Editorial Welcome to the very first Issue of Killer Fords… People often ask me whether I am into Holden’s or Fords. The short answer is yes! Doing what I do, I get to see a variety of cool cars wearing all sorts of badges, and whilst I do love the Mopar brand, I still appreciate all modified cars no matter what showroom they have rolled out of. So how did Killer Fords come about? I’ve been publishing Killer Rides magazine each month for the past two years and during that time, I have come across some very cool Fords and featured many of them. So with no dedicated Ford-based magazine on the market anymore, I’ve decided to put a selection of them together into one magazine – and with that, Killer Fords was created! Check out the variety in this very first issue! There’s something for everyone, I hope. Here’s the good part. If I can get the support for this first Issue, there’s a very good chance that Killer Fords will become a regular online publication out of the Killer Rides stable. I’m hoping it does, but that’s entirely up to you. I think the $5 price tag I’ve attached is more than reasonable. Really, it’s just a bottle of Coke or a Coffee each issue to get your Ford fix. That’s not too much to ask, I’m sure. With a bit of luck, by the time this mag is online, we’ll be back to normality and able to enjoy the car scene yet again. If that’s the case, I’ll be showcasing as many cool Ford cars and events as I can find. So please, spread the word and let’s get Killer Fords out there to the Blue Oval faithful. Enjoy the read, Paul…
Digital Publishing
Online Motoring Magazines With Attitude!
To advertise in any of these titles, please contact Paul Beck - Publishing Editor (0432) 795336 - paul@killerrides.com.au
18 Big Block XC Coupe
Issue #01 - June 2020 WHATS INSIDE! 06 FORD NEWS News, views and things of interest 12 CONSTRUCTION ZONE Revealing Fords in the Build 18
PARENTAL GUIDANCE XC Falcon Coupe
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BATHURST AUTOFEST Tough Fords at the Mountain!
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9-sec Modern Mustang
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Big block, show stunner
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Spotlight on XW/XY
36 BOLT FROM THE BLUE XY Falcon Sedan 44
WILD COYOTE 2017 Mustang
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PICK UP ARTIST 1956 F100
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MELBOURNE SHOWCARS Fords on Show
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THE GLORY DAYS XA Fairmont Sedan
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT Ford’s XW & XY
100 PERSISTANCE PAYS OFF 427ci Street & Strip Capri 108 RAISING HELL XR Falcon Ute FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF
er F100
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Bathurst Autofest
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604ci XY Falcon
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68 Melbourne Showcars
78 Rammed XA Falcon 108 Blown XR Falcon Ute
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427ci Pro-Street Capri
News KILLER FORD ENGINE
In the current issue of Super Rod Magazine, we have a feature on one of the most unique ’34 Ford hot rods on the planet and the exposed engine is a talking point no matter where Craig Hurkett cruises the Roadster. Check it out! Under all that piping is a 527ci big block Ford stroker that has two turbo’s and lives on a strict diet of LPG. The custom set-up will be good for upwards of 1000hp when Craig gets the tune fully sorted. 06
See the full feature on Craig’s Roadster in Issue #2 of Super Rod. Check it out at www.superrod.com.au
FORD BUILDS 1400HP QUARTER-MILE ELECTRIC MUSTANG RACECAR It may not be noisy, but damn, this new electric Mustang, built by Ford is fast! The proto-type Mustang is a purpose built drag car as an insight into Drag Racing in the not so distant future. Ford Performance are hoping the battery powered ‘Stang will convince American car buyers that electricpower is the way to go. The Cobra Jet 1400 project is said to be that car. Global Director of Ford Performance Motorsport, Mark Rushbrook, is hoping that this will set the benchmark and will be the first of many such projects to pass through his company and eventually, onto the paying public. With electric motors supplied by the same company that supplies powerplants for race cars in Formula 1, Formula E, Le Mans and Pike Peak, the Mustang is anything but mundane with more than a mega-watt of
power (1400hp) and a staggering 1500Nm of torque. It’s silent and deadly. On the strip, Ford are claiming the electric Mustang will cover the standing quarter in the low 8-sec zone at around 170mph! Ford says it plans to debut the Mustang later in 2020, and have released a very short teaser video (below) showing the car at what appears to be the 07 Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
News
THEY SOLD FOR HOW MUCH?
10 MOST EXPENSIVE MUSCLE CARS EVER TO GO UNDER THE HAMME
Muscle cars are better than money in the bank these days, so it comes as no surprise to see s mad American’s handing over huge amounts of money to own a rare piece of muscle car hist Ford’s took place in the Most Expensive list and can brag about taking the first, second and t with number ten.
10th – 1965 Shelby Cobra Roadster CSX - $1.595 million
This car was originally built in the UK, but in September of 1961, Ford Motor Company’s Carroll Shelby asked if AC Motors could build a frame to accept a V8 engine, as Ford wanted a car that could compete with the Corvette.
08 Sold at Barratt-Jackson
Auto Auctions in Scottsdale in 2015.
3rd – 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 Super Snake
This CSX 3015 is literally the rarest Cobra tha only two Super Snakes ever built and the on It has nearly 1,000-HP from its twin superch Shelby built this monster for himself becau out how fast it could actually go.
Sold at Barratt-Jackson Auto Auctions in 2nd – 1964 Ford GT40 Prototype - $7 million
This GT40 was Henry Ford’s debut entry in Le Mans and has been driven by the likes of Bruce McLaren, Bob Bondurant, Phil Hill and Chris Amon and has been raced in-period at locations like Le Mans, Sebring, Daytona, Nassau, and Monza. It’s even said to be the very first GT40 delivered to Shelby American for development.
Sold at Houston Mecum Auction in 2014
KILLER FORD VIDEO DRIVE IT LIKE YOU STOLE IT!
ER AT AUCTION!
some cashed-up, cartory. No less than four third positions, along
e - $5.115 million
at exists, as it is one of nly one left surviving. harged 427 V8. Carroll use he wanted to find
n Scottsdale in 2015.
1st – 1962 Shelby Cobra CSX2000 - $13.75 million
This particular Cobra is extraordinary for more than just being the first-assembled by Carroll Shelby and his crew. It was painted several different colors within its first year of existence as it 09 was shipped from event to event in order to make it seem as if production had officially kicked off. It, in fact, hadn’t, but the trick worked. It finally ended up the brilliant shade of blue you see today, and it’s impressively never been restored (which is very observable with dents and dings throughout the body and mismatched paint colors hiding in layers all over the chassis). Despite these flaws, however, it ended up being the most expensive American car ever sold.
Sold at RM Sotheby’s
News KILLER RIDES MAGAZINE
If early Mustangs are your thing, head over to our sister magazine, Killer Rides and check out the blown, Pro-Touring ’68 Mustang that graces the cover of Issue #24. Simply click on the cover to be taken to over to killerrides.com.au to see what all the hype is about!
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NSW ALL FORD DAY 2020 CANCELLED!
At the time of putting this issue together, word came through to my office that the 2020 NSW All Ford Day has also fallen victim to the Covid-19 pandemic. This is terrible news as this event was one of the largest of its type in Australia and always had a huge variety of cars - both stock and modified, on display at Sydney Dragway. Looks like we have to wait until 2021 to see that event, like many others, back on the calender...
In the Build
HARDCORE H It’s a brave man that takes on someone else’s build part the way through the process. But that’s exactly what Tony McMahon did…
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Finding a good example of an XA/XB/XC coupe to start the rebuild journey with can work one of a few ways. You find what looks like a good car, only to find there’s more bog than steel in the panels. Or, you hand over a sizeable house deposit for a “resto”, again, only to find out that a number of short cuts have been taken and you need to strip it and start again. Or, like our man Tony did, buy a shell that had been blasted and was on a rotisserie with everything exposed so there was nothing hiding to give him a shock when the work started.
A tough coupe like this, needs a won’t be lacking in the horsepo
Tony McMahon - XB GS Falcon Coupe
Hardtop
800hp 434ci Cleveland Arrow Block Powerglide Auto 13
Porsche Jet Black Paint
tough driveline, and it definitely ower department when finished.
