Custom Vehicle Projects Roundup

A 1958 Holden FC, a 1964 Ford XM Falcon, and a 1934 Ford coupe ute—three distinct visions, three unique builds.

1958 Holden FC "Miss Lead"

Owner Andrew Clatworthy modified his 1958 Holden FC custom car, named "Miss Lead." The vehicle was repainted PPG Cyan Blue, replacing a previous green-gold color. Ghost flames were applied by Darryl McKenzie. A pin-up girl airbrush artwork, also titled "Miss Lead," was added to the spare tire cover.

Mechanical specifications include a Holden 202ci six-cylinder engine converted to run on LPG, a Trimatic transmission, and an HR Holden rear axle. Interior modifications included V2 Monaro scuff plates and VY Commodore door handles. The car was featured in Street Machine magazine and competed in SMOTY 2002.

1964 Ford XM Falcon "Gracie"

Paul Agius customized a 1964 Ford XM Falcon, named "Gracie." The vehicle was acquired as an unfinished project with Wimbledon White paint and a 347ci Ford Windsor V8 engine producing 570 hp.

Modifications include a manualised C4 transmission, a shortened nine-inch rear axle with 3.9:1 gears and Truetrac differential, custom four-link rear suspension with Viking coil-overs, and Weld V-Series wheels (17x4 front, 15x9 rear). The interior was refurbished with burgundy upholstery. The work was supported by Charlie Azzopardi, Simon Pace, and Paul's son Joel.

Paul Agius has stated an intention to restore his late father's ZK Fairlane as a next project.

1934 Ford Coupe Ute

This vehicle was detailed in Street Machine’s Hot Rod magazine #1, published in 2004.

Acquisition and Design

Clinton Hornes acquired the 1934 Australian coupe ute body shell at a Melbourne swap meet. At the time of purchase, the roof had been modified with a two-inch chop, and its original wooden body framing had been replaced with steel. Hornes initially intended to build the vehicle for drag racing, but later discontinued this objective due to complexities of adapting the vehicle for both racing and road use. Early modifications included tubbing the chassis for wider tires.

Chassis and Suspension

The vehicle is built on original 1934 chassis rails modified by a three-inch tub and a three-inch step at the rear. Custom crossmembers were fabricated by Hornes. The rear suspension uses a custom four-bar setup, a Falcon Watts link positioned on the front of a nine-inch differential, Firestone airbags, and Monroe gas shocks. The front suspension incorporates a modified and sectioned HR Holden cross-member, custom stainless wishbones, Firestone airbags, and stainless shocks.

Exterior

Exterior body work, performed by Laurie Gray, included filling the turret to complete the roof chop. Gray also fabricated stainless bed liners, designed to expose the tubs, and a hard tonneau cover. The rear pan was smoothed and features an inset license plate. The tail-lamps and turn signals are sourced from a 1959 Cadillac. The vehicle is painted in Ford Surfer Orange—a color selected by Hornes after observing its use on a 1970 Ford XW concept ute, the Surferoo.

Interior

Pat Mesiti of Sunshine Motor Trimming performed the interior finishing. The interior features pearl white vinyl upholstery in a tuck-and-roll style, accented with orange piping. The headliner is perforated white material; the carpets are black. The bench seat was constructed by Hornes prior to trimming. The dashboard was filled and fitted with period-appropriate Stewart Warner Wings-series gauges and matching dials for the airbag system. A modern Stewart Warner tachometer is mounted to the right of the steering column. An XR Falcon dished steering wheel, modified with a chrome bullet in its center, is installed. A floor-mounted Hurst Indy shifter is fitted. Steering components include an XW Falcon GT steering box connected to an HR drag link and an XW Falcon GT column. The audio system comprises a JVC MP3 player, two Fusion amplifiers, a 12-inch Fusion dual-voice coil subwoofer, and two Fusion 6x9 speakers, installed discreetly.

Powertrain and Drivetrain

The vehicle is powered by a rebuilt 302 Windsor engine, with its block painted Surfer Orange. External components include chromed and finned rocker covers, an air cleaner, and polished accessories. Internally, the engine uses a standard 302 Windsor crankshaft, 289 Windsor rods with ARP bolts, and TRW forged pistons, all balanced. The engine utilizes original XW 302 heads, ported and polished, with Manley stainless steel 351 Windsor valves and 1.65:1 Crane roller rockers. A high-lift custom-grind camshaft, designed by John Knight, operates the valve train. Fuel delivery is via a 750 double-pumper Holley carburetor on an Edelbrock Victor Junior manifold. Ignition is provided by a Mallory Comp 9000 distributor and Eagle nine-millimeter spark plug leads. Exhaust is routed through custom headers, adapted from a 1934 four-door Ford, into a dual two-inch exhaust system fabricated by Hornes.

A four-speed top loader transmission is coupled with the engine. Power is transmitted via a Yella Terra steel flywheel and a dual-friction clutch. A shortened XW tailshaft delivers power to a shortened limited-slip nine-inch differential equipped with 4.11 gears.

Braking System

The braking system incorporates P76 ventilated discs with HQ Holden calipers at the front and Ford drums at the rear. An XB Falcon power booster and master cylinder combination apply pressure through a modified 1934 Ford pedal assembly.

Operational History

The vehicle was completed for the Valla Rod Run in Coffs Harbour, NSW, in September 2003. Since completion, it has accumulated 10,000 kilometers while attending various rod runs across Victoria.