A motors expert by trade, Mick’s passion shines through in his Camaro. It’s no surprise he’s dropped a big block engine into the car, paired with a Turbo 400 transmission and a 9-inch diff combo. Originally equipped with a small block, Mick felt that wasn’t enough to satisfy his need for speed and power. Over the years, he’s also updated the interior, adding a trim kit with new foam, making the seats more comfortable while giving the interior a sporty look—all while retaining the original seat frames.

On the outside, the front has seen fresh paint, but the rear still boasts its original finish, giving it a unique character. Despite this mix, the Camaro presents beautifully in its vibrant orange, and the 15-inch Centreline wheels complete the car’s classic muscle look. It’s a stunning ride, with plenty of muscle under the hood to back it up.

But that’s not the only car Mick has in his garage.

He’s currently working on a genuine, matching numbers 351 XB Ford Falcon GT—a classic that he plans to flip. This particular XB came to Mick through a friend who couldn’t close the deal, so Mick swooped in a few months later. It’s an extremely rare model—one of only six produced with its specific colour and trim combo. The B2 interior features a fabric and vinyl combination, while the exterior sports a striking Mulberry colour.

Mick’s XB Ford Falcon GT currently rolls on a set of globe wheels, though he’s held onto the original 12-slot wheels to keep it as authentic as possible. He’s still putting the finishing touches on it, but it may already be on the road by now. We can’t wait to see this one fully restored and tearing up the streets.

Thanks for tuning in to Aussie Garage—stay tuned for more interviews coming soon.

The post Aussie Garage: Catching Up with Mick and His Legendary Rides appeared first on Australia's Home of Classic Cars, Muscle Cars & Automotive Events.

The HZ Kingswood wasn’t just a car to Ross—it was a companion. It became part of his daily life, accompanying him everywhere without fail. The vehicle seldom gave him any trouble, and Ross, being a hands-on car enthusiast, did all of the servicing himself. He maintained it in immaculate condition, treating it with such care that he never even allowed his children to drive it, fearing any potential damage.

Over the years, Ross owned several other Holdens, but none ever held a place in his heart like the Kingswood.

A Devastating Loss

However, Ross’ long-standing relationship with his beloved Kingswood came to a tragic end recently. While visiting his son’s house and staying the night, an unknown thief broke into his garage. Armed with a spare battery, they stole the HZ Holden, leaving Ross devastated.

The theft garnered media attention, and after five agonizing days, the police located the car in the Menzies Creek area. But the discovery came with heartbreak—the thieves had torched the interior, leaving the once-pristine Kingswood severely damaged.

Although Ross had insured the car, it was not enough to cover its true sentimental and market value. This incident serves as a sobering reminder: always check the value of your vehicle to ensure you are adequately covered.

The Heartbreak and Hope

The loss of the Kingswood has taken an emotional toll on Ross. For him, the car was more than a mode of transportation—it was the love of his life. Seeing it reduced to a charred shell broke his heart. However, there is hope on the horizon, thanks to the support of the Melbourne car community and Ross’ dedicated son, Alf.

Alf has been rallying support from local businesses and car enthusiasts to help restore the Kingswood to its former glory. A touching gesture came from the Bole family, who owned a similar HZ Holden Kingswood from the same year and in the same Atlantis Blue color. Although it had a 6-cylinder engine instead of the V8, they generously offered Alf first rights to purchase the car, which he gratefully accepted.

The Restoration Effort

Restoring a classic car, especially one as beloved as Ross’ HZ Kingswood, is no small feat. It involves sourcing hard-to-find parts like a GTS dash, rebuilding the engine, extensive labor, and much more. Thankfully, several businesses have already stepped forward to assist, but more support is needed to fully complete the project.

The goal is to have the car fully restored and running by Christmas, so Ross can once again be reunited with the vehicle that means so much to him.

How You Can Help

The family has set up a GoFundMe page titled “Restore It For Ross” to help cover the costs of the restoration. If you can contribute, no matter how small, it would be greatly appreciated by Ross and his family. Every bit of support brings them one step closer to reviving the Kingswood and restoring Ross’ joy.

Special Thanks

A huge thanks goes out to the businesses and individuals who have already lent their support to this effort:

• Splatt Engineering
• M&G Motors
• Dandy Engines
• PPG Paints
• Rare Spares
• American Graffiti Restorations

These businesses have been pivotal in helping bring this dream to life. If you’d like to help, either by donating or offering services, please reach out or donate to the GoFundMe page Restore It For Ross.

Let’s all come together to bring Ross’ pride and joy back to life and give him the gift of reuniting with his beloved HZ Holden Kingswood.

The post A Heartfelt Journey to Restore Ross’ HZ Holden Kingswood: The Love of His Life appeared first on Australia's Home of Classic Cars, Muscle Cars & Automotive Events.