In the Build The coupe itself is a genuine XB GS and since coming into Tony’s garage, has had both the inner and outer sills replaced, been minitubbed, had the fuel filler deleted, the shock towers notched and gained a steel reverse-cowl to the original bonnet. There’s been a hell of a lot of work gone into the aging sheet metal and when
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Tony was satisfied it was bang on, the Porsche Jet Black paint was added, revealing the gun-barrel straight panels – testament to the huge effort put into the body in readiness for colour. Inside, there will be four bucket seats with a custom centre console running from the reworked dash through to the parcel shelf.
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Once completed, Tony plans to hit the quarter mile in an effort to run a 9-second pass and then it will be a “Pub-runner� and occasional track car...
In the Build
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A tough coupe like this, needs a tough driveline, and it definitely won’t be lacking in the horsepower department when finished. Tony is having Paulik Engines piece together a stout Cleveland combo sporting an Arrow block filled with top shelf gear and a pair of 245 3V heads that will see the 434ci small block produce around 800hp! Backing the engine will be a Powerglide trans with straight-cut gears and a 4000rpm converter. There’s a four-link and nine-inch with 3.9-gears and 35-spline axles going under the Falcon’s modified rear end with 15x12” Convo Pro wheels and equally as impressive 325/50 Street Slick tyres filling the new tubs. Up front the Convo’s are much smaller and bolt up to the complete RRS suspension set-up that’s been fitted to help the big coupe stop, handle and steer much better than it ever has.
Pro-Street Rubber!
There’s been a hell of a lot of work gone into the aging sheet metal and when Tony was satisfied it was bang on, the Porsche Jet Black paint was added, revealing the gun-barrel straight panels...
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Once completed, Tony plans to hit the quarter mile in an effort to run a 9-second pass and then it will be a “Pub-runner” and occasional track car at events like the West Coast Nats. Wearing EXTREME XB rego plates, this XB is sure to live up to its branding…
Do you have a tough Ford in the build that you’d like to show off? Send in some pics and info for consideration to paul@killerrides.com.au!
PARENTA RUBIN NIKOLOVSKI - 1978 XC FALCON Words / Pics / Video - Paul Beck
Gui
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When you’re an impressionable young boy and you’re Dad tak delivery of a brand-new Falcon Coupe, there’s every chance th some of his love of cars would be handed down the line…
AL
e c n a id
kes hat
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Not only did Rubin Nikolovski get lucky in the Gene pool and scored his Dad’s passion for tough street cars, but eventually the Falcon coupe was handed down the line too. That was many years ago, and the version you see before you now, is nowhere near how the journey started out for Rubin. When dear old Dad rocked up into the family driveway in his new acquired Falcon two-door, it was hard to tell who was smiling the most – Dad or Rubin. Back then, this car was bright yellow, had a black vinyl roof complete with a sunroof, a spoiler kit, wider chrome wheels and blackout over the yellow body. The driveline consisted of a 302, C4 and Borg Warner rear end. Hardly exciting by today’s standards, but wild enough in 1978 to have both father and son feeling like they were on top of 20
the world. The time had come for Rubin to take possession and like most young guys at the time, Rubin wanted more. More power, more style and much more attitude! The engine bay soon scored a new engine – this time with a lot more cubic inches than his Dad had ever intended to shove under the Falcon’s bonnet. A big block sporting 460-cubic inches was jammed in between to those damn shock towers to almost overfill the engine compartment. Rubin was all about making an impact with his version of the coupe. He soon added an 8/71 blower and two big Holley carbs to feed the fire. While the look was awesome, not everyone shared the same belief of “bigger is always better” with Rubin.
Not only did Rubin Nikolovski get lucky in the Gene pool and scored his Dad’s passion for tough street cars, but eventually the Falcon coupe was handed down the line too.
He persiste make the c induction c The blowe with a Proch 1395cfm BG Check out t together. A will have a that should OK Ford d the pumpe Raceglides! cuber can d The facto Rubin pulle axles and a 4800rpm to
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ed with the “through the bonnet” look for years before deciding it was time to make amends and car more user-friendly when cruising the streets. What was just going to be a quick tidy up and change turned into a complete rebuild. er and carbs were unbolted from the 460 leaving a huge hole for Rubin to fill. And fill it he did, harger hanging off the side of the now 520ci big block stroker. Fuel supply is handled by a single G Carby that has been modified by Jakes Racing Engines to operate as a blow-through system. the spec list – the engine package features some of the Industries finest companies hanging out Although it is still to have a proper tune, the Falcon has shown some promise of its abilities and crack for some serious quarter-mile action soon enough. With approximately 1500hp on tap, d be wild ride. diehards, just walk away for a minute while I explain to the people, what sort of gearbox backs ed 520ci Monster. C10? Nope. C6? Guess again! How about a GM-spec Turbo 400 built by Al’s ! Rated at 2500hp, the three-speed box will handle anything Rubin and his Procharged 520dish out. ory Borg Warner rear-end remains in place… No not really, it would self-destruct the second ed it in to gear. A suitably modified 9-inch diff is ready for action and carries 3.5-gears, 35-spline a Detroit Locker centre. A TCE converter fronts the bullet-proof box and has a stall speed of o handle the excesses coming from the 520ci engine.
Lots of work has been made to the Falcon’s underpinnings including chassis-connectors, brak were swapped over for the Weld Magnums you see here. These wheels once served time on Tris When Rubin decided to give the big coupe a makeover, a change of colour was always going so much impact that Rubin knew it was the right choice for the XC. In its first incarnation, the Fa (cool at the time) front spoiler. This time around, everything has changed – except the colour! Whilst the Tangelo Orange Pearl remains, it has been given a new coat or two of colour thanks black-outs added - just enough to add some contrast to the body colour. An intercooler now si Essentially the body looks untouched except for the bonnet, but upon closer inspection, the s modified and an engine plate is used to locate the engine into place.
OK Ford diehards, just walk away for a minute while I explain to the what sort of gearbox backs the pumped 520ci Monster. C10? Nop Guess again! How about a GM-spec Turbo 400 built by Al’s Raceg
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OWNER: Rubin Nikolovski VEHICLE: 1978 XC Falcon Coupe ENGINE: 520ci big block Ford built by Gabby at Proform. 460ci 4-bolt block, Scat 4340 stroker c kit, Edelbrock Victor Junior heads, Manley valves, Victor Junior 460 intake manifold, 1395cfm BG volume sump, Aeromotive fuel pump, custom extractors with 4-inch collectors with two-sets o TRANS: Turbo 400 by Al’s Race Glides, transbrake, built to handle 2500hp, B&M Bandit shifter, 4 WHEELS: Front: 15x4” Weld Magnum Rear: 15x10” Weld Magnum SUSPENSION: Front: Co BRAKES: Front: Wilwood discs and calipers. Rear: Wilwood Master cylinder, CVR Vacuum pump THANKS TO: My Dad for parting with the car, Al’s Raceglides, Gabby at Proform, Rod Zilla at Em
kes and suspension upgrades. At one stage, Rubin fitted B45 Simmons to the Coupe, but they stan Ockers MINCER Capri and look awesome sitting under the big XC’s guards. to happen. He was inspired by FAT57 when it first appeared in Orange Pearl. The colour had alcon had a blower and carbs hanging through the bonnet, Gold Simmons wheels and a
s to Rod Zilla from Empire Customs. A big cowl scoop was fitted to the bonnet and minimal its where the front spoiler once did. I know which one I prefer‌ shock towers have been notched to allow the big block to fit, the radiator support has been
e people, pe. C6? glides!
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crank and rod combo, CP pistons, Total Seal rings, Manley pushrods, solid roller cam and lifter G Carby with Pro-Series bowls set up for blow-through system, Steve Morris plenum, highof mufflers, MSD ignition include 6BTM and Blaster coil. POWER: Approx. 1500hp 4800rpm TCE converter. DIFF: 9-inch, shortened, 3.5-gears, 35-spline axles, Detroit Locker. oil overs, custom rack and pinion set-up. Rear: Reset leaf springs with Cal Tracs. p COLOUR: Tangelo Orange BUILD TIME: Ongoing! mpire Customs.
