Hi guys, I am new to the forums obviously. I'm from way down in little old New Zealand. Just a young'un, but I have a great passion for hot rods and custom cars.

In the past, my old man and I have built a Shelby Cobra replica, powered buy a worked 302 Windsor, 5spd manual transmission, with Jaguar independant suspension all round.

My current project is a 1970 MK2 Ford Cortina, which isn't really a hot rod, but it's undergoing some long term customisation. The Cortina is a small British car, and mine was originally powered by a 1300cc 4cyl. However I am replacing that with a stroked 289. I have the engine, but it is yet to be rebuilt. It will also be backed by a 5spd manual transmission, and rear axle from a 90something Falcon.

I'm intending to go with a four link and colover setup for the rear end, which is a major reason I joined this site, to find out some more info about that. I have a few ideas and knowledge about the setup, but require some more specifics, so I will start a topic in the appropriate forum.

The front suspension is being replaced with tubular wishbones/A arms and coilovers, and a custom made cross member.

The firewall will be cut and transmission tunnel enlarged in order to get it all fitting in there properly. A half rollcage will be fitted as well. The car will be primarily for street use, and cruising to shows and events, end generally enjoying.

Those are the plans, and as I said, it's a long term project. I am a student, balancing studying and working, and I'm intending to get into a form of automotive engineering as my career, specifically in the hot rod and custom car scene, which is very big here for a relatively small country. I'm set on a fitter/turner, machinist, welder, fabricator extraordinare kind of job.

I have set up a small website to detail the build of this car, and probably future cars too. It's mostly full of ideas at the moment, but some real progress will start happening soon.

Anyway, you can find the site here.

I look forwards to meeting and chatting with some of you and finding out some more info.