Michael’s coupe a classic

By Marc McGowan
TO SAY that Narre Warren East television personality Michael Dascoli lives and breathes cars would be a huge understatement.
Mr Dascoli, who hosts Channel 31’s highestrating program, Rodder’s Life, has been obsessed with the fourwheeled machine since his youth, an obsession that owes much to his older brother, John, and … Elvis.
“My older brother was really into cars. I used to cruise around with him in his EH Holden,” he said.
“I suppose my passion started at an early age; watching the Elvis movies in the early 60s and 70s, just that era of cars, and Happy Days.”
Mr Dascoli has restored hundreds of classic cars over the years but his pride and joy is his 1940 Ford Coupe Deluxe, which he bought in 1979 for about $6000, and is complete with his ‘BITCHN’ numberplates.
“It was just an old car – it wasn’t going,” Mr Dascoli, who is a panel beater by trade, said. “What I liked most was the shape and it had a really big boot on it.”
It did not take long for his Coupe to be transformed into one of Australia’s rarest vehicles when the hot rod enthusiast purchased a Chrysler 426 Hemi engine a year later. Production of the engine ceased in 1971, but he was able to gain access to one from a friend.
It is all part of the gratification Mr Dascoli receives from restoring vehicles.
“I suppose the way to put it is you are building a car from the ground up, and when you are driving down the road, there is a sense of satisfaction – of accomplishing something,” he said.
“It is a really good feeling. It makes you feel good about what you’ve done. A lot of rodders are introverts as people but extroverts with their cars.”
It is this appreciation for the work that goes into the creations that led to Rodder’s Life.
“Having seen all these talented people over the years, I wanted to give some recognition to these people,” Mr Dascoli said.
“The sport (car restoration) is an equaliser between man and woman – anyone can do it. I believe it’s one of those sports that keeps you off the streets and out of pubs. It’s a really constructive lifestyle.”