When Adam first clapped eyes on a white VP Clubsport sitting on the side of the road for sale, he knew that it was what he was looking for. At the time the asking price was a bit much so it was back to the trusty old HZ tonner for a while, before a short time behind the wheel of a 351 equipped XD. Around the same time as buying a mate’s stroked and blown VR fell through, the VP turned up once again- this time at a far more reasonable cost.

Number 295 had traveled 106,000 km at the time with immaculate panel and paint work and amazingly undamaged factory rims. You’d be hard pressed finding a set today without some curb rash! The only fault with the car was some worn rear anchors caused by stuck calipers- hardly a deal breaker so the car went home with Adam.

At the time of the purchase the plan was never to modify the car, but when your mate owns a panel shop and you decide a new hue is in order it doesn’t take long before the car is off the road. The fact that mate is Joe- better known to long term members of our forum as SIKUNIT- meant that nothing less than the best would do so it was a long time coming getting the panels just right for black. At the same time, the standard rear wing was removed, some chrome window trim was fitted up and clear tail lights went on. A VN rear bar completed the back end.

Describing himself as more into the burnouts and drags than the show and shine, something a little more enthusiastic also needed to be screwed together.

The stock stroke 304 was treated to a set of ACL flat top pistons and the heads machined 10 thou to bump the compression up to 10:1. The heads were cleaned up a little more before some Yella Terra roller rockers were bolted on. A solid camshaft ground for NOS tells the valves what to do while the 1000cfm throttle body and Harrop dual plane manifold lets the good air in. At the moment a NOS plate is fitted up ready to work with the 3 stage 300hp system which is yet to be hooked up to the car. The whole thing is topped by a bug catcher that rises through the bonnet and adds a whole lot of menace to the Clubby. A Haltec Computer does its best to keep the whole thing running like it should.

Pacemaker extractors help the gases escape the combo, flowing down to twin catalytic converters and then out to a 3 inch system. Between the rumble out the back and the whine of the Gilmer belts up front, you’ll know when it’s coming.

The factory box was given the flick in favour of the tougher TH350 which got the treatment with balloon plates front and rear, a stage II shift kit and a 3000rpm stall converter. A Pro Stick selects the gears and the power meets the tyres through a 3.45 equipped limited slip differential. Slotted discs front and rear pull the thing up and help keep the 225s on the front and 245s on the rear on the bitumen.

As it stands, the Clubby has made 275.5hp and went down the Hidden Valley quarter mile in 13.5 seconds on stock rims.

With all that you would thing the ride would be entertaining enough but a full Alpine audio system struggles to be heard over the noise. A flip screen head unit gives the signal to 4 splits in the parcel shelf, another two in the front doors and one 12 inch sub in the boot powered by a V12 amp. A monster tacho and water gauge supplement the factory dials.

From the time he first took the keys to the day it rumbled out of the garage black and a whole lot angrier took five years of after work spanner spinning. Adam tells me that without the help of his mates Joe and Greg the car wouldn’t have turned out half as well as it has. That doesn’t mean it is all over though. VR GTS seats are planned to replace the originals and the jury is still out as to whether the GTS stroker will also find its way between the towers.

The trouble is that VP SS now lives in the garage- so does the VP Clubby go back to stock so the SS gets to have all the fun or does Adam just have to build up another ball tearer? I know what I want to see.

Words by Mick

Pictures by Adam

The day it came home

The changes begin

Anyway you look at it, metal through the bonnet is boss

Out and about

How it was meant to be driven

Getting stuck in