Author: Ben Hosking

Feature Car: Ian Wood's Holden EH Van

Gen IV-Powered EH Panel Van

Street Machines are often an extension of an owner’s personality and they come in all shapes, sizes and colours (well, maybe except the trendy builds like VK Blue Meanies and the seemingly ageless Falcon GT clones). 

Ian Wood’s 1964 EH van is a great example of a personality shining brightly. Sure, it’s got a modern powertrain… but look at the aesthetic treatment. Gorgeous HOK Emperor orange metallic paint mixed with a cream leather trim may not seem so out of the ordinary. But dig a little deeper and you’ll find the Mexican-style airbrushing, sugar skull buttoned seats and western-style embossing/carving in the leather.

Either way, the shoot was pretty extensive, given the addition of the chandeliers (installed just for the shoot on aluminium trussing from Ian’s company) and orange lighting out back. But I think you’ll agree that the finished images were worth the effort.

This shoot appeared in the December 2022 issue of Street Machine.

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Feature Car: Matt Hourigan's Mercury Comet

Supercharged 347ci '71 Comet

As classic machinery continues to get older and scarcer, it has been interesting to see the different makes and models that were once neglected start to get some attention.

In my 20+ years in the car magazine business, I’ve never once seen an early ’70s Mercury Comet get modded. Have you? Phil Kerjean was commissioned to build this brilliant machine for Matt Hourigan of Canberra and he’s done an incredible job.

A ProCharged 347ci Windsor powers the little beastie that rides on a set of proper Simmons and boasts detail wherever you look. My shoot was featured in the December issue of Street Machine. 

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Cover Car: Ray's VN Commodore

Supercharged LS2 KNG GRP A

2022 didn’t exactly end the way I would have liked, with nerve damage as a result of surgery to my right arm. It meant I couldn’t use a mouse, play guitar or really do anything with my right hand.

Shortly before that happened though, I got to shoot Ray Elia’s latest creation – this gorgeous ode to the mighty VN Group A SS.

Powered by a blown and injected LS2, the VN is detailed to the hilt, no matter where you look. You’d be forgiven for thinking that all this detail would preclude Ray from driving the car, but even before the Nats this January, you could find Ray driving the car all over the place!

My shoot was featured on the front cover of the December issue of Street Machine. 

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Fresh Promo Photos: Wicker Suite

Liam Kennedy-Clark and Gabi Blissett

Some followers may remember my last shoot with Liam for a single he dropped last year.

I got a call from Liam seeking new promo photos for a project he and partner Gabi Blissett have recorded, called Wicker Suite. We convened at a lovely wedding venue in Paterson, NSW and got a stack of great images for them to choose from.

I also got some fresh shots of Liam for another upcoming single, which I’ll share soon, once the single drops! 

If you need new promo shots for your project, drop me a message to discuss.

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Feature Car: Fuel Bespoke C1 Corvette

535hp Gen-V Retrotech Beauty

I’m no stranger to John Ward’s prowess with transforming tired old classics into modern day marvels. This is the third incredible creation of his that I’ve been able to photograph. 

The first was a similar (but silver) C1 Corvette. It was running an LS powerplant and all the modern electronics you could think of. The second was a classic BMW coupe that copped similar treatment with a later-model M-series engine and some electronic wizardry.

This time it’s along the lines of that silver C1, except John has taken everything he’s learned and funnelled it into this machine. This black C1 boasts a 535hp LT376/535 crate motor, backed by a 6L80E six-speed auto. UNderneath you’ll find a C4 IFS and IRS setup and there’s enough technology running throughout the car to make your head spin.

The shoot was featured in the OCtober 2022 issue of Street Machine.

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Feature Car: Paul Thomas' Ford Mustang

403ci Top 60 Elite '67 Mustang

Paul Thomas’ Ford Mustang is a work of art and testament to what perseverance, hard work, vision and talent can create. 

This car is so much more than what at first appears to be a slammed ’67 Mustang coupe. Below the mirror-finish black paint is a ton of quality engineering, backed by a Dart 403ci N/A monster with sexy trumpet manifold, Powerglide and 9in with 4.11s.

The shoot was freezing, but Mother Nature treated me to a perfect sunset and the results speak for themselves. 

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Feature Car: Steve Santos' Holden EJ Wagon

LS-Powered EJ Wagon

Sorry that I’ve been so lax about posting content in here recently. I’ll try and do better in 2023! 

This stunning LS-powered retrotech EJ Holden wagon was originally meant to be a birthday present for Steve’s dad. I posted photos from the Valiant that actually ended up becoming his dad’s surprise gift HERE.

This EJ (yes, it’s an EJ – with EH tail lights) ended up staying in Steve’s shed and boasts a host of upgrades that make it the perfect cruiser, including 6-speed auto’, extensive audio system, power windows and all the mod cons.

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Front Cover: Ray Elia's VN Commodore

Ray Elia's VN Commodore

I recently had the pleasure of photographing Ray Elia’s latest creation for the front cover of Street Machine’s December 2022 issue, which is on sale now.

Keen readers will remember his white blown LS-powered VK Brock-alike that I shot for Street Machine’s Commodore title a few years back.

Best of all, this beast is already getting driven on the street despite not yet being done with show season.

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Front Cover: VW Mag Australia - Nov '22

VW Mag Australia - Nov 2022

The new issue of VW Magazine Australia (VWMA) is out this week and contains three of my photoshoots. Gracing the front cover is Izzy’sheavily patina’d single-cab, as well as Dean’s Karman Ghia and Anthony’s rare-as Puma coupe from South America.

Be sure to pick up a copy and check out their stories! #supportprint

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Fresh Portraits for Paul Bennet Airshows

New Portraits for Paul Bennet Airshows

Paul Bennet and Glenn Graham – the two primary sky aces behind Paul Bennet Airshows – were in need of some fresh promotional images. These two guys are some of the most experienced aerobatics pilots in the country and I was able to shoot them in front of their respective aircraft.

Lighting was supplied primarily by two Godox AD600 flashes; the key light using a medium-sized, gridded hexagonal softbox and the rim light using a standard reflector.

If you or your business is in need of some new promotional shots, don’t hesitate to get in touch. I service the greater Hunter Valley region and even Sydney with a little notice. 

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