best cars to restore australia

For restorations in Australia, the smart money chases cars with parts, clubs, and stories. Think local legends: Holden Kingswood/Monaro, Torana, early Commodore; and Ford Falcon XR-XY, XA-XC, plus classic utes. Japanese icons are gold too: Datsun/Nissan 240Z-260Z, early Skyline, Mazda RX-7 Series 1-3, Toyota LandCruiser 40/60 Series, and the humble Mini and VW Beetle for budget-friendly fun. Pick something complete and mostly unmolested; rust, missing papers, and "custom wiring" are how projects become lawn ornaments. Set a parts budget that hurts a little less than reality, then double the time estimate for good measure. Hunting grounds like Tradingpost and club classifieds are your friend when the shed starts looking empty.