Ben Judd’s dad wanted to send his mum’s rusty old car to the wreckers.
But, after an epic 12-year restoration program, Judd and his brothers have won the country’s most coveted auto makeover award.
Mechanic Ben, from Kirrawee, along with siblings Nik and Simon, won the 2018 Street Machine of the Year for their work on a stunning 1964 EH Holden wagon.
Ben’s mother bought the car in the late 1970s. It became Judd's first car well over a decade ago. And it’s fair to say things have progressed dramatically since.
Judd helped save the car from the scrappers after the vehicle had been rusting away down the side of the house.
It was his dad who let him take it to work and fix it up.
And what a result.
Ben said full credit should also go to his brothers whose contributions were invaluable, with Nik taking on the panel work while Simon took charge of the interiors.
“It was great to do this with them and it’s as much their car as it is mine,” he said.
Street Machine editor Simon Telford surprised the Judd’s with the award and said their victory represented a new benchmark in the highly-competitive world of custom car workmanship.
“It’s hard to explain the obsessive and passionate nature of this world to many people but the fact that Ben and his brothers have spent more than a decade creating this from mum’s rusty old transporter might start to give you an inkling,” he said.
“But then again, maybe not. It’s quite an extraordinary commitment and achievement.
“And, for the first time, the public identified our 16 finalists from the stellar contenders featured in the magazine throughout the year, before also crowning the winner. Democracy certainly delivered, and Bravo Ben!”
With stunning paint, slick panelwork, a slammed stance and monstrous wheels, Judd’s Pro EH has a mix of styles on show with an old-school 202 six under the bonnet that boasts a Phil Irving 12-port head.
The award has been running for three decades and is the ultimate labour of love for car enthusiasts.
And for the Judd’s, it was brotherly love that helped secure them the title.
BEN JUDD: 1964 EH HOLDEN STATION WAGON
Colour: PPG Electric Blue/Mineral White
ENGINE
Engine: 202 Holden
Head: Phil Irving 12-port
Intake: Phil Irving triple Webers
Carbies: Weber 50mm
Cam: Crane solid-roller, 612thou lift, 264/255
Lifters: Crane
Pushrods: Crow Cams
Springs: PAC with titanium retainers
Crank: Stock Holden 202
Rods: Yella Terra H-beam
Pistons: SRP Forged
Rings/bearings: Moly/ACL Race Series
Sump: Haddad Race Engines
Ignition: VH electronic; MSD coil & leads
Oil pump: JP Performance
Radiator: Shaun’s Custom Alloy, thermo fan
Headers: Custom extractors
Exhaust: 3in with HiTech Muffler
Preferred fuel: 98 PULP
Power: 325hp@6200rpm at the crank
UNDERNEATH
Gearbox: Trimatic, manual shift
Converter: Dominator 4500rpm stall
Diff: VL Turbo, 28-spline, 3.89:1
STOP & GO
Front suspension: HR front end, King 3in-lowered springs, Koni adjustable shocks
Rear suspension: 5in reset leaf springs, Koni adjustable shocks
Steering: Rear-mounted Commodore rack
Brakes: HSV/Harrop; four-piston calipers and 343mm rotors (f), four-piston calipers and 315mm rotors (r)
Master cylinder: Wilwood; Wilwood pedal box
FANCY EXTRAS
Trim: Lamborghini Nappa leather
Seats: Custom bench
Carpet: Porsche, Pearl Grey
Wheel: EH with FC horn button
Seatbelts: Retractable lap belts
Shifter: B&M Hard Core Bandit
Gauges: Auto Meter Prestige Antique Ivory
Tunes: Hidden Bluetooth system operated via phone app
Speakers/amp: Vibe 5.25in/Vibe 2-channel
Soundproofing: Dynamat
ROLLING STOCK
Rims: Intro Saltster; 19x7 (f), 20x12 (r)
Rubber: Nitto; 225/35R19 (f), 345/25R20 (r)
Build time: 12 years