Planet Trim redid the interior trim in black leather for a more modern feel. Rubin once again added his own personal touches to the insides by removing the centre console and fitting the B&M Bandit shifter. While in the modifying mood, Rubin replaced the factory gauges with a host of more reliable and much better looking AutoMeter dials that sit just behind the MOMO wood-rimmed steering wheel. A full sound system is fitted in an effort to drown out the noise of the pumped big block. Rubin has no plans to ever sell this car. It will stay in the family forever. The plan is to keep adding power to it, and with a new set of Oliver rods and stronger crank, he is hoping to push the power to around 2000hp! That doesn’t mean it won’t remain a street car though. A 2000hp street car? Yeah, that could work…
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The time had come for Rubin to take possession and like most young guys at the time, Rubin wanted more. More power, more style and much more attitude!
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MOUNTAIN OF POWER
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2020 BATHURST AUTOFEST - MARCH 6-8 MT PANORAMA, BATHURST, NSW WORDS - PAUL BECK PICS - PAUL BECK, TIM MCCORMACK
N
The annual Bathurst Autofest once again bought more Ford horsepower to the Mountain than any other event before it!
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No matter which way you turned your head, you saw high levels of horsepowerfueled Fords scattered around the pit area of Australia’s most famous race track. From mid-afternoon on the Friday, they arrived in droves. Car after car overflowing with shear grunt lined up at scrutineering to get the once over from the organisers and those hanging around to see just what cars had entered one of Australia’s mostanticipated motoring events. With Bathurst just a couple of hours of easy driving from Sydney, owners of all kinds of Fords headed towards Australia’s Motorsport capital and each one of them eager to get proceedings started early on Saturday morning where the program included not just a show and shine, but also the Graba-Flag, Super Sprints, Autokhana, Heads-up go to whoa and of course, the Burnouts.
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The p the
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program offered entrants plenty of time behind wheel to put themselves and their cars to the test in front of a sometimes-vocal crowd.
The program offered entrants plenty of time behind the wheel to put themselves and their cars to the test in front of a sometimes-vocal crowd. I even spotted a few Victorian and Queensland number plates amongst the entered vehicles which is great to see. With the threat of impending wet weather, the drivers put in a big effort early, just in case the wet stuff fell possibly putting an end to them being able to put on a show. Some pushed a little too hard though with one particular Falcon six30 pack with its blower and injector hat force-feeding the engine, not taking too kindly to the constant highrevs, which resulted in a couple of rather large holes in the block. We heard tales of woe that included fried transmissions, snapped tail-shafts and rear-ends just letting go. Of course, no burnout comp would be complete without some cars being engulfed in flames and this year, several cars rear ends suffered third degree burns – much to the delight of those watching on from the sidelines! Such is the life of a burnout competitor!
Even though the m car to hook up and chance to lay a cou
main straight events were more about getting your d get to the other end first, some saw it as the perfect uple of thick black strips down that famous straight. 31
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With Bathurst just a couple of hours of all kinds of Fords headed toward
From the top of Mount Panorama, it must have looked like the complex had several fires happening, with hard fought action on the main straight offering up the opportunity to lay some rubber, with more of the same happening in the massive burnout pad that took over a quarter of the huge pit area. Even though the main straight events were more about getting your car to hook up and get to the other end first, some saw it as the perfect chance to lay a couple of thick black strips down that famous straight. No one cared though as it added to the spectacle and as long as no one did anything too silly, it was “smoke ‘em if you can!” Whilst the high-reving engines were doing their thing in the various driving events, the show and shine was happening both under cover in the pit garages and also outside in the expansive pit area. There were some dedicated race cars sprinkled amongst the mix, some cool muscle car resto’s and plenty of oddities.
of easy driving from Sydney, owners ds Australia’s Motorsport capital...
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This is Mt Panorama, so it was always going to be that mega amounts of horsepower were going to reign supreme! There were plenty of blown cars entered and many opted for an EFI-equipped injector hat, whilst those not up on technology stuck with a pair of big carbs to fuel the fire. Whatever the case, it was great to hear all that horsepower 34 being unleashed upon the Bathurst compound. Its no secret that Autofest brings more horsepower to the mountain than any other event, and for that reason alone, we’ll keep coming back to Bathurst each March to soak up the annual power party! For a full list of who won what, check out the Autofest website – www.autofest.com.au
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BOLT u l B e th m o r F 36
ANGUS & RAY PIROTTA - 1971 XY FALCON WORDS / PICS / Video - Paul Beck
ue 37
An incident in the home garage kick-started a rebuild that was only ever going to be a repaint. Yep, we know how that story goes!
More often than not, car enthusiasts need only the slightest excuse to make some upgrades to their weekend cruiser. Sometimes you have to go looking for a reason to justify the time and cost, and sometimes fate plays a part – and that’s what happened to Ray and Angus Pirotta with their XY Falcon. The father and son duo were more than happy cruising in their GTinspired Falcon with its 351 running sweet and the Electric blue paint glistening. Ray had grown up around this era of tough Falcon’s with his father sharing the same taste in cars. In fact, Ray had owned this car since he was 18! After some shelving dislodged in the garage and found itself taking out the side of the once pristine Falcon, Ray was forced with having to have the Falcon’s body and paint fixed, but as seems to be the case for those with high-octane fuel running through their veins, the desire to take the Falcon to the next level took over and before too long the XY had been stripped down to its birthday suit in preparation for a host of upgrades and a whole new Pro-Touring attitude. Whilst the 351 Clevo engine was no slouch, the need for more horsepower saw Ray opt for a A460ci ‘Eliminator’ big block. The team at Winmalee Car Care in the NSW Blue Mountains were given the task of building a very special engine combo that would grace the Falcon’s engine bay like a piece of jewellery in a box. 38 Obviously, the hero piece of this engine is the trick injection set-up manufactured by Shaun’s Custom Alloy. The eight throttle-body set-up supplies ample amounts of Premium pump fuel to the Trick Flow alloyheaded big block below. Most people would be expecting to see the Shaker when the bonnet is lifted, and with the bonnet down, that’s what you’d expect. But the Shaker is a permanent fixture to the bonnet giving the Falcon that classic GT look whilst hiding the real heart of the engine combo. Now sporting an impressive 604 cubic inches, the over-sized bottom end features a 4.5” crank and 4.625” rods to achieve the goal. Whoever said size doesn’t matter obviously never got to drive a 600-plus cube classic muscle car! Although the engine hasn’t been dyno’d, those in the know reckon there’s a conservative 800-plus horsepower on offer.
Obviously, the h by Shaun’s Cust Premiu
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hero piece of this engine is the trick injection set-up manufactured tom Alloy. The eight throttle-body set-up supplies ample amounts of um pump fuel to the Trick Flow alloy-headed big block below.
In keeping with the Pro-Touring theme, the big block has been backed with a 6-speed Tremec Magnum box that feeds the power rearwards to the full-floater Race Products rear end. If you can take your eyes off the gorgeous Rushforth wheels for just a moment, you’ll notice the large Pizza sized disc rotors and 6-spot VTTR calipers front and rear. There’s also a host of RRS gear added to the Falcon’s underside including the master cylinder (under the dash), front struts, rear custom coil overs and a complete rack and pinion steering assembly. Lowered King springs have also been added. The Falcon now handles and brakes as well as it performs! After changing so much of the Falcon’s drive line, Ray and Angus thought a change of colour was on the cards. The boys spotted this cool custom blue on a Mustang at SEMA but when Ray contacted 40
the owner, he wasn’t interested in sharing the paint code. Option two was for the then 15-year old Angus to write an email saying he was building a Falcon and really loved the colour. Long story short, the owner was happy to help Angus out and sent the paint code which PPG then mixed for Glen at the Repair Shed to lay onto the smoothed-out body. GT-spec black outs and cool 604-GT striping complete the body and paint. Opening the doors reveals what appears to be a pristine GT Falcon interior. Certainly, the black leather, GT-badging and woodgrain highlights indicate as such. The boys drive the wheels off the Falcon so the interior is more about practicality than anything else. The stereo has been updated with a retro-digital head unit and better quality speakers for when the boys get tired of listening to the sound of those trumpets inhaling copious amounts of air!
