IT TAKES all types to populate Street Machine Drag Challenge, from big block-powered, leaf-sprung drag missiles to boosted late-model sedans and chrome bumper oddities. And if you're Mopar fanatic Phillip Hortis, you turn up in a gorgeous Hemi six-powered VG Valiant. Not only was Phil's Val the only Mopar to participate in Drag Challenge Weekend 2022, but it did so with near-unmatched style.
Phil has been chipping away at a '68 Dodge Charger since 2006, but the Mount Waverley Mopar nut couldn't say no to this VG when it popped up for sale in 2018. "The Charger has been a nightmare, as it's totally custom and requires a lot of work," Phil explains. With numerous setbacks and completion timeframes stretching out by the month, he set his eyes on finding a car he could enjoy in the meantime. "I found a relatively clean VG in Mount Martha owned by a teenage girl whose father had passed it down to her," Phil says. "She wanted a more modern car with all the bells and whistles, and I wanted a VG, so the timing worked out well and I purchased the Val."
The sedan was cruised as a stocker for a few months, before the performance bug got to Phil once again. "I couldn't ignore the potential of the car anymore," he laughs. "I put the Dodge on hold for 18 months while Luke [Kinsmore, of Luke's Custom Fabrications] and Peter Haravitsidis got to work on the VG. They smashed out quality work in record time, and a year-and-a-half later, I was enjoying the overhauled VG on the Melbourne streets."
This rapid turnaround was helped along by the VG being in good shape to start with. "It was very original and in great condition for its age, with minimal rust," Phil says. "We pulled it completely down, blasted it, and did a complete nut-and-bolt restoration."
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 2022-Ausgabe von Street Machine Australia.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der September 2022-Ausgabe von Street Machine Australia.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
ARBY’S EFFORTS TO IMPROVE HIS VG VALIANT’S 60-FOOT TIMES YIELD PROMISING RESULTS IN THE RUN-UP TO STREET MACHINE DRAG CHALLENGE
ANIKA HODGES
THE CAR DROVE INTO OUR SHED AS A CREAM 202CI VC AND DROVE OUT AS A SILVER CAR WITH A 355 V8
STAGE FRIGHT
IT TOOK OWEN SCOTT MORE THAN 20 YEARS TO BUILD A TROPHY-WINING, 600HP EH HOLDEN UTE THAT WILL STAND THE TEST OF TIME
THE Ummmal SUSPECT
FORGET WHAT YOU THINK YOU KNOW ABOUT MINI-TRUCKS. THIS SUMMERNATS TOP 60 HILUX IS A PROPER STREET MACHINE
FULLY UTILISED
HARDWOOD ROD & CUSTOM TURNS DARREN ISON'S HAND-ME-DOWN HT INTO A SMOOTH OPERATOR
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED
ARBY’S EFFORTS TO IMPROVE HIS VG VALIANT’S 60-FOOT TIMES YIELD PROMISING RESULTS IN THE RUN-UP TO STREET MACHINE DRAG CHALLENGE
PEOPLE POWER
WE TAKE A LOOK BACK AT 36 YEARS OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS - AND MOST DEMOCRATICALLY AWARDED - HONOUR IN OUR SPORT: STREET MACHINE OF THE YEAR
OUT-AND-OUT MAYHEM
STREET MACHINE DRAG CHALLENGE IS ALREADY A ROLLICKING GOOD TIME, BUT WHAT CAR EVENT CAN'T BE MADE EVEN BETTER BY ADDING A BURNOUT COMP? INTRODUCING OUR INAUGURAL RODS OUT!
BAD TO THE BONE
THANKS TO HIS SON, ANDY, THE LATE MARIO COLALILLO’S 39 PLYMOUTH COUPE IS BACK ON THE ROAD AND STILL ONE OF THE BADDEST HOT RODS IN THE COUNTRY
THE CHALLENGE IS REAL
FROM TRACK DRAMAS TO SOARING TEMPERATURES, DRAG CHALLENGE 2024 THREW US SOME OF ITS TOUGHEST TESTS YET, BUT IT ALSO BROUGHT SOME OF THE QUICKEST TIMES THE EVENT HAS EVER SEEN
