IN THE BUILD

Bradley Welch recently had his in-the-works ’82 WB ute out on show for the first time. The concept for the project was a race car set loose on the streets and, thanks to the expertly applied fauxpatina livery by Kurt Goodin Artworks, it certainly looks like someone has simply found it in a barn after all these years and got it running.

The livery is based on the ’78 Bathurst-winning Torana of Peter Brock and Jim Richards, although modified slightly to suit the ute body lines. This is far beyond a simple paint rub-through job, over 60 hours have gone into it, which has to be seen in person to be believed. Bradley handled most of the fabrication himself, bar the roll cage, and, once the ute’s up and running, the plan is to hit hill climbs, street sprints, and track days — although it will remain 100 per cent a street car.

The engine is an iron block 5.3 (323ci) LS that has been built for boost. A GT42/94r sits on a custom manifold. Backing the LS is a T56 Tremec with heavy-duty clutch, followed by a Ford nine-inch with LSD. Completing the look is a set of 18x10s.