My Formula Q Chilli Rowdster

The road-registrable Formula Q Chilli Rowdster is the result of a partnership between veteran racer and racecar builder Rob Rowe, 63, and amateur racer Rodney Moynahan, 44, both of Sydney.

It started about 14 years when Moynahan wanted a lighter, cheaper and more track-oriented car than the Clubsport he had been using. "I wanted to go from a V8 taxi to something like a Lotus 7 Clubman," he says. But when he approached Lowe he was immediately dissuaded from the project.

"He offered to make me one and I bought a fibreglass nose and tail replica form the States and we put together a frame and chassis; something wide enough for two people,a although it just fits me comfortably."

The car uses the running gear from a 1970s Holden HQ and weighs just 750kg. But it's quite big and will accommodate many other running gear combinations even up to a current V8 or turbo four-cylinder engine. "I had just started racing HQ race sedans because it was cheap and CAMS was talking about getting rid of the old HQ cars," Moynahan says.

"We had a couple of HQs and thought we'd take the running gear, pull the body off it, use the front cross member and put it into a jig to make up a later-style chassis." The result is the Rowdster which can race in the iRace Series, open sports cars and hillclimbs.

"Originally we just wanted a cheap form of motorsport, but we got a bit carried away and worked with the RTA in NSW for two years to get it registered," he says. "The idea is to drive it to the track instead of trailoring it. It's registered as a home-made vehicle (ICV - individually constructed vehicle) like other kit cars. NSW is the hardest state to get a vehicle registered so I believe it can be driven in other states."

They have since built eight powder-coated chassis, sold three race versions and another rolling chassis, and Moynahan owns two registered cars, one of which he plans to sell for about $28,000. The road-going models have headlights, windscreen, indicators and an LPG system with a different carburettor and bigger manifold, while the race models are petrol-powered.

It takes about four days to make the chassis and Moynahan reckons it would take buyer "about seven weekends" to complete the car. "It's pretty easy. It's like a big version of a Meccano set," he says. Cost is about $5000 for the chassis, another $5000 for the body and the cost of whatever engine and transmission the owner wants installed.

A quick check of carsguide.com.au shows 1972 HQs available from $50 to $35,000 for a fully restored model. "Most of our buyers are new to motor racing and like the cheap price," Moynahan says.

"They're not really interested in putting them on the road. Financially we're not up to competing against Morgan or Caterham as road-going sports cars. This is just a hobby."

Contact: Rowe Auto (02) 9627 9455