ENTRY CLASSES/CATEGORIES EXPLAINED
If you're reading this you'll already know that for 2025 we're introducing a new entry class/category for judging. We're not doing it to make it harder to enter or harder to win a trophy - quite the opposite, in fact. More classes means more winners and more smiles-per-gallon for our Nats.
To make absolutely sure everybody enters their cars into the correct category for judging, please use this guide to help you fill out your entry form.
-The Planning Team for NATS2025
Unrestored Original
NO CHANGES FROM PREVIOUS YEARS.
This category is for vehicles that have had no more than minimal restoration. This includes repairs due to accident damage or panels replaced as a result of rust repairs with sections repainted. The vehicle should be in ‘from the factory’ configuration. Era ‘pillar-bolt’ seat belts in pre-66 vehicles are not considered a modification as they were a dealer option. Engines will be a 149, 161, 179 or 186 Red Motor only (plus derivatives - X2 & 186S). Other ‘Dealer Fitted’ mods can include ‘Tilley Stripes’, air conditioning and multi-tone paintwork.
*Trophies will be awarded — 1st / 2nd / 3rd — for each model and body type in this Class.
Restored Original
NO CHANGES FROM PREVIOUS YEARS.
This category is for original vehicles, as per the Unrestored Original class, but fully restored or with more than a minimum restoration. This includes vehicles that have had a full respray, whether it’s ‘closed-door’ only or a complete tear-down respray. Engines will be a 149, 161, 179 or 186 Red Motor only (and the derivatives - X2 & 186S).
*Trophies will be awarded — 1st / 2nd / 3rd — for each model and body type in this Class.
Era Sports
NO CHANGES FROM PREVIOUS YEARS.
This category is for vehicles with 1960s-era performance focused modifications, including:
Engine mods allowed:
- Engines should be 149 to 202 Red (pre-Commodore only)
- Electronic Ignition w/ external module (pre-Commodore only)
- Yella Terra head
- Redline or similar intake manifolds
- Triple carbs - SUs or Strombergs
- Era Holley carbs - 2 or 4 barrel
- Era supercharger (e.g. Norman Type 110)
- Era induction modifications
- Extractors
floor shift 3-speed manual/auto
mag wheels - 13” & 14” only, 15” Volvo rims
Era gauges
Era sports seats
Gearbox swaps to era gearboxes (only up to 4-speed manuals unless proof can be shown that the gearbox was in an era-conforming vehicle).
HDs with HR front end panels and vice-versa
Other body mods adapted from other era-conforming vehicle/s.
*Trophies will be awarded — 1st / 2nd / 3rd — for each model and body type in this Class.
Modified
NO CHANGES FROM PREVIOUS YEARS.
This category is for vehicles running Holden Red, Blue or Black 6-cylinder engines (i.e. 149 to 202) with performance focused modifications above Era Sports. Alf Pagano’s ‘DONNA’ is a very well-known and perfect example of this class. Mods include:
Modern head (e.g. HSD- or JZED-type)
Non-era superchargers (e.g. Eaton M90)
Turbochargers
Non-era gearboxes (e.g. 5-sp/6-sp manual, TH700/4L60, etc.)
Modern wheels
*Trophies will be awarded — 1st / 2nd / 3rd — for each model and body type in this Class.
Highly Modified
NO CHANGES FROM PREVIOUS YEARS.
This category is for vehicles with performance focused modifications to engine, driveline and/or body above the Modified class. A prime example of this is Aaron Gregory’s ‘H3LLRZR’. Mods include, but are not limited to:
Engine swap to a non-Holden 6 (e.g. RB-series, 1JZ/2JZ, any V6 or V8, etc.)
Any turbocharger or modern supercharger mods
Nitrous-oxide and/or any other modern power-adding system
Mini-tubbed rear to accommodate race wheels/rubber
Upgrade to full chassis (e.g. 1-tonner ladder chassis)
Any other major chassis modifications
Race/track only, not road registerable
*Trophies will be awarded — 1st / 2nd / 3rd — for each model and body type in this Class.
Full Custom (incl. Rat Rod)
NEW FOR NATS2025!
The NATS2025 team are introducing this category to celebrate the Custom Culture of the past, for vehicles that have been modified for stylistic or aesthetic purposes rather than with a specific focus upon performance mods. Two very good examples of this would be Paul Murray’s ‘IRONMAN’ panelvan and Craig McKenzie's 'FATHR' ute.
Further, an entrant’s deliberate choice to emulate the ‘rat rod’ style – “a custom car with a deliberately worn-down, unfinished appearance, typically lacking paint, showing rust, and made from cheap or cast-off parts” - is also included in this class to recognise the effort those owners have made to create a one-of-a-kind car; and, to differentiate those vehicles from True Survivors/Rusty Relics. The key idea in the description above is ‘deliberate’, as rat-rod is an aesthetic style born of the SoCal hot-rodding scene and is definitely not just a ratty-looking or unfinished car.
Some of the things we’re looking for in this judging class include:
Custom paint jobs including:
- Candies
- Pattern-overlays
- Murals
- Pin-striping
- Air-brushing
- Preserved and/or artificial patinaAltered suspension height - fixed
Altered suspension height - variable or controllable (e.g. Airride)
Chopped roofline
Chrome, chrome and more chrome
No chrome at all (e.g. blacked out)
Non-era bodywork modifications or additions
No limits on any modifications
Anything else that contributes to a Customised car
*All models and body types will compete against each other for trophies — 1st / 2nd / 3rd — in this class.
True Survivor/Rusty Relic
ONE SLIGHT CHANGE FOR 2025 - RAT-style NOW INCLUDED WITH FULL CUSTOM
Think barnfinds and paddock bashers, daily drivers and rolling projects. This category is for those unfinished, properly rusty and much-loved survivor cars that may be a bit too-far-gone to compete in the other classes. You are welcome to display your vehicle on a trailer if that’s the only way you can get it to us, we want to see them all just as long as it’s in [mostly] one piece and it's not going to hurt anyone who gets too close to it.
Ultimately, if it looks like you’ve just driven it directly to the Show & Shine from a wrecker’s yard or your Grandad’s farm out west, this category is for you.
*All models and body types will compete against each other for trophies — 1st / 2nd / 3rd — in this class.