WhichCar

Simon Major

Journalist

Simon Major Jpg

A custom panel van tragic from childhood, Simo’s car-loving DNA was further sharpened as an impressionable 1980s teen, immersing himself in the pioneering builds of Greg Carlson, Wayne Pagel, Rob Beauchamp and others in the pages of Street Machine. He went on to create a number of mainly Chrysler-based builds of his own, one of which – a Valiant police car – caught the eye of SM’s then-deputy editor Telfo in 2008, who offered him the opportunity to cover the next Nostalgia Drags for the mag. More than a decade on, Simo has become our resident modified-car historian, bringing to life a time when real men smoked Eagers, matching numbers were only important for the Lotto and a pair of shorts were, er, short.

Street Machine Shane Bridge Cortina Big Block Sleeper
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Sleeper King: Shane Bridge’s 429 Mk1 Cortina

Sporting factory looks but with a 429 Ford big-block under the bonnet, Shane Bridge’s Mk1 Cortina was one of Australia’s first and most-iconic sleepers

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The Ice Road (2021) - ripper car movies

This mission is on thin ice

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Custom FX-FJ Holdens - part 3

In the final part of our series celebrating iconic FJ/FX builds, we look at some of the more 'modern' era customs the 1980s

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Custom FX-FJ Holdens - part 2

Part two of our hot humpy flashback customs from the 60s and 70s

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Custom FX-FJ Holdens - part 1

We take a trip down humpy memory lane with seven iconic custom builds from the 60s and 70s

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Midnight Express Holden HT Belmont panel van

Steve Dobson’s Midnight Express was one of the hottest vans on the show scene in the 80s

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Shaker Run (1985) - ripper car movies

An 80s Kiwi classic, with raw car chase action aplenty

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Jade: HJ Sandman survivor

The life and times of one of the coolest survivors of the van era

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Legend vans: The Green Knight HG Holden

In the days when more was more, Greg Hocking's Green Knight proved that a van with subtle but perfectly executed mods could be a winner

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The Driver (1978): Ripper Car Movies

Fast-paced, high-impact, big-city car chases are all the better for the unusual inclusion of a Chevy C10 pick-up in the 1978 flick, The Driver

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Badge of Honour: The history of hot Holdens with bowties

Simon schools some young ’uns about a time when running a Chev badge on your Holden didn’t necessarily make you a wanker

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The wild times of Greg Trapnell's AGROHQ

Greg Trapnell’s wild Drag Week conquering Holden HQ Monaro

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Alvin Rides Again (1974) - ripper car movies

Front up! Alvin's back!

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John Strachan and Alley Cat

John Strachan's Alley Cat is one of the best-loved vans in Australia's custom history. Here John reveals some of his prime inspirations for the build

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High School USA (1983) - ripper car movies

The wrong boy just met the right girl

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Mal Apps's Intrepid-C FC Holden

Fifty years between FC Holdens saw Mal Apps keen to make up for lost time; an encounter with a local legend helped steer his dream car down the Elite path

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The Chase (1994) - ripper car movies

Getting there is twice the fun

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Ian Hazel's Prem 70 HG Holden wagon

One of the most influential street machines of the 80s is alive and well

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Street People (1976) - ripper car movies

The hunting season has opened in the Naked City

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Le Mans (1971) ripper car movies

Le Mans (1971) is a car film that will have you hooked from the start and is Steve McQueen at his career-best

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Suburban Mayhem (2006) - ripper car movies

There are some things in life you can't control. Fame, lust, murder, and Katrina

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DIY

Workshop safety tips

When it comes to slinging spanners on cars, it’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye. Here are our tips to help you stay safe in the shed

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Big Block VE Valiant war wagon - video

Graeme's VE Valiant wagon is a big block-powered 11-second road warrior

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Deathcheaters (1976) - ripper car movies

Meet Steve and Rod - stuntmen, saboteurs, hellraisers!