Whoever said size doesn’t matter obviously never got to drive a 600-plus cube classic muscle car!
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This isn’t the only cool car in the Pirotta stable with a blown ’57 Chev and elite-styled LC Torana also taking up space in the garage. With more additions happening soon, this Father and Son team are building quite a collection of toys. You know what they say, the family that plays together, stays together. Good thing they have a common interest in tough street cars…
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OWNERS: Ray and Angus Pirotta VEHICLE: 1971 XY Falcon ENGINE: 604ci Ford Big Block, A460 Eliminator base built by Winmalee Car Care, Custom 8-throttle-body EFI by Shaun’s Custom Alloy, Trick Flow alloy heads, 4.625” pistons, 4.5” crank, Total Seal Rings, Oliver rods, Pac valve springs, John Kaase oil pump, Shaun’s Custom Alloy radiator, Liverpool Exhaust headers POWER: Approx. 800hp on 98 pump fuel TRANS: Tremec Magnum 6-speed, triple-plate clutch, QuickTime bellhousing. DIFF: Race Products Full Floater WHEELS: 18X8.5 / 20X10 Rushforth Wheels SUSPENSION: Front: King Springs, RRS Struts, RRS rack and pinion steering. Rear: King Springs, RRS shocks. BRAKES: Huge discs with 6-spot VTTR calipers front and rear, RRS under-dash master cylinder. COLOUR: PPG mixed Super Blue from Painthouse in Texas, USA. GT-spec blackouts. THANKS TO: Winmalee Car Care, Shaun’s Custom Alloy, Glen at the Repair Shed, PPG, Painthouse Texas, Liverpool Exhaust.
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TODD O’LEARY_2017 MUSTANG
WORDS / PICS / VIDEO – Paul Beck
Wild
COYOTE 44
There’s no denying that late model, high-tech engines respond well to performance modifications. Whilst the LS-crew think the Chev engine is king, the Mopar and Ford boys both think they are also in the mix with their modern muscle powerplants. Ford’s Coyote engine has already gained a cult following around the world with low ET’s and big mph passes already happening in the US. On our soil, thanks for guys like Todd, the Coyotepowered Mustang is starting to hit its straps on and off the street.
“As a young bloke into cars, I was a regular at Eastern Creek Dragway in the 90’s, racing cars like turbo Gemini’s, a turbo V6 Hilux and an FJ20 turbo Corolla,” explained Todd. After getting married and having a mortgage to deal with, sacrifices had to be made, so the Corolla was sold off to finance carpets and blinds in the new house, effectively ending Todd’s play time at the track.
After piloting a few tough turbo street and strip cars back in the 90’s, Todd O’Leary has returned to the scene with a tough, blown 5-litre late-model Mustang.
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Fast forward twenty years and with the house, work, wife and three kids all taken care off, Todd re-found that itch to get back on the quarter mile again. Todd’s weapon of choice was to be an old-school Mustang, but after mentioning to mate Shane Hardiman his intentions, Shane told Todd of his mate who was getting big results supercharging latemodel Mustangs. Without thinking about it any further, Todd headed to MFP in Queensland to see first-hand just what Matt and the guys were achieving. Saying Todd was impressed is a gross understatement. “I was like, so you’re saying I can have a 10-sec car that has air-con, heated and cooled seats, digital radio and all the bells and whistles of a new car on a stock motor? I’m in!” said Todd with a big smile. “At 47-years of age, having all those creature comforts and being fast too was very appealing.” Todd’s first problem was not to find a suitable car but to convince his wife Nicole that it was the right way to go. Using promises of romantic weekends driving to the Hunter Valley for wine tasting in his sales pitch obviously worked because before too long Todd was on the hunt for a new model Mustang. A few months passed before Todd was rolling out of the Ford dealership in his new 2017 5-litre Mustang. On the trip home, Todd got Matt from MFP on the phone with firm instructions to order the supercharger kit! “I spent a little time in the car and put 46 2000klms on the car before pointing it towards Qld and headed up the freeway to MFP so the boys could get to work on creating a monster for me!” explained Todd.
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Ford’s Coyote engine has already gained a cult following around the world with low ET’s and big mph passes already happening in the US. Being well versed on building blown Coyote combo’s, the MFP crew added a 2.3litre blower kit with twin-67mm throttle bodies, PMAS intake, bigger injectors and a large heat exchanger up front with twin fans to keep the deal cool. Matt also installed his own-design fuel system using twin Fore Innovations pumps. Finishing the engine build is a billet oil-pump gear and crank support – both proven to be weak links in the factoryspec engine. With a tank full of fresh E85 fuel, it was time for a tune. Being a digital world, the tunes are remotely sourced from VMP Performance in the USA through an SCT device. With the new-improved tune loaded up, Todd cruised the 10-hour trip home with ease. The tuning guru from VMP, Joe Goodnough had the Mustang driving like a factory fresh Mustang. As sedate as the coupe was on the open highway, Todd found that when he stood on that loud pedal, all hell was being unleashed through what he thought were sticky Toyo R888R tyres. To date, the 6R80 auto box and factory rear end with 3.55-gears have handled the abuse that Todd has been handing out in spades…
After destroying the tyres on the street, Todd headed out to Sydney Dragway to once again m a pass down the strip. Having not raced for so long, Todd was more than just a little anxious w sitting in the staging lanes. When his pass arrived, he did the burnout and went into stage. A flash of the green bulbs, Todd eased on the throttle and when it hooked up, Todd clicked it second gear and was on a mission. At that point, the Mustang broke traction and went inst sideways. After overcorrecting it and getting a good view of both sides of the track, Todd go the pedal, pulled the Mustang straight, let out a few choice words and called it a night, vowin to return until he had some radials mounted.
Todd and the Mustang didn’t return to the track until his Weld Wheels arrived and the sui rubber was added. Not feeling as nervous this time and knowing he needed just one full pa get some data to the US, Todd edged the Mustang into the staging beams and rattled off a 10. 48 pass at 141mph with a 1.8-sixty-foot time. Upon receiving the time slip, Todd had a grin from e ear. With the data sent to the US to analyse, Joe gave the set up the thumbs up. At the next s meet, the time dropped to 10.1 @ 137mph. A new tune was expressed from the US to try. resulted in a drop in the 60-foot time to a more respectable 1.46-sec.
make whilst At the t into tantly ot off ng not
itable ass to .6-sec ear to street . That
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Todd went on to explain, “As we lined up again for another pass, hopes were high for a 9-sec taking to me via hands-free on the start line, he decided to yell go, go, go – that was all I nee a good thing as we ran 9.64 @ 145mph, making it the fastest supercharged Mustang in the c teched and passed by the IHRA to allow us to go racing again safely. The Pete Cleary fabricat welded in for rigidity and the front section bolted in to allow the car to still be used on the stre of boxes of wine Todd and Nicole try to bring home from their Hunter Valley trips. Apart from t appointments such as the stereo etc. The chute lever is a cool addition to the centre console.
“I was like, so you’re saying I can have a 10-se that has air-con, heated and cooled seats, digita and all the bells and whistles of a new car on a motor? I’m in!” said Todd with a big smile.
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cond ET as all the data gained was pointing towards that number. With good mate Paul Geri eded to put everything in and see what happened. We got kicked out that night – but that’s country!� This is why the car now has a roll cage and parachute. It all had to be added to get ted six-point cage is fitted around a more or less standard issue interior with the rear section eet as originally intended. The cage also continues into the boot area which limits the number the inclusion of the Sparco race seats and harness belts, the interior still features all the factory
ec car al radio a stock
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Externally, the Mustang is almost as per the factory order sheet. The grabber blue paint is a nice change from all the red Mustangs that seem to be everywhere and the black stripes give it that true muscle car feel. The wheel and tyre combo couldn’t be any further from what Ford had intended, but for the Mustang’s intended use, are necessary items. The Weld Racing wheels measure 18x5-inches on the front wrapped in 28” tall Mickey Thompson ET Street rubber whilst the 17x10-inch rear rims carry huge 305/45/17 Mickey Thompson ET Street rubber. The parachute gives the game away – this isn’t any average next-gen Mustang! Suspension wise, Todd has added Eibach Sportline springs to both ends working with standard struts on the front and Viking double-adjustable shocks on the rear to get the coupe hooking up when those green bulbs flash.
