Under the Hood: the Jaggs' build cars for the streets, not silverware
Published on 12 March 2026
Husband-and-wife duo Nicole and Paul Jaggs aren’t chasing trophies at Rockynats. They’re chasing the good stuff: loud engines, late nights in the shed and an annual road trip that’s become a tradition.
For them, Rockynats isn’t just another event on the calendar – it’s an annual pilgrimage to one of Australia’s wildest street machine festivals. Circled in permanent marker, it’s the one long weekend they allow themselves to take a well-earned break from running two businesses back home in Buccan, QLD – some eight plus hours' drive from Rocky.
Because when it comes to Rockynats, the Jaggs family rolls in ready. Paul’s love of old metal started early.
“I had an old XD and a few other cars we used to muck around with. I bought my first car when I was about 16 and it just grew from there,” Paul said.
What began as teenage tinkering, quickly turned into a lifelong obsession with bringing classic Aussie steel back to life.
Nicole’s journey into the car scene started even earlier.
“My dad was a mechanic, so I grew up around cars,” Nicole explains. “Drag racers, old-school stuff around Surfers Paradise – it was always part of life.”
These days that passion plays out in the Jaggs shed, where the couple work side-by-side on their builds. Nicole often leads the creative direction, while Paul brings the ideas to life with his bodywork and fabrication skills.
“We bounce most ideas off each other,” Paul says. “Nicole designs most of the cars I build.”
Nicole’s pride and joy is a striking 1975 LH Torana that started life as a ‘rolling shell before being completely rebuilt in the Jaggs’ home shed. Under the bonnet is a unique engine combo that blends modern performance with a classic look.
“People can’t quite figure out what it is,” Nicole laughs. “But I wanted something that stood out.”
Nicole’s Torana is no stranger to Rockynats, with a record that includes a shot at the Grand Champion title in 2023 and a Rare Spares Judging Award in '25. Paul’s ride, a tough 1968 HK Ute, had a far more chaotic path to completion. Discovered as a dusty farm Ute out west in CQ, the project quickly turned into a full rebuild involving countless hours of rust repairs, panel work and modifications. Just as the finishing touches were being made, an interior colour mix-up triggered a last-minute decision to change the car’s entire appearance, forcing the Jaggs crew to redo major parts of the build just six weeks before Rockynats 05.
“It was definitely a crazy ride,” Nicole admits.
The engine fired for the first time just 10 days before the pair hit the road to Rockhampton last year, but the HK still managed to nab a Show n’ Shine Standout award and made the Top 20 Street at Rockynats 05. Since then, the tough HK was named one of six Show n’ Shine Standout winners at Summernats 38. Paul also gave the Street Champion driving events a proper crack on the iconic burnout Summernats pad – proving that his build will continue to turn heads. Even then, trophies were never the goal.
“We aren’t trophy hunters,” Paul says. “Everyone’s different in this scene and that’s what makes it good.”
For the Jaggs crew, the philosophy behind building cars is simple.
“We use our cars,” Paul said.
That mindset is exactly why Rockynats has become such an important part of their year.
“It’s become a bit of a habit,” Nicole says. “Rockynats is our annual holiday.”
The drive north, camping at the venue and catching up with familiar faces has become a tradition they look forward to every year. One of Nicole’s favourite moments is watching the crowds line Quay Street as the cars roll through the heart of Rockhampton for the Street Parade.
“Seeing kids run down the street to look at the cars – that’s a core memory,” Nicole said. Paul agrees. “Rockynats is different to most events. It’s spread right through the town and it’s a real family event. It’s just awesome.”
Their weekends usually revolve around cruising their cars, checking out other builds and reconnecting with people they met the year before.
“You might run into someone you met last year, or someone who needs a hand with something,” Paul says. “Everyone’s there for the same reason.”
Of course, there’s always time to soak up the full Rockynats experience – from checking out the builds across the precinct to the festival atmosphere that takes over the city. And when the HK Ute fires into life, Paul admits he can’t resist a little fun.
“I love a skid or two,” he laughs. “But the wife gets the final say on whether that actually happens.”
With Nicole’s Torana returning and Paul’s HK Ute now properly finished and ready to stretch its legs, the Jaggs duo will be rolling into Rockynats 06 exactly how they like it: cars built in their own shed, cars built to be driven, and another Rockynats weekend of cruising, noise and chaos ready to unfold.
Join Nicole and Paul at Rare Spares & Repco Rockynats in Rockhampton, QLD from 17-19 April 2026. Visit rockynats.com.au/tickets for tickets, entries and more information.