I've seen something similar during my apprentiship at Tony Packards at Castle Hill. A customer wanted a Calais Turbo wagon, so they built one out of a turbo wagon, complete with the different front, dash and steering wheel, alloy wheels, paint outs, badgework, and interior. I cannot remember how they got around the rear seat design/trim issue but like the rest of the vehicle would have had to be custom done.

I guess it would have been interesting later on to sell it as a Calais (8VX) model number where the compliance plate would have been 8VL.

Funny you should mention Suttons Chullora Rob, that is where my grandparents bought their ute( much to the chagrin of a certain couple of other family members), had it pulled down and changed to suit their needs to travel around the country with (they bought a slide-on camper at the same time in 1975).

When was your friend there?