Todd still blames Shane f transformation, because about Matt at MFP whic the monster it has beco the Hunter Valley roma not yet. He’s been a little
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THANKS TO: Matt and the team
at MFP Australia. Joe and the crew at VMP Performance. Pete Cleary for the cage install. Liverpool Exhaust. UPR Products. PMAS Intakes.
for the Mustang’s Jekyll and Hyde e it was him who first mentioned ch saw the build snowball into ome. And has he come good on antic weekends away yet? Well, e pre-occupied‌
Race Pic - Grant Stephens / Cackling Pipes 53
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Some car builds are so extreme and taken to the next level that they really do become rolling works of art. Case in point, this stunning ’56 F100…
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DAVID AQUILINA_1956 FORD F100
WORDS / PICS / VIDEO – Paul Beck
This fat Ford pick-up had been subjected to an extensive eight year, show car build, yet it sports a 900hp, 600ci Steve Schmidt big block Ford, chop top and over-the-top wheel and tyre combo. Yes, it almost too good for regular street use, but as owner Dave Aquilina sees it, if you’ve got it, use it! Can’t have all that engine going to waste!
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As wide as with the gob
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they are, those big rear bags can’t cope bs of torque the big block pushes at them. Dave’s a car guy having owned plenty of cool rides over the years, most of which wore the blue oval badge including his current project, a John Goss Falcon Coupe that he is restoring. As a young guy just getting into cars, he remembers drawing many different cars, but it’s the early F100’s that have stuck in his mind. So, when the opportunity came to purchase this F-Truck, the desire to live out a child hood dream was just too strong to ignore. The truck was built in Queensland, which is where Dave picked it up from at 782 Motors.
What sealed the deal for Dave was that mega-cube Ford engine. Having a Chev powering it just wouldn’t have the same appeal for Dave. The engine is a Steve Schmidt-built big block sporting no less than 600 cubic inches! Say it slowly and its even more impressive! Based in Indianapolis, Steve Schmidt Competition Engines have a huge reputation for making lots of horsepower in aspirated form. Dave’s big block relies on a single Quick Fuel carb that sends the fuel through the Trick Flow intake for the big bang to happen down below. Dave’s not too sure of the engines internals, but we can tell you it uses Trick Flow alloy heads, fabricated headers that flow into a dual 3.5-inch stainless system and a cam that scares little old ladies when stopped at pedestrian crossings. The most important part of this engine build is the horsepower and this one makes plenty. Thank god the F100 has a big engine bay, because there’s more than 900 ponies hiding under that big bonnet! It doesn’t look half bad either! Backing that big lump of an engine is a purpose-built Turbo 400 auto designed to handle the power being pushed through it with ease. The converter has a stall speed of 3500rpm. The third member of the driveline trio is a narrowed Race Productions 9-inch diff using tough axles, a four-link and Watts link assembly. 60
The chassis has had on Accu-Air suspens wheels of choice are impressive 24x12-inc can’t cope with the g
What sealed the deal for Dave was that mega-cube Ford engine.
many hours put into it to, to offer a much better ride than it did in 1956. Both ends now rely sion to supply a smooth drive and also get it slammed down low when not on the move. The Billet Raceline measuring a huge 22x10-inches on the front (with 255/30 Kumho tyres) and an ches on the fat rear end wrapped in 305/35 Kumho’s. As wide as they are, those big rear bags gobs of torque the big block pushes at them. Wilwood discs and calipers handle the braking.
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It’s almost a shame to cover that detailed bright red chassis, but when you have a body like this F100, it needs to be shown off! Chris at BMV Engineering handled the initial metal work including the roof chop that saw 150mm of height removed from the roofline. Whilst noticeable. The new roof line doesn’t look out of proportion. The sheet-metal has been smoothed off with all mouldings, badges and bumper bars now a distant memory. Moving rearward from the reworked cab reveals a tray that is simply a work of art. Keeping the F100’s original-styled rear guards, Chris reshaped the tray to include the wheel tubs and clearance for the rear end when the air is let out of the bags. The stamped tailgate is no longer operational, not that you’d want to lower it to put stuff in the back now anyway! The complete rear of the truck is now smooth and has a recessed MORTAL numberplate, LED brake lights and a trick centre-mount exhaust opening. Matt King at Kings Customs in Kunda Park in Qld, finished off the metal work and applied the silky-smooth Titan Silver from the Honda colour chart.
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The engine is a Steve Schmidt-built big block sporting no less than 600 cubic inches! Say it slowly and its even more impressive!
THANKS TO to follow m at Andy’s Kings Cust for the cus Cameron H
O: My understanding wife Kerry. She is such a huge supporter of everything I do and encourages me my dreams. My good mate Carl for helping with some paint touch ups, buffing and polishing. Andy Restoration for his advice and help. Wayne at A1 Automotive for his invaluable help. Matt King at toms for the body and paint. Tyler at Rewire Australia for the expert wiring. Chris at BMV Engineering stom metal fabrication. Peter Delaney at Diamond Valley Old School for the initial mechanical work. Hayward at North Coast Custom Trim for the Interior work.
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In stark contrast to the body colour, the interior has been restyled and covered in a mix of Red Elmosoft leather and Alcantara suede that now covers the big bench seat, door trims and headlining. The Mercedes square weave carpet blends in nicely with the material and internal metal that has been coated in Nissan Red. The standard issue dash facia now holds a bunch of late model gauges and was sourced from Dakota Digital. The tilt billet steering column is topped by an old school wheel in black and to keep the floor space uncluttered, a column mount shifter has been used. Dave reckons that even with the roof chop, there’s plenty of space inside the cabin, even for his six-foot frame! Cameron Hayward at North Coast Custom Trim handled the top shelf stitch work.
In ha Elm 64
It’s obvious that there was no expense spared in the build of this custom truck. Vehicles like this rarely get offered up for sale, and Dave wants to send a special thank you to his wife Kerry for encouraging him to do what makes him happy. When Dave showed Kerry the F100, she pushed him into buying it, despite the hefty price tag. Good work Kerry! Though spare time is at a premium for Dave, he tries to get the truck out occasionally for a cruise. There’s a couple of show appearances coming up including Killer Rides Live #4 in August. But for Dave, it’s not all about driving it and showing it. He did admit that he enjoys cleaning it and just looking at it. Much the same way you would sit and stare at a prized piece of artwork in a gallery.
stark contrast to the body colour, the interior as been restyled and covered in a mix of Red mosoft leather and Alcantara suede... 65
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After 8-years of bringing some of the best cars and bikes togeth at Moonee Valley Racecourse, the Showcars Melbourne Showdow reached new heights in 2020!
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SHOWCARS MELBOURNE SHOWDOWN #9 - MOONEE VALLEY RACECOURSE – FEB 23RD, 2020 PICS – CHAD SILVEY WORDS – PAUL BECK
her wn
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With more than 800 cars and bikes filing every available space inside and outside of the racecourse, the ninth running of the Showcars Melbourne Showdown was, by far, the biggest event that Elvis Barbieri and his team have put together. The indoor entrants started arriving to set up on the Saturday, with the majority of the cars and bikes rolling in early on Sunday morning to find a spot and be prepared for when the gates opened to the awaiting spectators all chomping at the bit to get inside the grounds and check out the automotive artistry on display.
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With around 65 awards on offer, plus fou as well, meant that the event dragged in the East Coast, putting on quite
ur Meguiar’s Superstars spots available n some of the most revered show cars on a show for the massive crowd...
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With around 65 awards on offer, plus four Meguiar’s Superstars spots available as well, meant that the event dragged in some of the most revered show cars on the East Coast, putting on quite a show for the massive crowd that made their way to the Racecourse to check out what was on offer. The high-end of the show car entrant list included some cool Fords including Steve Aldrick, who had both the ‘32 Roadster and XR Falcon Ute on display.
