already been overwhelmed by people getting in contact with stories about the ute, it’s been amazing,” says Phil. “It’s great hearing people who have a relationship with this car, so hopefully it finds a deserving home.”

Phil is currently seeking any and all support to help with VUFORUs comeback, including repairing or replacing the airbag system. So, if you can lend a hand, get in touch with the lads via their Aussie Garage socials – and there’ll be more videos on his YouTube channel about the rebuild coming soon!

“Our aim is to get it done by October, so hopefully it’s a quick turnaround,” says Phil.