Tag: canberra

Feat Car: Brett Russell's Holden LX Torana

Big-Block LX Torana Hatch

This was actually the second time I’d had the luck to get Brett Russell’s incredible big-block-powered Holden LX Torana hatch in front of my lens. The first time was some six or seven years ago for the cover of Xtreme Holdens magazine.

Outwardly, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the car hadn’t changed much in that time, however Brett has further refined the car since its original photo shoot. Today, it’s a great car to drive and has more torque than any mere mortal should probably ever hope to have in a car as nimble as this LX.

On paper, the car boasts 427-cubic-inches of alloy Merlin-based beauty. This is topped with 11.3:1-comp- CNC-ported heads and 750cfm Quick Fuel carbs that replace the original – and admittedly troublesome -EFI setup. 

There’s a raft of chassis and suspension mods under the car that stiffen things up and make it handle like the car is on rails. It’s a complete package and totally worthy of its place within the hallowed pages of Street Machine.

 

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Feature Car: Steve Santos' AP5 Valiant

Steve Santos' 1963 AP5 Valiant

I’ve had the privilege of working with Steve Santos a number of times over the last decade – shooting his cars for various magazines, including his iconic twin-turbo Walky and blown BOSS-powered XY Falcon.

More recently I spent a few days down in the nation’s capital and photographed Steve’s two latest projects: a super tasty LS-powered EH wagon and this truly fine turbocharged and injected, slant-six AP5 Valiant sedan. What’s even more special is the fact that Steve built the car of a few months as a gift for his father!

Despite the short time frame, this was a proper rebuild. The engine bay was smoothed, wiring hidden, bodywork straightened to perfection and the interior gutted and finely restored and brought well and truly into the 21st century. 

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

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Feature Car: Jovan Batar's 1984 XE Ford Falcon

There’s now doubting that 1980s Ford Falcons are booming in popularity right now. I must have photographed four or five in the last couple of years that have all been stand-out quality and Jovan Batar’s 1984 XE Ford Falcon is no exception.
Boasting a 369ci Dart-based stroker, flawless Galaxy Grey metallic paint and a period-looking interior treatment, it’s all top notch stuff for Jovan Batar’s Ford Falcon. But it’s the attention to detail that really makes it shine.
The crazy thing is, that Jovan wasn’t even intending to build the Falcon to anywhere near the level that he has, because he’s already building an elite-level 1965 XP Falcon coupe!
The car was featured in the January issue of Street Machine.

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As always, we’ve got a series of FREE desktop wallpaper images for you to enjoy. Simply CLICK HERE or on the thumbnails below to visit our Flickr page where all the goodies lay in wait for your visit.

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Feature Car: Paul Knowles' Holden VK Commodore

I photographed Paul Knowles’ Holden VK Commodore years ago for Street Commodores when it was blue-over-silver and powered by a hot Holden V8. Several years later and the car has been fully rebuilt thanks to a horror smash.

Now resplendent in full white paint with contrasting black Simmons FR rims, the car looks totally on-trend. The old cream interior has been replaced with an all-black leather and suede affair to match the Simmons and the Warspeed 403ci L98-based stroker. Where most opt for a blower or turbos these days, Paul Knowles’ Holden VK Commodore is all motor, but looks the business with that tunnel ram poking through the bonnet, topped by a pair of 750cfm Holley carbs.

Out back, a braced, sheet-metal 9in houses 35-spline axles and 4.11:1 gears which should cope with any punishment Paul dishes out onto those poor FR20s and Pirelli P-Zero tyres. The car was featured in the November 2019 issue of Street Machine.

BUY A SHIRT, PRINT AND MORE!

As always, we’ve got a series of FREE desktop wallpaper images for you to enjoy. Simply CLICK HERE or on the thumbnails below to visit our Flickr page where all the goodies lay in wait for your visit.

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