Auto West has been producing calendars for over 8 years now, but, since 2018 we have really started getting into them. Since 2018 we have been wanting to show off our customers’ works and the quality of our products.
Our flagship calendar of 2018 was our “Homegrown Heroes” edition. This one was a message to everyone from the Auto West family. We wanted to show that at Auto West we don’t just sell to people who are passionate about cars, we ARE passionate about cars.
Cars can bring about a lot of memories and emotions to a lot of people. They can even sometimes keep a memory of someone else (like our unique October month). The memory of our first cars, our parents’ cars, or the car that we saw going on our road trip holiday that caught our breath and made us think, ‘that’s going to be mine one day’. The name “Homegrown Heroes” shows us just that.
Each vehicle owner has a memory of their car and why they love that make and model as much as they do – their memories are homegrown.
JANUARY
Ford Winter White, Process Blue, and Azure Blue. These were the main colors that were used in doing up Jim Campbells’ 1975 Mark 1 Ford Escort. It was painted in Protec Basecoat with an Extra Flow Clear over the top. The vehicle was completed 2 years ago (2016) and is now used as a personal leisure car. Although, it does make occasional appearances at various shows.
Jim and his team at John Newell Smash Repairs spent 18 months restoring the vehicle. This was mainly because of the previous butchered repair work. Luckily, the bare shell was not in bad shape. The one tip Jim would give is to “Always be passionate to see the job through”.
FEBRUARY
“A lot of rust. So we had to sandblast the lot but, it was a solid body and vehicle”. This was the state that the 1923 Ford T Model was in, which for a car of that age is not too bad. The vehicle has been brought back to life by Barry Smith and Duco Fix It, mainly for leisure. The car was painted in the 1964 Holden colour London Green using a Helios Basecoat. And the key to it all?… “Patience”. The entire restoration was finally completed in September 2016.
MARCH
The Protec 606 painted (now overtaken by Direct Gloss – GMIX), Elk Blue 1956 FJ Holden Panel Van was a sentimental restoration. For Jason and Chanelle Vella it was a caring love job because the FJ was a parent’s old car. Six years ago, they completed what was thought to be a non-repairable disaster to put it lightly. The self-restored van is now a loving memory for every Sunday drive that is taken. When asked for one DIY tip… “Never give up on your dream”.
APRIL
Pete Sinclair’s Ermine White 1968 Chevrolet Impala took around 6 months to restore. With both windscreens and both back guards needing to be replaced, along with small amounts of rust and panel repairs the vehicle wasn’t in the worst shape but enough to keep himself and Villawood Engines busy restoring it. The vehicle was painted in Protec 625 paint 2 years ago and has been used primarily as a leisure vehicle since. With his one word of advice Pete says “Do not buy a rusted-out car if you are not a panel beater, if you cannot do 90% of the work yourself, don’t do it”.
MAY
The 1951 Deluxe Club Sedan 200 Series Packard was a 7-year feat for Lee Harris finishing in early 2014. The main issues were the major rust in both the rear quarter panels and floor. While the majority of the work was done by himself, rust removal and upholstery were done by a professional.
The purpose of this car is mainly the lazy Sunday drives. Although there have been a few shows that this vehicle has participated in. Both competitive and friendly. The vibrant red colour is named ‘Packard Matadoe Maroon’ and is painted in Protec acrylic paint. Lee’s best DIY tip would be “Firstly count the cost and do some research before taking on such a big task and be willing to try anything yourself”.
JUNE
The 1953 Morris Oxford Utility Truck was a 5-year venture for the owners Bernie and Paul. With the ute being completely rusted out, many people including a professional said it would not be rebuildable. Paul never gave up and was eventually putting the finishing touches on.
It was painted just 18 months ago (2016) in Protec’s Direct Gloss (GMIX). This was in a custom colour based on a 1984 Toyota Aqua colour. The vehicle was installed with a featured 1.5ltr Nissan Super Charged Engine. Finally, the vehicle is now being used happily as a Sunday driver. Paul and Bernie’s best tip would be to “Start off with a good body and go from there”.
JULY
Built in the back shed by Jon Kendall with a little help from a few experts. This 1977 Torana LXSS has been featured in various shows. It is hard to believe that 1 year ago (2017) this ended as the finished product of a nine-month project. It started off as a body that had a lot of rust and no windows. Luckily the motor was working, though the hardest part was the fact that it was already started and Jon had to work with what the previous owners had completed. Jon worked through a fair amount of setbacks.
He said the best advice he can give would be to “Network amongst the vehicle community. Especially the specific makes and models of the cars you’re working on.” The Torana was painted in Protec Basecoat and has an Extra Flow Clear over the top. Painted in the GMH colour Morpheus. It is now used as both a show car and as a personal leisure vehicle.
AUGUST
Julius’ Wimbledon White Cortina which was completed in 2007 in a Protec 2K paint is one of the classiest cars out there. The 1964 Mark 1 Super Cortina is completely original besides one little secret. When restoring they needed an engine… an engine they got from a 1971 Cortina instead. A decision they needed to make. Though when asked for a tip, he said “No matter what, if the original is good, leave it that way!”
Overall the vehicle was not in the worst state. Through hard work, the entire restoration was done by himself and a few mechanics. With a lot of rust bubbles in the old paintwork and the rear taillight pushed in. Considering the age of the vehicle, the restoration was not nearly as bad as they can be. In saying that, those 3 years were no easy feat. But, it paid off as being a prize-winning show car and an enjoyable casual drive.
SEPTEMBER
“Talk to the professionals and talk to Auto West!” was the DIY advice given by Eddie Hopson. The proud owner of the 1974 Ford XB Coupe. After around 8 months of restorations and a complete strip down due to surface rust and dodgy paintwork. As well as a rebuilt interior and a custom dash, the vehicle was completed. This was 6 years ago and Eddie has enjoyed those leisurely Sunday drives ever since. For those who love the paintwork it was done in Protec 606 (now GMIX Direct Gloss) 2K Solid with a clear coat. The colour name is EDS Red.
OCTOBER
The most unique car in the calendar. This Coffin Car is exactly what its name represents. Custom made by Mick from Boneyard Kustomz, this car is quite literally made out of a coffin. The only thing that is familiar is the engine. Powered by a 1970’s Chevrolet engine it has power and sophistication.
As for the paint, it is painted in Protec’s 606 (now GMIX Direct Gloss) 2K Solid in a simple Jet Black. Completed just over 8 months ago and now used as a DIY car only for ‘Loving’. In the same wit as making a vehicle out of a coffin, the best advice from Mick that could be given when wanting to restore a vehicle would be… “Get someone else to do it!”
NOVEMBER
The most important thing that someone needs to remember is to “Use the same products all the way through the restoration” Barry from Nelson Bodyworks explains. It took 12 months to rebuild the 1955 Dodge Royal. It was stripped back and painted in Protec 606 (now GMIX Direct Gloss) with a two-tone colour scheme. Collen Green on the bottom and a custom green metallic on top. In 2002 the owner Darren Hill got his car back and it is now a leisure car for those Sunday drives.
DECEMBER
It’s been 5 years now since Michael from Deluxe Restorations completed his 1969 Holden HT Premier. In a full ground-up rebuild, the ‘Prem’ was stripped back to bare metal and recoloured, Aluminium Metallic. This was done in Protec Basecoat with an Extra Flow Clear on top. Michael said it was a bit of work, but it could have been much worse. It had to be completely resprayed and there were, of course, the regular issues that all restorers have with a car of this age.
