Under the Hood: Brad Jenkins and the 14-Year Build of “2QWIK4U”
Published on 18 April 2026
Inside the Meguiars Elite Pavilion at Rare Spares and Repco Rockynats 06, anticipation builds long before the covers come off. The Elite Show is reserved for the event’s most exceptional builds, each one rolled in unseen, guarded, and held back from public view until their official reveal on the Rockynats stage. It’s a space reserved only for the best of the best, where every vehicle has well and truly earned its place under lights.
It was here that Gladstone local Brad Jenkins finally unveiled his 1972 Ford XA Coupe ‘2QWIK4U’ last night, joining an exclusive, hand-picked club of high calibre custom and performance builds.
Securing a place in the Elite Hall is a significant achievement in itself, signifying that the quality of your build reflects the epitome of craftsmanship, detail and execution. For Brad, the moment also marked the end of a long 14-year journey to restore the XA that began, like many great car stories do, in a humble family shed.
“My love of cars comes from my childhood,” he says. “Dad built an XB hardtop from the ground up. He started it when I was in primary school and finished it when I was in high school. I actually drove that car to my graduation.”
It was that experience that planted the seed.
“When I decided to build my own car about 14 years ago, naturally, it had to be a hardtop. I didn’t want a huge project at the time, but I couldn’t afford a running, driving car, so I bought a complete XA Falcon 500 that had been an abandoned project. It was a 302, top-loader car in wild violet with white interior, but it needed a serious amount of love.”
What started as a hopeful purchase quickly became a full-scale restoration reality check.
“When I got it home and started pulling it apart, I was horrified by the amount of rust and dodgy repairs,” he says. “I’d seen worse restored by professionals, but I’d never tackled anything like this before. Doing the work myself was really the only option. I had a mortgage and a young family, so paying someone wasn’t possible.”
What followed was a slow, methodical rebuild, one section at a time.
“I broke it down into smaller jobs so it didn’t feel overwhelming. I’d focus on one area, finish it, then move to the next. I watched a lot of YouTube videos and just figured the rest out as I went.”
Like many long-term builds, there were moments of doubt along the way.
“There were definitely times I thought about giving up on it,” Brad admits honestly. “But I’d step away for a while, then come back to it months later with a renewed drive to get it done.”
The project’s direction shifted dramatically in 2021, when Rockynats arrived 100km up the road in Rockhampton.
“Living in Gladstone, I’d never seen anything like it,” he says. “So many unbelievable cars in one place — it was inspiring.”
That weekend didn’t just reset his motivation, it reframed his goal entirely.
“I’d always wanted a tough street car that could run a number, but after attending Rockynats that first time, I had a new target: getting into the Elite Hall.”
From there, 2QWIK4U began its transformation into a show-quality, elite-level build. Brad enlisted the help of some of the industry’s best to bring the vision to life, including Pat O’Shea and the team at Pat’s Pro Restos, who refined the body and laid down its striking Glasurit Wild Violet finish.
Inside, Reid McInnes of Muscle Car Interiors handled the trim, while the driveline was built around a ProCharged combination chosen for both performance and packaging.
“They make good power, but I like them because they’re a bit different and they fit under the bonnet,” Brad says.
A tough Arrow-block Clevo was assembled by a Melbourne-based performance shop, backed by a Paul Rodgers TH400 transmission and Race Products 9-inch diff. The engine was built by Competition Engines, and the car is also heavily integrated with Haltech systems, wired by Jason Payne at Repower Conversion and Motorsports Wiring.
Underneath, the elite attention to detail continues. Hidden modifications, chassis connectors, anti-roll bar, custom fuel system and fuel tank, and countless hours spent refining the small things most people will never see.
“It’s taken thousands of hours,” he says. “It’s hard to believe this I’ve made it here and its finally on debut at Rockynats 06. I wouldn’t have wanted to unveil it anywhere else; it’s a fantastic event.”
And while today marks the public unveiling, the journey is far from over.
“The plan is to show the car for a year or so, then start chasing a number,” Brad says of his future plans. “It’ll run an eight no worries.”
But perhaps the most meaningful part of the build isn’t found under the bonnet, it’s been the lifelong bonds that have been forming as a results of the countless hours spent in the shed.
“My son Brayden helped out a lot along the way,” he says. “And like me at his age, I think he’s got the bug now. He’s already looking for his own project.”
As for the moment the covers came off inside the Elite Pavilion last night, Brad describes it as a once in a lifetime moment that has fulfilled a childhood dream.
“I spent my childhood dreaming about cars just like these around us. I had Street Machine posters all over my walls. It’s a dream come true to own something that’s not out of place in the Rockynats Elite Hall.”
The Elite Pavillion offers a rare chance to see show-stopping craftsmanship like Brad’s up close, with every build representing years of dedication, detail and passion. To see the incredible array of builds on display firsthand, head to the Robert Schwarten Pavilion at the FMX Kaos Showgrounds precinct from 9:00am–6:30pm today (Saturday 18 April) and 10:00am–4:00pm tomorrow (Sunday 19 April). Access included in all Rockynats passes.