ADRIAN PORTARO
> ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
THIS issue we wrap up our four-part look into South Australia’s street machine scene via the photo collection of Adelaide hot-car historian, Adrian Portaro. It’s been both a pleasure and a challenge to jam nearly four decades of SA’S best into a mere 30 choices, but one element has been consistent among all the rides Adrian has documented: timeless quality. For this final instalment, we threw it open to Adrian to share nine of his faves, chosen for no other reason than having left an indelible mark on his car journey.
01: SEV Scarponi from The Muscle Car Shop has owned the PRO32 three-window Ford coupe since the early 90s, and it is one tough hot rod. It has had more stout engine combos than you could poke a stick at, and is currently running a 555-cube big-block Chev with a Blower Shop injected 8/71. It previously ran a 10-flat with the old naturally aspirated 468ci version way back when.
02: ADRIAN reckons Peter Kiritsis is the coolest real estate agent he knows, and Peter’s tough, pro street 1968 Camaro probably has something to with that. “It’s a knockout car and pretty dareto-be-different for a Camaro on the local scene, [as it’s neither] painted black nor running Center Lines,” Adrian says. “Peter’s ’68 runs a tough 572cube big-block, and the custom-blend Botanica Mica turquoise paint is set off by fat and skinny 12- and six-inch Weld wheels.”
03: THIS genuine Mustang GT coupe is owned by Robbie Femia, who purchased it from the States in the early 90s. He initially restored the original Springtime Yellow ’65, before deciding to step it up in 2015 with a total rebuild, including mini-tubs by the late Frank Zagari of Zagari Engineering to house a pair of 15x10 Auto Drags. “They are the perfect-size wheel for any muscle car,” Adrian says. “It’s powered by a 440-cube Windsor, which is good for over 600hp, and is backed by a C4 transmission. When I get my Mustang back one day, I hope it’s looking as tough as this bad pony.”
04: ANTHONY De Gioia owns this beautiful Sebring Orange HT Monaro. “I went to school with Anthony and can proudly say that I corrupted him into becoming the street machiner he is today,” Adrian laughs. “Anthony has certainly come a long way from his first hottie, when he painted his mum’s XC Falcon black and added a set of Bob Gliddens to it. The Monaro was running a tough 427ci big-block, but he had a few issues with that combo over the years, so he has now almost completed an LSA swap and will be hopefully heading to Summernats this year to fry some tyres.”
05: NICK Thess’s original 1971 VH R/T Charger was a weapon of a streeter back in the early 90s, running 10.9@125mph with a stonking smallblock. It was built by Nick himself at Thess Race Engines. “The rear was tubbed by ‘Mr Pro Street’, Pep Manunta, to house the 15x10 Center Lines,” Adrian explains. “Nick still owns the Charger and is currently taking his time in reverting it back to Hemi 265 six-cylinder power.”
06: SLEEPERS don’t come much cooler than this Tuxedo Black 1968 Camaro RS/SS. It may look like a beautifully restored original 396/fourspeed car, but its owner, Maurice, has beefed up the running gear by way of a lazy 700-horse 540-cuber backed by a Tremec T56 Magnum six-speed. “Those skinny rear meats don’t stand a chance, so the big question is whether to tub or not to tub,” Adrian laughs. “I think it is far too good a car to chop up, so maybe Maurice will have to keep his 15x12 Auto Drags in storage for something else.”
07: KERRI Aristides is the lucky owner of this wicked pro street HQ Monaro known as RHQ510. “It’s a fully engineered streeter that has clocked up more road miles than most, and is always out and about looking tough,” Adrian says. “The silver paint with orange stripes running on old-school Weld Draglites is timeless, and with a 510-cube big-block and steamroller rear tyres, you’re kicking pro street goals. Kerri works as a mechanic with his dad Nick at Nick’s Mechanical Repairs, and can be seen regularly cruising in a number of tough streeters they have built.”
08: CAN you beat a black-over-white-trim XA GT hardtop? “Add a set of Adelaide’s own fat and skinny Center Line Auto Drags and you’ve sealed the deal,” Adrian says. “We are definitely the capital for Center Lines – followed really only by Geelong – but this XA is an immaculate car that looks as tough as nails. Even if you’re not a Ford fan, you have to agree that this thing is top notch, and what a combo! It’s no slouch either, having run some decent mid-10-second passes in its time. Sadly, the original owner, Frank Zagari, was taken by cancer a couple years ago, so the XA is now cruised around by his brother.”
09: THIS silver HQ GTS was originally built by Bruno Grimaldi, but now resides with Steve Harvey in Whyalla. And talk about awesome stance – this sedan has HQ ride height nailed perfectly and looks spot-on whether in its GTS or Auto Drag-wheeled guise. Powered by a 383 small-block Chev backed by a Turbo 400 and nine-inch combo, the HQ has plenty of stick while also being a great cruiser and real head-turner.