1938 Fordson E83W van - The best of the 2019 Victorian Hot Rod Show

From the factory, these vans were powered by a 1.2-litre four-cylinder engine driving the rear wheels through a 3-speed manual gearbox. In its place, Johnny Z’s fitted a supercharged 383-cube Chev V8, hooked up to a Turbo 400 auto and driving the rears – much larger than the original factory wheels! -  through a full-floater 9-inch diff.

Changes to the running gear and rolling stock tell only part of the story, though, as the bodywork has been comprehensively modified, with a widened body, hugely-reworked front end, suicide doors, massive rear wheel tubs and custom tailgate included in the more than 300 body modifications.

The van’s interior was also comprehensively remade, with modern bucket seats, custom gauge pod, centre console and floor

To illustrate the work put into Speed Box, Johnny Z’s presented an unmodified ’38 Fordson van alongside.