One of Australia’s oldest hot rods is owned and built by Peter Swift, better known as “Swifty”. Living in country Victoria, when Swifty started building his first hot rod along side life long mate Eddie Ford who was building a channeled ’34 coupe the only real guide they had were some early copies of Custom Rodder magazine from America. Peter and Eddie searched the countryside and dragged home the remains of a 1924 Ford T truck, the rest as they say is history, a very important part of Australian hot rodding history. Swifty’s timeless T Bucket remains essentially unchanged today.

Back in 1966 Peter Swift and another budding young country Victorian hot rodder Eddie Ford ventured on the voyage of a lifetime to the U.S.A. to experience what they had only ever read about in American hot rod magazines. Swifty recounts a bit about the trip in part 2.

Castlemaine hot rodder Billy Mussett was taken from us far to soon on October 16th 2008 but it will be decades if not more before his name wont be synonymous with that of hot rodding in Australia. Murray from Cruizin caught up with one of his close mates in Leigh Charter (dec.) to talk about Bill and his world renowned ’32 3 window coupe powered by a blown big block Chev backed by a Doug Nash 5 speed and Franklin quick change rear end. This hot rod was built some 25 years prior to filming and has also featured in many hot rod publications including The Rodders Journal.
In part 2 we follow on with the blessing of Billy’s wife Michel at Bills funeral where many had gathered at Rod & Carol Hadfield’s hot rod museum to cellebrate the life of William “Billy the Kid” Mussett. We then in parts 3 and 4 talk with another of Bill’s mates Rod Hadfield who also recites a poem he wrote to Billy as the main streets through Chewton and Castlemaine are closed for Billy’s last ride and the procession of hot rods and Harleys that followed.
R.I.P. William “Billy the Kid” Mussett

Often referred to as “Aussie Norm” due to his radiator business “Aussie Desert Coolers” and the fact his name is Norm Hardinge few in the hot rod world wouldn’t have heard of him as he through his business and personal involvement supports more hot rodding events and clubs than you’d think possible. Murray from Cruizin catches up with Norn in his shed to look at his latest projects, this part 1 of 2.

Part 2 with Aussie Norm about his 1932 coupe he’s building, very different to most you’ll come accross running a blown 392 Hemi and built to replicate a period drag car and his much travelled 1940 Ford pickup. Norms coupe is another that’s long since been finished and covered many miles.

Victorian hot rodder Wayne Bellot, better known as Oggie and one half of long time D.L.R.A. salt racing team Big Knob Racing has had his improved A coupe for over 20 years. In this time it has changed a great deal and travelled to all states of Australia. Murray from Cruizin caught up with him at racing partner Aussie Norm Hardinge’s for a chat.

While at Norms we also caught up with Jack about his 1930 Ford Model A coupe. Jack’s plans had a change along the way but with a direction in mind he now enjoys the fruits of his labour, he tells us about it on Cruizin

Following on from their multi award winning home built candy apple red EK Holden, Perth brothers Roger and David Williams are now 1 year into the build of their latest project a 1953 Chev 2 door hardtop. Murray from Cruizin caught up with them to find out where there at and the plans they have.

This build has since been completed is now regularly turning up at events in WA.

Cruizin visits long time Melbourne hot rodder Gerry Lucas to talk about his latest project, another 1934 Ford 5 window coupe, this one channeled and then continue on to part 2 to look at his ’34 coupe he’s had since the 70′s and his other project a 1934 Ford pickup.

Murray joins Ren and Fred from Farrace Auto Rust as they demonstrates their technique for lead wiping also known as lead loading following panel repairs in the restoration of a Valiant ute as shown on Cruizin.

Cruizin was first broadcast on Access 31 Television in Perth, Western Australia in 1999 and has now spread to all UHF 31 stations around Australia and also more recently into New Zealand via Triangle Television. We bring you local, interstate and international events and features presented by fellow car enthusiasts talking directly with the owners, builders and creators of these magnificent special interest motor vehicles.

Another popular aspect of Cruizin is the ongoing supply of informative how-to and technical segments. Over time we have shown stories and will continue to show more on subjects including hot rod chassis fabrication, metal working skills, lead wiping, motor trimming, flame painting and much more. These stories have been done with both industry specialists and home builders alike so as to be informative while also being attainable by the average hobbyist.

All enquiries email cruizintv@iinet.net.au