WhichCar

Simon Major

Journalist

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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 Features Car Crash Movie 5
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Car Crash (1981) - ripper car movies

Not even the mob can stop them

Hirohata Merc Custom legend 2020
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Hirohata Merc sold for US$1.95 million

The world's most famous custom car has changed handsfor a staggering price

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The cars of Aussie TV

Oodles of homegrown car action across 45 years of Aussie TV

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Hot Rod Girl (1956) - ripper car movies

Some fantastic drag and street racing action, with cool hot rods and customs galore

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Aussie legend: John Zeigler's HJ ute

John Zeigler's groundbreaking Holden HJ ute lit a fire under the late-70s/early-80s Aussie custom scene. Now it re-emerges as Black Magic, proving that true style is timeless

Street Machine Features Neville Simkin Capri Bonnet Up
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Time-capsule twin-turbo 1970 Ford Capri GT 3000

Tenacity, patience and a pioneering spirit come together in Neville Simkin's time-capsule twin-turbo Capri

Street Machine HT Holden Hearse
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Video: Six wheel HT Holden hearse and HK Brougham mourning coach

When your number's up, why not cruise off this mortal coil in style?

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Aussie-built Munsters Dragula replica

Aussie-built coffin on wheels that even scored the tick of approval from George Barris

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Living Legend: HQFORU

Given away by Street Machine in 1986, the iconic 'HQFORU' has been living a charmed life with its saviours Rodney and Judith Menso

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The Man From Hong Kong (1975)

Some great driving and stunt action featuring a number of iconic Aussie cars – purists beware!

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Drag Challenge

Turbo LS3-powered Valiant AP6 ute

Dale Gridley and his rustified, LS3-powered AP6 ute are chasing an eight-second timeslip and a Drag Challenge finish

VAN RAT Street Machine
Features

The true story of VANRAT

Our chat with Steve Abbott, the man behind one of Australia’s most famous and influential vans - VANRAT

1969 Chrysler VF Valiant hardtop
Features

Big-block 1969 Chrysler VF Valiant hardtop

Real estate agent Luke Croft gives a sad old stock VF Hardtop an extreme makeover, transforming it into a street-stomping brute

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Events

Joe’s Diner car meet in Brisbane

The Queensland Police Service and Joe’s Diner in Eagle Farm have teamed up for one of Brisbane’s most popular monthly car meets

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Legendary wheels of the Aussie car scene

As the old saying goes, the wheels maketh the car, so here’s our survey of the quintessential rims in Aussie street machining

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Van Nuys Blvd. (1979) - ripper car movies

The greatest cruisin' in the land takes place on the street where it all began

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Christmas Cars (2019) - Ripper car movies

Dukes of Hazzard star gets semi-autobiographical

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Top 20 Street Machine covers part four: 2010-2019

We take a look back at 20 of the coolest covers in Street Machine history, finishing off with our top four from 2010-2019

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Top 20 Street Machine covers part three: 2000s

We take a look back at 20 of the coolest covers in Street Machine history. Here are our top four from 2000-2010

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Top 20 Street Machine covers part two: 1990s

We take a look back at 20 of the coolest covers in Street Machine history. Here's our top six from the 1990s

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Top 20 Street Machine covers part one: 1980s

We take a look back at 20 of the coolest covers in Street Machine history. Here's our top six from the 1980s

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Drag Challenge

540ci VG Valiant Safari wagon wins Quickest Mopar-Powered trophy at Drag Challenge Weekend 2020

Jye Core’s big-block Mopar-powered Safari wagon ran solid 10s at DCW 2020

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Drag Challenge

Simo’s super seven – Drag Challenge Weekend 2020

Our Queensland correspondent Simon Major selects seven of his faves from the many and varied rides at DCW 2020

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Features

Alan Fleming's 'Motorvator' Holden HG panel van

Alan Fleming's 'Motorvator' HG panel van was an unbridled blast of creativity we may never see the like of again