Under a project dubbed Kar Kulture, up to 18 young people of migrant, refugee and Australian-born backgrounds will fix up a car and hopefully build friendship and understanding.

The project's co-ordinator Adam Shaw, basing the concept on TV show Pimp My Ride, describes the car as the "tool" for bringing interracial harmony among youngsters unfamiliar to each other.

The intensive teamwork required to fix the car helps to build strong relationships, Mr Shaw says. There will also be sports activities and excursions to help with team-bonding.

He hopes the young mechanics learn of their "overlapping life experiences, whether it is the schools they attend, the suburbs they live in or their passion for cars".

"At the same time, they develop mutual respect and empathy for one another's differences."

The Commodore Berlina, donated by Hand Brake Turn, looks "OK on the outside" but there are a few cosmetic details and a lot of work required under the bonnet.

The team is supervised by a qualified mechanic and a youth worker from the South Eastern Region Migrant Resource Centre.

Once restored, the car will be used to train drivers for their probationary licence.

Mr Shaw has run similar group-bonding sessions for refugees in Jordan in the Middle East using basketball.

"Cars are not my area of interest but it's what a lot of kids are interested in," he said.

He hopes to run the 12-week program twice, starting this month and early next year.

Details: Adam Shaw, 0458090956 or

adams@sermrc.org.au.