Bonnet Drama

Whatever she turns her talents to, Melbourne mum, businesswoman and classic-car enthusiast Maz Romandini takes a hands-on approach, writes motoring expert and WhichCar presenter, Elise Elliott

- Elise Elliott

Maz Romandini (pictured) is a rev-head who always aspired to own her own V8 muscle car. While many girls were scribbling boys’ names on their books, Maz was drawing Ford Falcon GT emblems to represent her own object of desire. Now, the Melbourne mother of three spends most of her time under the bonnet of her beloved 1966 Ford V8 Mustang Coupe. What’s more, she also owns the ’stang’s little sister: a 2016 Ford Mustang Fastback GT in a matching red.

Female drivers of muscle cars are often seen as an anomaly – Maz says she has lost count of the times people have asked “Is that your husband’s car?”. In response, she set up a Facebook group for women who own and work on their own cars, and who champion other women within the car community.

Maz shares a home with her cabinetmaker husband Adrian, their children, and the family’s Staffordshire bull terrier, Cira. Their property, bought 20 years ago, had one major selling point: a five-car garage.

When not tinkering with her cars, Maz can often be found in the kitchen, which is very much the hub of this home. Thoughtful cabinetry is an essential part of the space, she says. Frequently used items are in easy-to-reach drawers underneath crisp white Caesarstone benchtops. Thanks to Blum hardware, many of the cupboards are self-opening – no greasy fingerprints on handles here! Storage is incorporated into almost every space: in the kitchen island, under the stairwell, around the main bedroom suite, in the laundry. “I’m sure we still have empty cupboards somewhere!” says Maz, laughing.