What started out as a father and son project has become a prize-winning piece of machinery.
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For more than a decade, the Beachamp family’s FB Holden was used as a daily run-around car.
But now the car has been given a new lease of life as a finalist in the Street Machine of the Year competition.
Even if we go no further, just to make the top 16 is a massive achievement.
Judy Beauchamp, of Mount Annan, said the vehicle was just an ordinary family car.
“We bought it about 25 years ago – it’s all we could afford at the time,” she said.
“We drove it around for 10 or 12 years and then it was off the road for a while, apart from the occasional school formal.
“We decided it was about time to clean it up and things escalated from there.”
Judy’s husband Peter, and her sons Daniel and Andrew, transformed the four-door family car into a two-door show-stopping display car.
It was a 15-year labour of love.
The men, who had no prior experience working on cars, re-built the car from the ground up with the help of plenty of local businesses.
“Most of the work was done in our double garage at home,” Mrs Beauchamp said.
“My husband is a cabinet maker and my boys are electricians – but they’ve always loved cars.
“We just never expected it to get to this point.”
Thousands of people try their luck at entering the prestigious competition – run by one of Australia’s leading car enthusiast magazines – but the Beauchamps’ car is one of just 16 vying for the top prize.
“We unveiled it at Summernats in 2017 and we haven’t looked back,” Mrs Beauchamp said.
“It’s amazing to make it this far. We have had some fantastic support from local businesses.
“When we think about the years of work that have gone into building the car we are just blown away.
“Even if we go no further, just to make the top 16 is a massive achievement.”
The 1960 twin turbo FB Holden was completely rebuilt including a custom interior and custom paint colour.
The car now has a tilt front end and two doors rather than four.
The ex-Lexus engine can cope with 14psi and an 800hp.
“We built it from the ground up – every nut and bolt,” Mrs Beauchamp said.
“It was a lot of ups and downs and sometimes it was three steps forward and one step back but the car is just beautiful.
“To be ranked amongst this calibre of competition is amazing.”
To vote for the Beauchamps in the Street Machine of the Year, visit: whichcar.com.au/events/smoty/valvoline-street-machine-of-the-year-2018-voting.