MotorEx 2026: A Landmark Build for the Aussie Off-Road Scene
"The build aimed to push the limits of what is legally possible in Australia and to showcase that to the industry."
— Robi Fekete
The Laurie Starling Engineering Excellence award at MotorEx 2026 was presented to Robi Fekete and the Fekete Fabrications 1970 Ford F100 pre-runner. Claimed to be the first of its kind in Australia, the truck made its public debut in completed form at the Shannons Unveil event.
Vehicle Specifications
The build is a masterclass in balancing extreme performance with road legality. Key specifications include:
- Model: 1970 Ford F100
- Chassis: Fekete Fabrications custom-built, compliant with new Victorian chassis replacement rules
- Suspension: Fox Racing off-road suspension, engineered for 40-inch tires
- Engine: Ford Coyote V8, fully forged and dry-sumped, with an Edelbrock supercharger
- Engine Management: Haltech Nexus R5
- Transmission: Tremec T56 Magnum
- Rear Axle: Fekete custom-fabricated nine-inch
- Drive: Rear-wheel drive
- Registration: Fully compiled, engineered, and registered in Victoria, Australia
A Victory for Rule-Following Innovation
Understanding the regulations was key to this build. New chassis replacement rules in Victoria allowed the vehicle to retain its 1970 identity rather than being classified as an Individually Constructed Vehicle. This legal framework was central to the project's success, allowing Fekete to push boundaries without sacrificing the truck’s original heritage.
Bonus Unveil: 1955 Chevy Apache
Fekete also unveiled a customer’s 1955 Chevy 3100 Apache truck, fully compiled, engineered, and registered in Victoria. This build features a unibody conversion, a supercharged LSA engine (with the blower removed and twin turbos added), and a bespoke Fekete Fabrications chassis.