ALL THE RIGHT REASONS

A PHANTOM FACTORY HOTTIE WITH HIDDEN MOD CONS? CHRIS SYMEOU HAS TAKEN A UNIQUE VALIANT HARDTOP AND TRULY MADE IT HIS OWN

- STORY SIMON MAJOR PHOTOS BEN HOSKING

ONLY the bold would modify the genuine version of any factory muscle car nowadays, so there's much to be said for going a different route and building something from a donor car that isn't burdened with an inherent dollar value. Sydneysider Chris Symeou fell somewhere in the middle with the build of his VG Valiant Hardtop.

"I wanted to build a replica E35 Pacer, but my Hardtop left the factory as a Regal 770 with some rare and unusual options," Chris says. "I decided to make this build a happy compromise between both, which created something completely one-off."

Modifying cars is about expressing one’s individuality and personality, and Chris has followed that mantra to a T. But, like many projects, it all started from very humble beginnings. “The car was a mess," says Chris. “I bought it out of Queensland as a bare shell with boxes full of parts. It was allegedly complete, but once the build commenced, it became clear that a heap of stuff was missing.”

Not one to be deterred, Chris ploughed ahead, starting with getting the swoopy two-door shell knocked into shape by panel maestro Sebastian Desisto. Sebastian bare-metalled the body and hanging panels before replacing both rear quarters and the deck panel behind the rear screen. Any other rusty sections were patched with fresh metal, an era-correct Golde sunroof was inserted in the lid, and the ready shell was prepped for paint.