While waiting for his house plans to clear council, Chris Campbell from Heathcote built a spectacular Street Machine to keep himself busy.
So spectacular in fact that the 1972 Holden LJ Torana has been named as a finalist in the prestigious 'Street Machine of the Year' competition.
The coveted award, which has been running for three decades, is now up for grabs with 16 elite finalists announced by leading publication Street Machine.
Chris said when the unfinished LJ project popped up during the house plan process it was the perfect remedy for his new found desire to start tinkering with cars once again.
"It had been off the road, sitting in a shed for 20 years and hadn't been touched in at least 10 years," Chris told Street Machine.
All up, the car build took two years, and Chris is adamant that having good people around him made everything run quite smoothly.
"Hats off to everyone who helped; it was an awesome feeling when the covers came off. I got lots of positive feedback, and everyone who looked at it was stoked," Chris told Street Machine.
"My wife Prue, daughter Tyla and son Jyle are revheads at heart," Chris continues.
"I think they love the car more than I do. We take it out at least once a week for a run and a bit of fun. But as good as it is and as nice as it's turned out, I'd be keen to sell.
"Originally, I was tossing up between a Torana and a hot rod, and as much as I love the Torana, I really want to do a hot rod.
"Besides, now that I've got such a great team around me, the next build will be much easier!"
Street Machine editor Simon Telford said Chris was part of a distinct and sizeable tribe living across Australia, consumed by a collective obsession that can often take up years of their lives.
"They can be found labouring away in sheds at all hours," Telford said.
"The peak achievement in their world is Street Machine of the Year."
Voting is now open to the public to find the winner from a stellar field of custom classic finalists.
"It used to be that we had a panel of experts delivering the finalists to the masses, but now it's the Aussie public that gets to decide who's in and who wins," Telford said.
"It's great to see democracy at work for an award that means so much to so many."
The winner will be announced in two months after voting closes.
Full details and voting appear in the latest issue of Street Machine.
CHRIS CAMPBELL: 1972 HOLDEN LJ TORANA *
Colour: PPG Brake Light Red
ENGINE
Brand: Holden 355ci
Inlet manifold: Bain Racing
Carbies: Twin 650 APD billet
Heads: Ported VN cast-iron
Camshaft: Solid-roller
Crank: Harrop
Sump: Deep-baffled
Oil pump: Hercules Hemi conversion
Fuel system: DeatschWerks submersible
Cooling: South Coast Radiators, twin Spal fans
Exhaust: Custom headers and MagnaFlow 3in system
Ignition: ICE
TRANSMISSION
Gearbox: Protrans Trimatic
Converter: Dominator 3500
Diff: Sheet-metal 9in, MW axles, Eaton Truetrac centre, 3.55:1 gears
Tailshaft: Aluminium
SUSPENSION & BRAKES
Front: Standard, Pedders shocks
Rear: Four-link, Strange coil-overs
Brakes: Four-piston Wilwood (f & r), Cruisin Automotive electric master cylinder
WHEELS & TYRES
Rims: Weld; 17x3.5 (f), 15x10 (r)
Rubber: M/T Sportsman S/R; 26x6.00R17LT (f), 28x10.00R15LT (r)
THANKS
Exclusive Customs; Elite Custom Interiors; South Coast Radiators; Crusin Automotive; good mate Peter Lovering for his ongoing help throughout the build; my wife Prue and kids Tyla and Jyle
* Information courtesy Street Machine
