TARANTO RETURNS

VICTORIAN Michael Taranto has long been involved in the street machine and pro street scenes. His black pro street Customline is one smooth bit of gear, powered by a 408-cube, Chi-headed Cleveland that pushes out 650hp before the switch is flicked on the twin nitrous system.

Family and work has sidelined him from racing action for the past few years, but that is about to change with the acquisition of this cool 2003 pro street Mustang, built in Melbourne in 2004 by Bob Maslen Race Cars.

The car has been pretty much sitting in a corner for the past 10 years, owned by Zoran at Competition Engines, who had visions of a twin-turbo big-block Ford that never eventuated for one reason or another. The Muzzy has only ever made two passes, so it’s pretty much in as-new condition, and Michael and his family are hoping to hit the track in early 2018, initially with an 800hp naturally aspirated Cleveland.

“I’ve had my eye on the car for a long time,” Michael says. “Paul Sant from Proflo Performance in Sydney is currently building me a big-cube Clevo with Yankee heads, sheet-metal intake and twin carbs that will make around 800hp. We’d like to do a season or two with this deal before piecing together a 654ci all-alloy combo in a year or two.

“Right now we are concentrating on getting the car up and running,” he continues. “We’re not sure what it will run, but I have it booked in with the original builder – Bob Maslen Race Cars – to get pipes, engine plates and all that kind of stuff sorted that we’ll need to compete in the car.”