383ci small-block Chevy, MSD ignition, Holley 750DP carburettor, polished Weiand intake manifold, Pacemaker headers, Aussie Desert Cooler radiator
383ci small-block Chevy
Manualised TH350 with high-stall converter
Pedders Shocks with King springs
9" diff with 3.5:1 gears
HQ disc brakes (front), WB Holden disc brake (rear)
Intro Retro billets, 19x8in & 19x10in
It quickly became GM-H’s greatest success story as it sold over half-a-million examples in a three-year run, and also weaved itself into Aussie hearts as an icon of 70s Australia.
The second-generation of the Kingswood platform was a huge departure from the prior HK-HT-HG range, with the conservative styling and slab-sides replaced with Coke-bottle curves and dramatic American-inspired styling cues. Along with all new, better-engineered underpinnings, a low-slung ride height, and dramatic new colours, the HQ range was a sensation. From the base model Belmont to the Monaro muscle car and the top-spec Premier, HQs felt intrinsically Aussie, so it’s easy to see how so many are loved more than 50 years later
Jamie brought this ’71-vintage Premier back from a sad, dilapidated state to the clean street machine you see here, starting with a fire-scarred wreck bought from its original owner for just $400 more than 30 years ago. This was Jamie’s second HQ, replacing a rusty’74 HQ he’d been driving, as the ’71 Premier was replete with a factory 253ci Holden V8 instead of his ‘74’s 202ci Holden “red” six-cylinder.
Jamie soon treated the ’71 HQ to a fresh paint job and swapped the interior from his ’74 HQ into the new car. It was then enjoyed as a near-stock classic for almost a decade before the Trimatic auto failed and gave cause to give the Premier a ground-up rebuild in 2001. After a disappointing run with one shop who had the car for 7 years, Jamie’s love for the HQ still burned bright and so it was rebuilt at a second workshop over 3 years as it evolved from a tidy classic into a ground-pounding street machine.
While certain HQ models could be optioned with the imported 350ci Chevrolet small-block V8, Jamie upgraded his Premier with a thumping 350ci Chevy V8 stroked out to 383ci, along with a stronger Turbo 350 automatic and Ford 9-inch diff. The sedan was also tidied up with another respray, a freshly retrimmed interior, and a detailed engine bay.
It was finally back in action, being driven, showed, and loved for another 13 years, until time wore it down and the third rebuild began. It takes a special bond with a car to undergo the expense and challenges of a rebuild, let alone doing it three times in three decades, but such is the draw of Holden’s evergreen HQ series.
HQs were never renowned for their handling, so Jamie upgraded his with a set of Pedders shock absorbers and King springs, while four-wheel disc brakes improving the stopping power. The colour has been changed to the rich two-pack copper that suits the Premier’s top-spec stature, while the wheels have been updated to give modern performance while matching the HQ’s classic lines.
While some prefer smaller-diameter wheels, Jamie chose a contemporary look for his car with a set of Intro Retro billet wheels. Spanning 19×8-inches up front and 19×10-inches out the back, the low-profile tyres improve handling while the girthy 10-inch-wide rears offer far more grip than the standard 185-wide tyres and 14-inch wheels could.
Jamie’s HQ may not be a showroom-stock classic, but it is a perfect example of the passion and love Australians carry in their heart for Holden’s HQ-series models. No matter what is happening on a given day, one drive of a classic like Jamie’s can instantly take you to a different time, as you relish the hard work and dedication required to undergo such rebuilds.
This build isn’t just a story – it’s part of our national brand campaign celebrating the people, cars, and culture that define what it means to be an Enthusiast
