On today’s feature episode of Aussie Garage, we dive into a truly special story – one that spans generations, passions, and horsepower. We head west to Perth to visit Carlo, a dedicated car enthusiast whose love for machines runs as deep as family ties. What we uncover is a vault of automotive treasures – each with a tale, each part of Carlo’s journey.
From Father to Son: The EH Holden Legacy
Carlo’s love of cars kicked off early, heavily influenced by his father’s EH Holden. Naturally, when it came time for his first car, he followed in his dad’s footsteps and bought an EH of his own. Over the years, Carlo also owned a beautiful ’55 Chev – the kind of ride that stays in your memory forever.
Like many, life’s responsibilities called, and Carlo made the tough choice to part ways with his beloved vehicles to build a family home. Two decades rolled by, but the passion never faded. The itch returned, and Carlo was finally ready to get back into the garage.
First, he tracked down another ’55 Chev like the one from his youth and undertook a full rebuild – a machine with some incredible custom touches that we’ll reveal in an upcoming episode. But it didn’t stop there. Carlo wasn’t just rebuilding his collection – he was building a legacy.
He and his son set out to find an EH Holden for the next generation. They located a solid base and began a complete, hands-on restoration. Over the course of a year, the EH was transformed into a stunning custom ride, finished in a unique gold paint and sitting on classic B45 Simmons wheels. The interior was upgraded with modern seats and matching trim, and under the bonnet sits a trusty 202 straight-six mated to a Celica 5-speed transmission and Commodore diff.
This EH wasn’t just a showpiece – Carlo’s son drove it every day, cared for it, and took pride in what they built together. Now, nearly three decades on from its rebuild, the car has come out of a 10-year hibernation, and it’s back on the road. With Carlo’s grandson now in the picture, it’s easy to see how this EH tradition will continue. Good on ya, Carlo – this is what Aussie car culture is all about.
Enter the Beast: The 1956 Chev Pickup
As if the EH story wasn’t enough, Carlo’s garage has another showstopper – his 1956 Chev pickup. This thing is wild.
Under the hood is a blown 383ci Chev stroker, sporting a 6/71 supercharger and twin 4-barrel carbies. Backing it is a Turbo 400 gearbox and a Jaguar rear end, with a custom front end to modernise the handling. In Carlo’s words, “It drives like a modern car” – no small feat for a 1950s pickup.
It’s massively tubbed to fit a set of 11-inch wide wheels, giving it an aggressive, no-nonsense stance. The paint? Well, it’s a mystery – the truck was imported from the U.S. as-is, but it wears a deep, rich red with a bold flip that gleams in the sun. It’s got character, and a whole lot of grunt.
What’s Next?
This is just the beginning of Carlo’s story. In the next episode, we’ll take a deeper look at his fully rebuilt ’55 Chev and the ultimate car lover’s haven – his mancave. Trust us, you won’t want to miss it.
Until then, hats off to Carlo – for keeping the spirit of Aussie motoring alive and inspiring the next generation with heart, horsepower, and history.
Stay tuned and remember to hit subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next at Aussie Garage – where it’s always about the cars and the people who love them.
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