Meet John and his dream build - a stunning custom ute that represents his lifelong passion for cars. After owning a Belmont in his younger days that looked great but lacked power, John promised himself he'd one day build the car he always wanted. For his 50th birthday, he made that dream a reality.
Starting with two donor utes, John undertook a ground-up restoration that took 7 years, working through the Covid period. The result is a mean machine featuring a 383 engine, mini tubs, tunnel rams, and a stunning black paint job. This isn't just a showpiece - it's been driven nearly 14,000 kilometers in two years.
John credits his mates for helping bring this project together, including James and Jimmy's Garage for the motor build, and Johnny Statesman for assembly help. This ute perfectly captures the 90s tough car aesthetic John was after, proving that sometimes the best builds are the ones that take time and bring people together.
