VIDEO: Motors & Me - Peter Palusinski

Take a tour through Peter Palusinski’s motoring history.

what are you currently driving?

Some call it ScoobyDoo, others A-Team or Day Van. It’s an old-school ‘79 Chevy van — produced in 1979 in Lordstown assembly by General Motors. The conversion was made by Winnebago Custom Vans company.

Love at first sight, or just a means to get from A to B?

Although I’ve seen so many ‘Shaggy Vans’, this one that I drive every day impressed me at first sight. It’s the size of a tank, but with a lovely shape and a powerful engine hidden inside.

What’s under the bonnet?

A V8 5.7lt engine, Holley carb and exhaust headers with sidepipes, 3 speed automatic tranny TH350. Pure basic mechanical engine without any modern electronic rubbish, computer controlled stuff or emission controls. Powerful beast with deep idle sounds like a good heartbeat.

Petrol head or Sunday driver?

Pure petrol head. When I have the opportunity, I enjoy showing my vans off and making noise. The neighbours on my street are really friendly and great people, very tolerant!

Here, in Kerry I have lots of support, such a positive incentive to continue what I’m doing from Killarney’s town community. I try to share my experience with American engines by helping others. Together with my close friend Misiek we are trying to breathe new life into the old Ford Mustang’67.

What was your first car?

For a Vanatic like me it had to be a custom van — a Chevy G20 with hot red interior, produced in 1985 with 5lt V8 engine. It was 1994, I remember the day — driving on the road to nowhere — pure happiness.

What else do/did you own?

It might be boring, but I had custom American vans. In my current stable, I have a 1979 V8 5.7 lt Chevy van, a 1897 Dodge Ram Van. I would like to have more vans but limited because of space and budget.

My family comes first place, my passion next. I’m really lucky because my wife Ifni loves to travel in our customised van with our daughters, Anielka and Gabriela. My wish is that my newborn son Daniel, using only hammer and screwdriver, will be able to mend most defects by himself in future in our classic vans.

Dream drive in dream location?

A few years ago, I drove alone 4,000 miles in New Zealand just in the regular rented car. My dream is to be back there again this time driving any American custom van (Chevy-Dodge-Ford) somewhere on southern Island between Dunedin and Invercargill and again feel the freedom and amazement.

Passenger you’d most like on a long journey?

My mum (she passed away many years ago); my nearest family, wife, kids; friends who are close to me in the best and worst moments. A long journey is like a good conversation, it is good to speak and to be heard.

Passenger you’d least like?

Anyone who is indifferent to what kind of car/van I’m driving. Someone who does not understand and does not even attempt to understand how simple and wonderful the power and roar of the good old V8 piston engine is and how good it feels to be captain of a real cruiser van.

What’s on your playlist?

All my life, I enjoy old-school straight-edge hardcore music — from classic, soul or rock’n’roll to jazz or blues or reggae music. Most recently, I’ve began to listen to Champion, Bane, Lowest, Primus, Defeater, Outspoken.