Often the biggest problem with undertaking a major project is finding a vehicle suitable for the facelift. After all, mechanical problems, poor body alignment, shoddy prior repairs and rust can all burn a mountain of cash before you even start.

Luckily for Josh, the perfect base vehicle was already in the family and just waiting to be turned into something special. The eye searing yellow monster featured here, started life as a rather plain Berlina and being a 1991, home to many of the running refinements to the VN over its’ life cycle. Being in the family since new, the history was well known and the car was in good condition for it’s’ age.

But take a look at it now. Seriously, stop reading and look through the photos. Look closely and even then you probably won’t pick all of the body mods.

It starts with that brighter than bright yellow- Citrus Yellow to be exact. There’s no metallic fleck, or pearls, or other special effects, just a whole lot of yellow pigment. It’s certain to stand out in a crowd and was chosen to fit in with the Bumblebee theme that flows on through the car (for those of you either too old or two young to remember- Google Bumblebee). That also explains the black stripes that grace the bonnet, run through the interior and out to the tail of the VN.

The bonnet in question is a Savage Fibreglass vented unit which looks right at home with the Group A kit. The bonnet also bolted up without any of the dramas the kit brought to the party, which Josh says was the most difficult part of the build. It’s not the first time we’ve heard about ill fitting body kits however this one was particularly hard to get along with. Extra shaping was required front and rear to marry it up neatly beneath the lights, the skirts were too long and of course when fitted up would foul on the doors making it impossible to shut them.

Thankfully, the guys are Hornsby Prestige Smash Repairs were able to overcome the many defects and get the most from what was obviously a sub par kit. To keep things clean, the Group A rear spoiler was left off the shopping list and with the vented bonnet in place the bulge was also surplus to requirements. Josh picked the kit to keep things from the same era- there’s no doubting the Group A is the hero car of the VN line up- and I could not agree more that the extra additions really do give the car a tougher edge and provide a good basis for a custom VN.

However what really excites me about this car isn’t the obvious. It is the subtle mods that I was alluding to earlier. Do you think you spotted them all?

The aerial has been deleted, the boot lid garnish removed and smoothed, the waist line gone, the C pillar smoothed, the panel join beneath the tail lights filled, bonnet grooves and the deleted fuel flap with the filler relocated to the boot. The first few times I looked at the car I noticed something else each time and to me that makes for a great show car. Again, it was the guys at Hornsby Prestige who were got busy with the body filler and it really sets the car apart. Josh told us that although a few quality cars have left their workshop, this one is perhaps the most in depth build so far.

It is also testament to what can be achieved when you sit down and plan your build. It was in the first six months of owning the car that the plan was laid out. And the finished product is almost word perfect to that original ideal.

The Berlina interior received a re trim in black and yellow synthetic leather with embroidered Autobot motifs in each seat to continue the Bumblebee theme. Interestingly, rather than running the black stripes over the roof, they move through the interior, over the parcel shelf and out of onto the boot lid. It’s a bit of a new spin on the idea and it also helps tie the interior in with the exterior looks.

VS speaker pods have been added to the door cars which along with the centre console and dash have been painted in black vinyl paint. An aftermarket steering wheel and handbrake add another touch on the Transformers theme.

A JVC DVD head unit sends the tunes onto two JVC 6” splits in the front and two Clarion 6” speakers in the rear via a four channel Clarion amp. Two Kicker subs provide the thump, running off a Kicker amp.

Mechanically, the car hasn’t been treated to the same level of mods as the rest of the package. That is, at least, until the P plates can be lowered and the power restrictions lifted. For now the Buick six has been treated to a VS over the radiator cold air intake, a V8 throttle body, Mitsubishi Magna injectors and a 2.5” exhaust. As most of the V6 guys would know, those are some great, cost effective mods to get more poke out of the old girl and help make a mockery of the P plate restrictions.

The factory automatic transmission was given the flick in favour of a 5 speed- a VN issue T5- which provides a greater level of feedback and gives the driver more complete experience.

The braking package remains relatively stock with the only change being the swap for cross drilled and slotted rotors which can be spied through the 18” PDW rims. Super low King springs keep things off the ground along with Pedders shocks and an adjustable pan hard rod to sort out any diff alignment issues and save the tyres from scrubbing

Apparently things aren’t quite finished yet and the car will continue to evolve over time. For now though, the plan is to follow Cruise for Charity from Sydney through Melbourne and onto Adelaide where Josh is hoping the Street Commodores guys will take notice. From where I sit, I can’t see any reason why NOJ05H isn’t worthy.

Josh did have this to offer anyone looking to throw some dollars at their ride- get to know your builder. Talk to them, ask questions and build a relationship with them. After all, most people are prepared to go that extra mile once they realise what you are hoping to achieve.

And the other thing- save your money and work out your plan. Having a clear idea will save you money in the long run.

Words by Mick

Pictures by Josh

Wild yellow paint and a whole heap of body mods

Deleted garnish and smoothed joins

The kit took a lot of massaging to get just right

No more filler cover in the guard

The relocated filler

Largely stock for the time being

Berlina pews treated to some synthetic leather

And this is how it started...