This episode of Famous Last Words features George Vidovic – a true pioneer of Australia’s custom automotive scene and a name synonymous with performance, precision, and passion.
From the 1980s through the early 2000s, George became widely recognized for crafting and selling some of the finest Cobra replica sports cars in the country. Operating out of his iconic Python Vehicles Australia workshop in South Melbourne, George turned his love of motorsport into a thriving brand that drew car and bike enthusiasts from all over. His shop was a mecca for performance machines, known for its engineering excellence and innovation.
“It all started when I went to the drive-in movies with some mates,” George recalls. “And in flashed this amazing blue sportscar — lo and behold it ended up being a Shelby Cobra. That cult movie was Gumball Rally, an iconic 70’s movie.” That moment lit the spark that would define a lifetime.
George’s passion led him to the racetrack, where he founded Python Racing and built the legendary #98 Python Cobra — a car that went on to claim multiple Victorian Sports Car Championships, cementing his legacy in Australian motorsport history.
But building Cobras in Australia wasn’t without challenges. “Unfortunately in Australia, you have a set of guidelines you have to follow – they are quite extreme ADRs,” he explains. “The powers that be expect builders and constructors to follow design rules that are made for multinational companies, not independent constructors. They want 21st century guidelines put into a 1960’s vehicle.”
One regulation that stands out to George: “I’ll give you an example – there is a percentage of wiping on a windscreen that must be done. So in a Cobra, they force you to run three wipers because two don’t wipe enough of a percentage of the windscreen. And I can list 100 more.”
Despite the bureaucratic battles, George’s love for all things automotive never faded. “I’m a car guy at heart,” he says. “Whether it’s a Bentley Continental or a 1932 Rat Rod, if it breathes gasoline and goes on four wheels – I love it.”
In this episode, we delve deep into George’s obsession with speed, starting from his early days tinkering with engines, to racing success, to his current adventures in the U.S. classic racing circuit. Now spending more time stateside, George continues to chase adrenaline behind the wheel, having competed in prestigious events like the Classic Daytona 24 Hour and Sebring 12 Hour Classic.
We’ll also talk about some of his most remarkable builds, including his immaculate McLaren M6B Can-Am car and the 550+ horsepower Shelby Cobra replica he built for none other than Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher. “One of the guys comes in and says, ‘George, you better get out here – the Ferrari guys are here.’ Lo and behold, there’s Jean Todt in my shop,” George laughs.
Podcast host Glenn Ridge quipped, “George wore white cowboy hats before white cowboy hats were cool,” a nod to his confident style and maverick approach.
When asked about the value and restoration of vintage race cars, George is refreshingly honest: “You gotta remember, they were racing these cars back in the day. They didn’t know they were going to be worth money after all this time. So when people say, ‘That’s not right,’ or ‘That’s not original,’ well of course it’s not, mate – it ran into a wall at Laguna Seca in ’60 and a wall at Donington in ’71, and so on.”
If you’re into fast cars, bold dreams, and the people who bring them to life, this conversation with George Vidovic is not to be missed
You can listen on your favourite Podcast platform here
https://famousinsurance.com.au/podcast-with-glenn-ridge/
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