MATT DAVIES HX KINGSWOOD

“HERE is the ‘Rusty Trombone’, a ’78 Kingswood wagon that sat unloved in a paddock for nearly 30 years. It was dragged into the shed and had its dead 202 replaced by a little 253 and Trimatic with a 2500rpm converter. The paint, which had been sunburnt to a crisp, was scuffed back and covered in two-pack satin clear. Tony from Hardwood Rod & Custom at Landsborough did the majority of the work. It’s just a cool old reliable everyday driver.”

“HERE are some photos of an EK wagon I’ve just built for my boss, Rod Leech. It was a complete nut-and-bolt build on the rotisserie. It now runs a 202 and Trimatic, HR discbrake front end with power rack-and-pinion, Astra electric power steering pump (mounted under the driver’s-side front guard with the brake booster), and air con using an electric compressor (mounted under the passenger-side front guard). The interior is all-new and includes Dakota Digital gauges, central locking and a hidden Bluetooth stereo system. The theme of the build was to look all original but have all the mod cons hidden from view. Build time was 12 months from start to finish.” Words: Paul Little