With more than 800 cars outside of the race Melbourne Sh
s and bikes filing every available space inside and ecourse, the ninth running of the Showcars howdown was, by far, the biggest event...
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Apart from the show cars, there were lots of cool, tough and interesting Fords scattered around the display areas. Michael Taranto’s nitrous big block Customline coupe and, Jon Sandham’s BIGNLO blown Fairlane amongst those getting a lot of attention. No matter which way you turned, you were greeted by cool cars and there was something for everyone, no matter what your taste in cars was.
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...there was plenty happening with an array of traders on hand and lots of food outlets on offer.
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To keep the crowds entertained, live music was being supplied by The Mighty Kings and when they were taking a break, DJ Lou and Sandra Horne were keeping every one informed of what was happening. And there was plenty happening with an array of traders on hand and lots of food outlets on offer. Our man Chad Silvey had his camera working overtime at the event, giving me lots of pics to choose from. So kick back and enjoy the biggest, one-day show ‘n’ shine Melbourne has to offer – the Showcars Melbourne, Showdown #9!
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Shop online now @ WWW.SPEEDPRO.COM.AU 11 A I R L I E AV E N U E , D A N D E N O N G V I C 3 17 5
P H O N E 0 3 9 7 9 4 517 7
The
GLORY s y a D
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Back before hi-tech wizardry had entered the world of Street Machining, tough cars relied on cubic inches, twin carbs and tunnel ram manifolds!
LORENZO CAPOGNA - 1972 XA FAIRMONT
WORDS / PICS / VIDEO – Paul Beck
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When Lorenzo Capogna bought this numbers-matching XA Fairmont, the idea was to build a tough Pro-Street car that focussed entirely on reeling off low ET’s on the quarter mile. Whilst it was still going to resemble a street car, the main goal was to build a race car. Right through the build process, (which took some 13-years to complete!), Lorenzo rarely faulted from that original end goal. But the longer the process took, the more his attention turned towards keeping the car more street than strip. “The closer we got to completing the build, I changed my mind and decided the car was turning out too nice to race,” Lorenzo explained. “So now I just drive the hell out of it and it drives so nice!” That’s not to say the XA will never see any motorsport action, with Lorenzo already tackling the Cootamundra 400 sprints on the air-strip with a plan to have a go at the increasingly-popular Roll Racing – but just for some fun… Race Pic Supplied By
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So why did the car take so long to complete? Lorenzo is a firm believer in doing things once and doing them right. That meant getting the right people on board from the outset and that not only means waiting for your spot in their workshop, but also having the necessary bucks to pay for their talents and workmanship. There’s a reason why the most successful workshops have long lines of car owners waiting.
O b en
On the dyno, the aspirated big-cube, small block produced an impressive 705hp with nough torque to fry those big Hoosier tyres.
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Engine wise, there was just one team that Lorenzo had in mind – Trick & Mansweto Racing. Back when the boys occupied the same shop, they took the factory 351 from its original mounts and set about building a much tougher version the old school way. Known for their ability to extract huge power from aspirated engines, it was a no brainer for Lorenzo. There were stipulations though. Lorenzo wanted dual four-barrel carbs and tunnel ram intake. It’s obvious that Lorenzo got his way, with a Tristan Triccas-built, CNC sheet-metal tunnel ram intake manifold taking pride of place between the reworked heads and the matching pair of 750cfm Pro-System carbs that feed the fire below. Visually, the induction system is the hero part of this stout engine combo. But it’s what you can’t see that also impresses.
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After the Scat crank and rod combo was added, the capacity increased to 393-inches...
Whilst Tristan w the Scat crank also joining th the world know over and bolte 98 fuel, a pair o block produce
was busy fabricating the intake, Jason set about piecing together the long engine. After k and rod combo was added, the capacity increased to 393-inches with suitable pistons he party at the same time. The cam is from the CamTech range and gives an idle that lets w this is one tough mother of an engine. Tristan gave the CHI alloy heads a thorough once ed them into place in readiness for the induction. After the ICE ignition sparks the Premium of Pacemaker 4-into-1 headers dump the gases. On the dyno, the aspirated big-cube, small ed an impressive 705hp with enough torque to fry those big Hoosier tyres.
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Al’s Raceglides were entrusted to build a C4 auto capable of handling the 700-plus horsepow going to be packing. Al is well versed in building tough boxes to suit any application and components in Lorenzo’s C4. Fronted with a serious 6200rpm Dominator converter and using pattern shifter, the box has yet to give any sign of struggling with the job at hand. Continuin through the driveline, Lorenzo sent the Fairmont to Pete Cleary at Pro Modifications to mini-t and also supply and fit a narrowed 9-inch diff fitted with 4.11-gears in the Tru-Trac centre wi axles sending the power to the blacktop.
Not one to leave anything to chance, Lorenzo upgraded the entire suspension using QA1 co end and replacing the stock leaf springs with more suitable, stronger versions that have bee accommodate the larger wheel and tyre combo. QA1 double-adjustable shocks offer a firm Caltrac’s were fitted to help cope with the power going to the rear end. Stopping the big For left up to the tried and tested disc and drum combination that hide behind the 17x4.5-inch a V-Series rims wrapped in M/T 17x26 and Hoosier 12.5x29x15 rubber giving the XA that traditi
Inside, the theme switches betwee tough street car and restored Fairmo
32
wer the XA was soon used only top shelf g a Precision reverseng the tough theme tub it, add a roll-cage ith Strange 31-spline
oil-overs to the front en moved inwards to mer ride on the rear. rd from any speed is and 15x12-inch Weld ional Pro-Street look.
en ont.
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Inside, the theme switches between tough street car and restored Fairmont. The factory seats have been retained and have been retrimmed by Dave at Bad Ass Trimming. Likewise, the seat belts and dash were refurbished and slotted back into the original spots adding some authenticity to the build. In stark contrast to the stock appointments, Lorenzo added a host of AutoMeter gauges along with the full ANDRA-spec cage, cool Precision shifter and a few necessary switches for the pumps, fans and of course, the start button. Who uses a key these days? The boot didn’t escape a makeover either with the alloy fuel cell dominating much of the available space left over after the wheel tubs and cage were in place along with the fuel system and battery. Visually, the XA has come a long way from when Lorenzo found it in the Trading Post in 2003 as a two-owner, nicely-kept original Fairmont sedan. Thanks to the team at TM Smash, namely Albert, Dom and Jason, the one-time family sedan now resembles a much tougher XA GT with a new coat of PPG-mixed Ford Racing Red with the usual GT-black outs, guard flutes and bonnet scoops.
The end result is a tough street car that has a look that will never go out of fashion. It’s a perfect example of having a goal in mind and sticking to that plan. When asked if he would do anything different if he was to do the build again, Lorenzo simply stated, “I can honestly say I don’t have one bad memory of working on this car – either by myself or with mates, it was an enjoyable time with great memories made and the first drive was one of the most satisfying days of my life. As far as I am concerned, the car turned out perfect and there’s nothing I would do different!” Enough said…
Right through the build process, (whi Lorenzo rarely faulted fro
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ich took some 13-years to complete!), om that original end goal. 87
THANKS TO:
Massive tanks go to my good mates George and Stef – they both helped immensely during the build. Dom and the team at TM Smash. Jason Mansweto. Tristan Triccas. Atillio. Daryl, and anyone else who helped out!
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT
XW / XY FALCO
Without doubt the XW/XY series Falcons are the most popular ever re here in Australia and are much sought after from those wanting to b custom creation, restore a classic or do some form of racing. Built from 1969 through to 1971, the XW and XY Falcon really put Ford on the map in Australia. It was the first time the highly revered “HO Phase 2” and later “Phase 3 GTHO” edition GT Falcons were released to the public and had motorsport fans salivating. The success on the race track is now legendary, which has seen any variant of the GT Falcon from this exciting era of motoring more valuable than some houses. But it’s not just the GT-spec versions that have become much sought after. Even a basic six-pack Falcon 500 in reasonable condition will still set you back $30,000-plus! So even building a GT look-a-like 90 will take you over $100,000 to complete to a high level!
