Mark Riek, the director/project manager of Benchmark
Commercial Building Services in Brisbane QLD, has done up several cars over the
past 20 years including: a HR Holden Premier, a VH SL/E Commodore (was a 253
stroked to 307), an LH Torana and a Toyota Hilux mini truck just to name a few; a wide range of vehicles. After a run of fast or modified cars, Mark
made a switch to 4WDs for a few years until he followed an FJ Ute out on the
road one day and the project itch returned. So began the search for what was
originally going to be an FJ ute. However, when this FX presented itself, it
was too good to pass up and besides, there was something special about owning
one of the first Holden Utes. “I see it that I saved an Aussie icon from a
future of rusting away in a paddock somewhere”, says Mark.
As with many of us the ‘old man’ plays a big part. Mark’s
previous cars had a helping hand from Marks father John Riek: “As for the body
work I have to give full credit to my dad. Without his help the ute would still
be sitting under the house today. My original intention, when I bought the ute,
was to carry out the rust repairs myself and get my dad to assist me but
shortly after buying the ute my wife fell pregnant and then we sold house and
bought a 100 year old workers cottage and we started renovating it, then we had
our second child then I started my own business, meanwhile the ute was
trailered up to my dad's place and he started work on it for me and it hasn't
left there since. I don't think it will leave there now until it's registered (which
will hopefully be soon)”.
Below Some pics of the hard work Johnh Riek put in
As for the family; “Does my wife love the ute? Now, yes, but
when I bought it, no, but as it's nearing completion she is calling it her
Friday cruise car. Lily's not a massive car fan (even though I did take her to
the drags on our first date, something I'll never live down).” Mark may never
live that down but the story lives on and I’m sure will be passed through the
generations.
Below Mark his son Benji and daughter Bessie.
The grey motor bug didn't really bite until the project had
progressed for a while. “I think my dad's traditional approach to restoring old
cars started rubbing off on me, even if I wasn't going to compromise on
upgraded driveline components like suspension and steering etc. My dad
introduced me to Geoff Scott. Geoff had only just recently completed a heavily
worked grey motor that was to go in a circuit race car running methanol
injection and he said if we whack a turbo on it, it would be good for around
250rwhp. I had no idea that these old grey motors were good for that kind of
power and the more I thought about it the more I loved the idea of keeping the
original motor in the FX. It's almost rare to see an FX or FJ with a grey motor
these days and even rarer to see one so extensively modified, it should shock (and
impress) a few people.
I love the FX; such a mean looking car. I’ve always thought they were a fine vehicle
even with that tiny little 132ci 60hp grey motor. When I picked up this beauty in 2009 it was
only $1000 from eBay. Times have changed
and this would fetch quite a bit more these days. I knew she needed some work but I wanted to
see her happy again. At first I was
considering a small V8 or commo V6 conversion but my ute deserved better than
that. Modernising the steering and
brakes are important and required but taking out her heart, the grey, just
didn’t feel right. In the end I decide a
turbo grey would keep her running the original engine but with a modern
twist. Something different, something
people will appreciate... and appreciate we do.
There is just something about the grey motor and a turbo one is just
super rare. I spent a total of 5 ½ years
getting her to the point she is now.
Started and running and it sounds mean.”
(see video).
“I am hoping for around 250rwhp on about 12 pound boost,
that's the maximum boost we feel comfortable running. Geoff thinks it will make
those figures. It will be dyno tuned before it's registered so we'll soon see”,
says Mark.
As you can see, while the motor has received huge amounts of
attention, so has the body. Fully
restored back to bare metal, all rust repairs, chassis kit, 16” wheels and a
full rack and pinion front end. This car
will not only look the part, sound the part but will also drive and handle the
part.
“My timeline has blown out by years, I was hoping to get it
complete for a maiden run to Cooly Rocks On at Coolangatta in 2012, the June
event just gone I even had accommodation booked and prepaid my entry fee, but
still didn't make it. But I haven't seen this project as a race, it's more like
a marathon, and I have saved for quality parts instead of just slapping it
together. I was never going to compromise on quality.”
Mark tells me “Although the ute wasn't initially built for
the show scene, its finish and quality is far beyond what I was hoping for but,
then again, my dad is a perfectionist so it's little wonder. It will be my
weekend cruise car and I do want to share what dad and I have created so a show
here or there is inevitable”. I agree
and a vehicle this well presented should be shown off and appreciated.
Well done on something unique and staying true to the
heritage of the grey motor and not going red or V8.
Specs:
Engine:
Turbo fitted to original 138 Grey motor
PWR water to air intercooler
PWR custom aluminium radiator with twin 12” thermo fans
81mm bore using Mazda pistons
Superlite cross drilled nitrided crankshaft
Balanced and blueprinted bottom end
Plateau honed cylinder finish
Custom modified oil pump with external pressure control
Baffled and external oil supplied sump/pickup
4G64 conrods with "ARP" 3/8 bolts
Alloy timing gear matched set
Turbo spec waggott cam
Refaced and heat treated lifters
Ported cylinder head, inlet bored to 34mm
38/33 valves on 7mm sintered guides
Single performance valve springs 90/188LBS
Motec ECU
Fully fabricated custom EFI fuel rail.
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Transmission:
Shift kitted Tri-matic Auto with a high stall convertor
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Diff:
9" Diff - standard FX Holden width with a 3.5 Truetrak
centre and 31 spline billet axels
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Breaks, front end and suspension:
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| VR / VS Commodore Disc brakes front and rear VR / VS Commodore pedal assembly and brake booster V6 Conversions coil over front end VL Commodore manual steering rack HG Holden collapsible steering column with HD/HR Holden auto selector indicator |
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| Chassis, body, other: Castlemaine Rod Shop chassis strengthening kit incl cross member Custom stainless steel fuel tank - built to fit into standard mountings Relocated battery into the rear of the tray Retractable Seat belts Heater / demister 2 speed / intermittent windscreen wipers VR / VS Commodore Disc brakes front and rear VR / VS Commodore pedal assembly and brake booster V6 Conversions coil over front end VL Commodore manual steering rack HG Holden collapsible steering column with HD/HR Holden auto selector indicator Windscreen washer jets 16” x 6” steel smoothie wheels fitted with VW hubcap clips to fit original Holden hubcaps | |
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