50 Years of Gears & Glory

Words by Fritz Moschitz | Photos courtesy of Mal Wood Automotive

Fifty years. Half a century. It's an impressive milestone for any business, but in the notoriously tough independent automotive game, it's downright legendary. Back in 1976, a 21-year-old Fitter and Turner named Mal Wood took a punt. Guided by his old man, Jim, he bought a modest workshop up in Warwick. Fast forward five decades, and Mal Wood Automotive isn't just a local fixture—it's a national powerhouse in transmission and driveline engineering.

Starting out as General Engineering Services, Mal cut his teeth welding, machining, and fabricating everything from trailers to cattle crushes. But it was cars that really got his blood pumping. Gearboxes, clutches, and drivelines weren't just parts; they were mechanical puzzles begging to be solved. Before long, his true calling took over, and Mal Wood Automotive was born.

It was a family affair right off the bat. Weekends were spent with his brother Brian, stripping, rebuilding, and flipping cars. Brian handled the panel beating; Mal took care of the mechanicals. That hands-on grind gave Mal an unbeatable, ground-up understanding of what makes a car tick. Behind the scenes, Mal’s wife Lynne was the bedrock. Balancing a growing family while Mal pulled massive hours in the shed, their partnership was the engine room of the business’s longevity.

As the decades rolled on, Mal became the go-to guru for complex mechanical hurdles, building a formidable reputation in drivelines and transmissions. This expertise forged an unbreakable bond with TREMEC Transmissions. Today, Mal Wood Automotive proudly stands as an official Elite Distributor, holding one of Australia’s largest arsenals of genuine TREMEC gear. They don't just shift parts—they know them inside out, offering rebuild kits, performance conversions, and custom setups that others wouldn't dare touch.

By the early 2000s, even the big boys came knocking. Ford Motorsport manager Howard Marsden called on Mal to sort out transmission gremlins in the XR6 and FPV F6 Typhoon. Mal engineered the fix, specifying the very driveline ratios that ended up in the production six-speed manual F6. Getting the nod from Marsden and motorsport royalty like Craig Lowndes proved Mal’s influence stretched far beyond Warwick.

But the innovation didn't stop at gearboxes. Mal engineered ingenious hydraulic under-dash clutch pedal assemblies that solved notorious fitment headaches in classic muscle cars. The world took notice. Enter MalWood USA, a sister company spearheaded by Ross McCombs and Cherielyn Westrich over in Iowa. Pushing Aussie ingenuity into the massive American aftermarket, they even snagged a coveted SEMA Award in Las Vegas in 2024.

Despite having a global footprint, the heart of Mal Wood Automotive is still beating strong in Warwick. The next generation is already chipping in. Mal’s Sons Robert and Daniel are occasionally seen in the workshop helping out, while daughter Nicole handles operations, ensuring the family legacy keeps humming. Mal’s son-in-law Nathaniel, has worked under Mal for 12 years and is the foreman in the workshop, putting all this learnt into action. A family affair despite its grand undertakings.

To celebrate this monumental 50-year milestone, the crew is throwing a massive public bash on July 18 at Morgan Park Raceway. Expect a killer show-and-shine, live music, special guests, and a track cruise. Doors swing open at 10:00 with a gold coin donation to charity upon entry. Fifty years on, Mal Wood Automotive is more than a workshop. It’s a legacy of curiosity, grit, and family—built one gearbox at a time. Catch you at the track!

DON’T MISS THE CELEBRATION!

18 July at Morgan Park Raceway, QLD.

To celebrate their 50-year milestone, the crew at Mal Wood Automotive are throwing a massive birthday bash on
18 July at Morgan Park Raceway. Expect a killer show-and-shine, live music, special guests and a track cruise.
Gates open at 10:00AM, with public entry by gold coin donation to charity.

JUST CARS will proudly participate and supply a year’s magazine subscription to one lucky attendee!