The Middy's Street Machine

In keeping with Middy's tradition of supporting Australian industry the Leyland P76 / 607 Executive model was designed and manufactured in Australia. Director Hugh Middendorp purchased Leyland P76's for use as Sales Rep's Cars in the mid 1970's. Vehicle features including massive boot storage made the P76 ideal for this purpose. However the P76 only had the spotlight for a short space of time with the fuel crisis of the late 1970's and some infamous build quality issues seeing the P76 meet it's untimely demise after only a couple of years. However Its innovation and uniqueness has now seen it establish a place for itself in Australia's automotive history, with P76's becoming increasingly rare and collectable.

The Leyland P76 has its roots as one of the few 100% Australian designed and manufactured vehicles, featuring amongst many other technical innovations an all alloy V8 engine option, and the ability to fit a 44 gallon drum in its boot. When launched in 1973 the P76 won Wheels Car Of The Year. The P76 was manufactured in Sydney and knock down kits were also exported for sale in NZ.

In Sept 1995 Middy's director Nicholas Middendorp was purchasing company vehicles when a P76 was spotted in the auction house. A touch of nostalgia was triggered by the lot vehicle being pink, and memories of the 70's Middy's sales fleet resulted in the purchase of one slightly used P76 for the sum of $1,400. A semi restoration was undertaken and the vehicle was decked out in Middy's livery and used for promotional purposes. It appeared frequently at promotional events throughout this period, but over the years signs of increasing wear and tear became evident.

In 2007 the P76 underwent a full nuts and bolts ground up restoration and customisation. This three year project resulted in the fully loaded Street Machine version Middy's P76 seen today... complete with airbrushed design and custom paintwork. Middy's are proud to have bought this specimen back to life as a sparkling customised Street Machine.

Model

• 1972 Leyland P76

Engine

• 350 Chev stroked to 383 ci. Dart Iron
• Eagle Platinum cylinder heads
• Comp Cams street\strip camshaft
• Comp Cams roller rockers
• Dyno - 373kw (500HP) 500ft/lbs Torque

Transmission & Drive Train

• Manual Shift, Turbo 350 with 2800 rpm
• Dominator high stall converter
• Custom 9" Diff housing with 3.7:1
• Moser Detroit Locker & 31 spline
• Moser billet axles

Induction

• 725 CFM Mighty Demon Carby on "Dart" air gap manifold

Exhaust

• HPC white ceramic coated Pacemaker extractors 2½" stainless steel custom exhaust

Suspension

• Pedder race struts with adjustable height front and rear

Wheels

• Centreline Convo Pro wheels 7" front, 10" rear

Mechanical and Custom Design

• Ken Pilkington & Roy Chapman - Claredale Motors (Phone 03 9792 4554)

Body Repair and Panel Building

• Dennis Robertson - Coach Builder (Phone 0411 157 877)

Painting and Preparation

• Andrew Chilver - Prestige Auto Care (Phone 0466 112251)
• Shane Innifer - Prestige Truck Refinishing (Phone 0412 149 477)

Airbrushing, Customising Dashboard & Parcel Shelf

• John Evans - Race Paint (Phone 0418 327 076)

Upholstery and Trimming

• David & Mathew Vella - Cranbourne Car Upholstery (Phone 03 5996 4031)

Audio System and Boot Construction

• Steve Lynn - Freeway Car Audio (Phone 03 9794 6477

Photography

• Peter Harrison - Inner Elements (Phone 0438 515 652)

Exhaust System

• Alan Hawkins - AL's Custom Exhausts (Phone 03 9791 9360)

• Leyland P76 40th Anniversary Concourse Canberra 2013 - Best Modified
• Summernats 2013 - Best Australian Muscle Car
• Shannons Aussie Car Show 2012 - Best Australian Muscle Car
• Leyland P76 Owners Club of Victoria Concourse 2012 - Best Modified
• Leyland P76 Owners Club of Victoria Concourse 2011 - Best Modified

Contact your Local Middy’s Branch for Middy's P76 merchandise and memorabilia.

• Middy's Street Machine Black Poster
• Middy's Street Machine Blue Poster
• Middy's Street Machine Stubby Holders