Touted as the fastest production car ever, buye
ON
eleased build a
ers couldn’t get their wallets out quick enough.
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Ford offered these two models in various forms, the popular family sedan and wagon, the workers Ute and the Panel Van aimed directly at the surfing brigade. The Falcon 500 was the base model, with the GS and Fairmont and also adding to the list available from the showroom floor. But it was the GT-spec cars that had everyone’s hearts racing. Touted as the fastest production car ever, buyers couldn’t get their wallets out quick enough. Those clever enough to realise their potential value back then, would be sitting on quite a return now… Over the years, there’s been plenty of modified XW’s and XY’s hit the modified street car scene including a pair from Owen Webb – the winged black Ute named the Bruiser, and later his blue, graphicclad Pro-Street sedan dubbed Wild Thing. Both were built to show car standards and were top of their game. One of the more famous XY GT’s was (is) Chris Christou’s electric blue GT that was crowned Burnout King at the Summernats and was used successfully as the poster car for Bridgestone Eager tyres. The GT recently returned to the Summernats and still looks as good as it did back in the day. 92
No matt meticulous XW/XY Fa
ter whether you’re into a fine crafted show car, sly finished resto or a hardcore tough streeter, the alcon will always remain an Australian favourite.
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT More recently, we’ve seen John Saad’s rammed big blocked “FAT XY” make an impression as well as other such as the one-time Summernats Grand Champion BLOWJO XY sedan, the tubbed PROSTK sedan and the candy coloured, Procharged KINGXY to name just a few. There’s been plenty of tough street and strip cars that have impressed too – and many of them seem to come from the Dandy Engines stable. One of the best known is Frank Marchese’s twin-turbo XW - a genuine low 7-second streetcar and is totally streetable as proven from its appearances at Drag Week.
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Even a basic six-pack Falcon 500 in r condition will still set you back $30
reasonable 0,000-plus!
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Some clever individuals out there have even taken the humble XW/XY body style released by Ford and created their own unique Falcons. We’ve seen stretch Limo’s (sedan and wagon), convertibles, one-tonner conversions, 4WD Ute’s, sedans and Van’s and even the odd Hearse or two! Then you have factory released customs such as the Surferoo Ute! Even when it comes to power plants, Ford offered various option – inline 6-packs and a couple of size V8’s. But even that didn’t satisfy the custom car crowd. Over the years we’ve seen lots of different engines dropped into the bays of Falcons including big blocks, 5-litre injected engines, turbo crossflow 6’s and on the rare occasion, small block Chevs.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Fast forward a It’s now not th Coyote 5-litre V KAASE Hemi-h and fitting LS-
In the world of other circuits a had with their Falcon offering cars as well as series much to
96
a bunch of years and there’s now a much larger selection of engine options to choose from. hat uncommon to see high-horsepower turbo Barra 6’s powering XW/XY’s along with the new V8, the 4.6 and 5.4-litre modular V8 from the BA-BF series Falcon and such cool engines as the headed Ford big block! And yes, those bowtie lovers are infiltrating the Blue Oval fraternity -engines between the shock towers…
f Motorsport, the XW/XY Falcon has played a huge role since day one. Its feats at Bathurst and around Australia have earned the humble Falcon legendary status. The battles the Ford drivers r Holden counterparts were hard fought, much more than they are today with the primitive g no creature comforts or drivers aids. These were the days when the drivers battled their own s the competition. Even today, the Falcon still gets used and abused in the Touring Car Master o the delight of motor racing fans of all ages with undying respect for the model’s heritage.
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No matter whether you’re into a fine crafted show car, meticulously finished resto or a hardcore tough streeter, the XW/XY Falcon will always remain an Australian favourite. Though the prices they now command putting them out of reach of many, there will always be those who will pay any amount to own a piece of Australian performance motoring history – even if it means a second mortgage on their homes…
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ROB BOSILKOVSKI - 1970 FORD CAPRI
WORDS / PICS / VIDEO - Paul Beck
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Rob Bosilkovsk but kept comin Now, at this po put the pressur
PAYS OFF!
ki had wanted his mate’s Capri for a long time ng up against the “sorry, it’s not for sale” line. oint you can either walk away and accept it, or re on and hope the owner cracks…
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Obviously, Rob won out in this battle due to persevering with his requests to take the Capri off the then owners hands. In no time at all, the Capri was in Robs garage and his name was on the rego papers! The Capri was already a tough street car – which is what gained Rob’s attention in the first place. It was clean, tidy and had a stout driveline already installed. Justifying his purchase, Rob told us that “I’d always loved the body style of the Capri and that engine bay is made for a V8!” Buying an already built car does have its advantages – especially if that car is everything you’ve been looking for in a new ride. Sure, you could save some dollars over building your own from scratch but for me, (and probably Rob too) laying down the bucks on something that is in one piece, registered and as tough as hell meant that there’s no need to rely on others for parts and/or services to happen before you get to cruise the streets. We’ve all been down that road and it can be very frustrating. Not for our man Rob though. He was behind the wheel before you could say “what’s it go like?” That was some five years ago now, and although the Capri may look very similar to the way it was when Rob jumped into the driver’s seat, there’s been many fundamental changes made to make this street and strip Capri much more suited to both uses. 102
The original power-plant that come with the Capri is long gone. In its place sits a BK Race Engines built Windsor based small block of big block proportions.
UNDER THE BONNET
Rob wanted a tough but reliable tion. After a lengthy discussion ab that ticks all the boxes. Now sport as a Dart Race block that quickly c carry. A steel Scat crank spins Eagl shaft provides a rumble that screa top the stout bottom end with a m them. Providing plenty of 98-octa Enforcer carby. After the spark ign are shown the door via a pair of Jo into an exhaust system built by go So how much power does the bi Try 700 tough but streetable poni that figure with the cars weight yo Backing the Windsor is a ATi Perf Auto’s. Internally, the box was buil through it with only the best part converter with a stall speed of 550 inch diff out the back that has bee and centre. As you can see, the ne
e aspirated engine package and had heard of Billy’s reputabout the Capri’s intended use, Billy came up with a package ting 427-cubic inches, the stretched small block started life consumed more top-shelf products than most speed shops le rods and Diamond Racing pistons while the Bullet camams “don’t mess with me”. A pair of alloy Kaase C400 heads manifold from the same company fill the gap between ane fuel into the fire is a job left up to a single 1000-cfm APD nites thanks to the MSD branded ignition system, the gases ohn Shavkulovich fabricated custom headers that unwind ood mate Rick Sofro. ig cube small block make? 500? Nope. 600? Guess again… ies on pump fuel and in aspirated form. When you combine ou get a fun factor of 17 out of 10! formance 2-speed ‘Glide built by Norm at Northmead lt to handle more power than Rob is currently running ts used inside the SFI certified ATi Super case. A Neil Chance 00rpm fronts the killer box. As you’d expect there’s a nineen severely narrowed and filled with Mark Williams axles ew and improved driveline is all business…
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COLOUR ME CRAZY
When you’re talking colours for a tough street car, a custom olive green isn’t one that instantly comes to mind. The previous owner and builder of the Capri, Mark Harvey owned Acclaim Smash Repairs and came up with this unique blend for the Capri called Harrob Green. In different light, the colour changes dramatically and the pearl in the Spies Hecker colour becomes more evident. Mark laid the custom colour down after the front and rear guards were massaged for better clearance, the engine bay smoothed out and the fibreglass reverse cowl bonnet added. The silver stripes break up the abundance of green nicely.
Wollongong is home to some tough street cars and when you get a f the rumble from all that horsepower is enough to send little kid
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LIFE ON THE INSIDE…
A pro-street car needs a purposeful interior and Rob’s Capri fits the bill perfectly. The front seats are ex-Subaru WRX Recaro items and form the bulk of the material found on the inside of the Capri. The carpet and headlining make up the remainder of the stitch work. The door trims and entire rear passenger area now sport custom tin work and lets even the least interested person who peers inside, that this Capri means business! The multi-point cage is mild steel and ANDRA approved and the custom dash facia is now host to many necessary AutoMeter dials and switches. A B&M Pro-stick shifter completes the “race ready” insides.
few of them together to cruise the streets, like Rob and his mates do, ds into hiding and old people rushing to secure their false teeth.
