Readers’ rockets: Custom HJ Monaro, slamed Beetle, WB pano + more

We check out some of our readers' cool rides from the July issue of Street Machine

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Byron Judd
Holden HJ Monaro

“My genuine 1975 HJ Monaro GTS is very rare as a standard car (one of 606), let alone with the body mods that were done back in the 80s when no one wanted ‘stock’.

It has a WB Statesman front and rear, 383 crate engine, upgraded TH400 trans with B&M shifter, and a Ford nine-inch diff.

I’ve had her for around six years and had an all-new interior fitted back to standard, as the custom black and red corduroy was tattered and torn. The genuine Cragar wheels, Pacemaker extractors and three-inch exhaust top her off nicely!

There will be many haters, and people say, ‘How could you do all that to a classic?’ Well, back then, customisation showed individuality and craftsmanship – anyone who knows anything about bodywork will understand the skill and hours required to graft that rear end to look like it was a factory option.”

Trevor Tate
Volkswagen Beetle

“I bought this ’67 VW Beetle Deluxe in 2016. My dad Maurice (aka Popeye) and I got right into it. The restoration was going really well, as my dad was a welder/fabricator, but unfortunately he got very sick and passed away just as my family moved into our new home.

We were extremely close; he meant the world to me and was my best friend. Things got very hard, but the show must go on, so, being a spray painter, I repaired and painted the car with the help of my beautiful little boy, Oliver.

I called out to Tin God Solutions for a helping hand, and six years later, I have this beautiful little car with beautiful memories of my dad.

At the end of the day, it was never about the car but the journey with my best friend – my dad, Popeye.”

Josh Potts
Holden LJ Torana & Ford TC Cortina

“Hi guys, here are two of our cars. My missus’s LJ Torana has a 308 (soon to be a 355), five-speed Supra ’box and a shortened Commodore diff.

My TC Cortina wagon has a 347 Windsor, C4 and a nine-inch diff with a 3.7:1 Truetrac. We would love to see our cars in your magazine!”

James Sapurmas
Dodge Custom Royal

“This is my old man’s 1958 Dodge Custom Royal four-door sedan – factory right-hand drive and Australian-delivered. It’s powered by a Dodge 350ci big-block V8, backed by a cast-iron early Torqueflite push-button transmission.

Only 214 were ever built for this country. We bought it to cruise around in as a family; it turns heads and is as rare as hens’ teeth!”

Matt Turner
Ford Bronco

“This is my 6/71-blown 1985 Ford Bronco, a 2WD car with airbags. It has a 351 Clevo built on a black block, with AFD heads and custom chambers. Behind the engine is a built C6 auto, and a nine-inch rear end with all the fruit and custom anti-roll bars.

Up top is FAST EFI and a Joe Blo injector hat. I’m chasing the 10-second quarter-mile bracket; I’m currently in the 11s.”

Steve Pacey
WB Holden panel van

“Here’s my orange panel van. It’s a WB with an HZ Prem front end, a 350 Chev, T5 manual, and a VN SS rear axle. It rolls on period-cool Aunger Triden wheels with Eager rubber.

I’ve been bashing the headers since she got on the road, so I may have to commit the sin of un-lowering the front!”

Steve Hynard
1961 Chevrolet Bel Air

“Here is my 1961 Chev Bel Air, purchased from California in 2018. It had a 500ci Cadillac big-block and TH400, but the car had had a lot of dodgy work done to it in America.

I have spent the past few years rebuilding and replacing a lot of parts. It now runs a 305ci small-block and TH400. I also sanded all the flat black off and two-pack-cleared the lot.”

Ben Ward
Ford XC panel van

“G’day, this is my 1977 XC Sundowner. It runs a 295hp AU XR8 roller motor with a five-speed ’box and an AU disc-brake LSD shortened to suit. I’ll have it on the road in the next month or two.”

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