But the Holden Efijy is the real deal, says Stuart Milne. Especially with a thumping 645bhp engine under its curvy clothing.

I spent yesterday talking with Britain's most prolific custom car builder, Andy Saunders, who between showing me his incredible car collection, lamented the demise of radical vehicle designs.

And even though his ideas of how cars should look are rooted firmly in 1950s Americana, he's got a point.

In fifty years time, will there be guys spending hundreds of hours in a cold garage restoring a 1998 Toyota Corolla?

I think not.

So when Holden rocked up to the 2005 Sydney Motor Show and yanked the covers off its latest retro concept, I remember nearly wetting myself.

Built to commemorate the Holden FJ – which is to the Aussies what the Morris Minor is to the Poms – the Efijy looks every inch the retro space-age concept which we love.

The FJ of the 1940s might have been the first car made in Australia, but it didn't stop the designers going to town on it. With more chrome than the Fonz's jukebox collection, the FJ was an outrageously flamboyant machine.

And the Efijy is even more so.

Its stunning curves set it apart as an oasis of style in a world obsessed by plastics and the economic considerations which often blunt car designer's pencils.

The front of the two-door pillarless coupe is dominated by a huge 1940s chrome grille, but check out those headlights – just about the coolest ever.

And the back is even better, with the whole car coming to a sharp point and those wild, long rear LED tail lamps.

The doors pop open when the driver approaches. Who needs handles anyway?

Its automotive excess blends a 645bhp, supercharged six-litre V8 engine, adjustable shock absorbers and a modified Corvette chassis to create something more than capable of thrashing the pants off any opponents in a Grease-style street race.

The Efijy's interior is a homage to metal and leather, with a sensational steering wheel and the most incredible speedo/rev counter combo ever committed to car – and the floor shuns carpet for walnut veneer.

Pimp my ride? I'll say.

And if that wasn't enough, there's a drop-down LCD screen which provides the controls for the air suspension and hard drive-based audio and video system.

Almost two years after I first clapped eyes on the Efijy, I'm still utterly captivated, and although the need to use the toilet has diminished, it's still an utterly awesome piece of kit.

I'd just like to say 'thank you Holden' for restoring my faith in modern car design – even if it'll never, ever go on sale.