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STREET? STRIP? WHY NOT BOTH?
“I love being able to drive the Capri on the street and at the moment, that’s what I plan to do for a while. I have raced the car and run 9’s at Sydney Dragway but for now I am content hitting the road with my mates in their cars”, Rob explained. If (when?) Rob decides to head back for another hit on the quarter, it’s not a huge job to get it prepped for some action. In the five years that Rob has owned the Capri, it’s been a continuous build to improve the Capri in all area’s – not just in the power department. Future plans could include some fuel injection, a possible colour change and maybe some new wheels. For now though, Rob is very happy with how the Capri has progressed.
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So how much power does the big cube small block make? 500? Nope. 600? Guess again… Try 700 tough but streetable ponies on pump fuel and in aspirated form. When you combine that figure with the cars weight you get a fun factor of 17 out of 10! THANKS TO: Rick Sofro for building the exhaust system; Bill from BK Engines for building the tough small block Ford engine; Wayne for mini-tubbing the rear end and interior tin work; Alec Krkovski for his help; Big Leo from BL Automotive for his help and advice on what Drag Racing was all about; John Shavkulovich for fabricating the headers; my Father for his great support along the way; Victor from Extreme Car Electrics for the awesome wiring job, Simon from MV Eckersley Radiators; Norm from Northmead Auto’s for building the tough gearbox and to all my friends for helping me along the build – you know who you are…
RAISING
HELL
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PETER NUSSER - 1967 XR FALCON UTE WORDS / PICS – Paul Beck
S F g s
Saved from demise in the local junkyard, this XR Falcon Ute was only meant to be a workshop parts getter. However, the little devil on Peter Nusser’s shoulder kept telling him otherwise...
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When Peter spotted the Ute, it was relishing at the back on the local wrecking yard and wo have probably ended up being crushed. Having been bought up in a family where old Falc were the car of choice, Peter just couldn’t let the old Ute die that way, so a deal was struck with boys at MJR Auto Wreckers in Albury and the well-used Ute was dragged back to Peter’s place what was going to be a quick make-over.
At that stage, Peter had opened up his own workshop and thought the six-pack, three-on-themanual Ute would be the ideal run around for the business. Those plans were quickly thrown the window however when Peter’s nasty side decided the Ute needed more cubes, some fo induction and more rubber under the rear to deal with it all. Unbenowns to Peter at the time, he had just embarked on a massive 6-year build.
After spending way too much time in the wrecking yard exposed to all kinds of weather, body had seen better days. Upon removing the old paint (or what was left of it) the body sho what years of neglect will do to sheet metal. It was repairable, but was going to take some t to have it ready for paint. Lots of hours were spent on every panel removing dents, ripples rust accumulated over the years. Peter wanted to keep the Falcon’s body lines just as old He specified back in 1967, so the only changes made was the removal and smoothing off of the sp wheel compartment, the removal of the badges and mouldings and the squaring up of the wheel tubs to accomodate the larger rubber that Peter had planned. Oh, and there’s now a ch bonnet steel missing for obvious reasons. 110
When the time was right and the body was in primer, Peter knew exactly what colour the Ute going to be. His very first car, an XY Falcon was Ultra White with black trim. In memory of that the Ute was to get the same colour combo. With the paint dry and the body fitted up with all o chrome and jewellery, the once-tired old Falcon was starting to look pristine yet again.
ould con’s h the e for
-tree n out orced e, but
, the owed time and enry pare rear hunk
e was t car, of its
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For the most part, the interior was still intact when the Ute was dragged away from its resting place. As previously mentioned, the all-black theme was already chosen for the interior space The repadded XR low back buckets and door trims were covered in vinyl with black carpe added underfoot. The factory steering wheel was tidied up and kept in place for that factory feel.
Its not all stock looking though. The shifter was taken from the column a long time before the trim was attended to, and now see’s gear selections done via a B&M shifter mounted to the tunnel. Also not resembling anything like the factory appointed unit is the dash which now houses a trio of AutoMeter dials with shift light in the facia and several more mounted unde the Ultra white colour dash. Sabelt harness belts keep Peter and his passenger securely in place
Any thoughts of putting a lowly six-pack back into the Falcon are now just distant memories Peter had ace engine man Ian Read, build him a blown 363ci Windsor small block that make enough power to turn those bigger tyres into molten rubber with ease. Kicking off with a Dart Block and filling it with a Scat crank and rod combo, Probe pistons and a Camtech cam Ian peiced together a stout bottom end that lays the foundation for one-tough Windsor. The World Products heads were given the once-over and bolted into place for the Dyers blowe manifold to join the party.
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g e. et y
e e w er e.
s. es a m, e er
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Its obviously the crowning glory on this tough 363-cuber is the polished Dyers 6/71 supercharger that gets the E85 fuel pumped through it from a pair of 750 double pumper Holley carbs. These three components are the main reason this pumped small block made over 500hp at the sizeable treads. The only downfall (if you can call it that) is that the height at which the engine protrudes through the Falcon’s bonnet limits the amount of street use Peter can get out of the Ute. Some Police just have no sense of humour at all‌ Currently a C9 trans with TCI -internals and a 3500rpm converter from the same company, backs the blown Windsor. That could change soon though as Peter is looking into a swap for a two-speed Powerglide trans in the near future. Until that happens though, Peter is confident the Ford trans will handle the power delivery back to the nine-inch diff with ease. The tough rear-end plays host to a Strange centre and 35-spline axles. Ten-inch wide Weld wheels hang off the diff and match the 3.5-inch versions mounted to the front end.
All that power is useless if you can’t pull the old girl up after some spirited driving. To help the Falcon slow to a stop, Peter installed XF Falcon discs and callipers to the XR’s front end and adapted AU Falcon discs on the rear end. Lowered custom springs were added to bring the XR’s nose down to a more suitable height with the rear coming down as well thanks to the Gazzard Bros’ springs which have been moved inwards for tyre clearance. Peter is planning a switch to a four-link set-up in the very near future as well. Peter reckons the six-year build time felt a lot longer than it actually was, but at the end of the day, it was a project that happened when time and funds allowed and now that its completed, Peter plans to enjoy his creation as much as he can. The future includes some car shows and a little drag racing. “I love getting to car shows and the drags with my mates and love cruising the car with my son. He absolutely loves the Ute,” Peter explained. Looks like the next generation of Nusser men have already got the car bug. The Falcon, it would seem, will remain a family heirloom…
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It’s obviously the crowning glory on this tough 363-cuber is the po the E85 fuel pumped through it from a pair of 750 double pump are the main reason this pumped small block made ove
olished Dyers 6/71 supercharger that gets per Holley carbs. These three components er 500hp at the sizeable treads.
OWNER: Peter Nusser VEHICLE: 1967 XR Falcon Ute ENGINE: 363ci Windsor, Dart block, Scat crank, Scat rods, Probe pistons, Camtech cam, MSD ignition, World 115 Products heads, Dyers 6/71 Supercharger, dual 750dp Holley carbs, E85 fuel, custom exhaust with Hooker mufflers. POWER: Over 500hp at the tyres. TRANS: C9 auto, TCI internals, TCI 3500rpm converter, B&M Pro-Sick shifter. DIFF: 9-inch, Strange centre, 35-spline axles. WHEELS: 15x3.5” and 15x10” Weld Magnum SUSPENSION: Front: Custom lowered springs, Calvert shocks, rubber bushes. Rear: Gazzard Bros leaf springs, Calvert shocks, split mono-track bar slipper shackles. BRAKES: Front: XF Falcon disc and calipers Rear: AU Falcon disc and calipers. COLOUR: Ultra White THANKS TO: All the boys at Azzi and Nusser, Ian Read, MJR Auto Wreckers.
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