Young gun Nicholas Grima’s LS2-powered EK Holden

With over 20 EK Holdens in the Grima family’s extensive collection, it was almost inevitable that 23-year-old plumber Nicholas Grima would carry on the tradition. Built in the early 2000s by a previous owner, Nick’s EK now packs an LS2, TH700 and nine-inch combo, and is finished in a custom colour very similar to Ford’s Citric Acid. If Nick’s name sounds familiar, that’s because his third cousin is also named Nick Grima, whose blue EK was a finalist in the 2025 Hare & Forbes Young Street Machine of the Year competition – that’s not confusing at all!

We recently caught up with Nicholas to get the inside story on his green meanie.

First published in the March 2026 issue of Street Machine

Nicholas was 13 when his dad, Paul, brought the EK home. “I fell in love with it straight away,” says the youngster. “It’s what really kickstarted my interest in old cars – I love working on them! These days, I like that it’s something that Dad and I work on together and connect over. Sharing this passion with him makes it even better”

Cool EK, Nick. How did you come to own it?

It belonged to my dad, Paul. It was his first old-school classic. Before this, he owned a VX ClubSport. He bought the car pretty much as-is back in 2013. The green stayed, but we quickly swapped out the stock 308 for a tougher version. Eventually, we wanted something with a bit more power, so we replaced it with a worked LS2, as well as a TH700 and a disc-brake nine-inch.

Nicholas is very fond of the old-school look, sticking with classic 15in Weld Racing wheels. However, his EK has benefited from the addition of some late-model technology in the form of a 420rwhp 6.0L LS2 from Edmargs Engine Reconditioning, plus a four-speed auto and four-wheel disc brakes

Sounds like you did a lot of the work before you even took ownership.

Yeah, pretty much. Dad and I would work on it together after school. Dad also picked up Shaun Horton’s old FB wagon (SM, Mar ’08) as a bare roller, which we built all new running gear for from the ground up. On top of that, I’m close to finishing a full restoration of a 1984 Kawasaki GPZ900R.

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So, you’re a hardcore car guy, then?

Through and through. Dad’s been a big influence. Without him, I wouldn’t even be talking to Street Machine, or have the car where it is today. We give each other heaps when working together. Plenty of swearing and banter, but it works. And there’s definitely more of that to come.

How did you convince your dad to part with the car?

I was 13 when Dad brought it home. I fell in love with it straight away. When he was about to start working on Shaun’s wagon, I told him I wanted to buy the EK, as it had so much sentimental value to me. I’d just finished high school and was about to start a trade, so taking it on felt like the right move.

Sydney’s Grima family are prolific car people, and this photo is from our November 2011 feature on part of the extensive clan. Many will recognise Laurie Grima’s red ’56 Chev, PRO NEAT, a two-time SM cover car and multiple Summernats Top 10 placer. Wayne Grima was SM’s Snap-On Apprentice of the Year in 2010, and his blue and black ’56 appeared on the June 2011 cover. Frank Micallef, who married into the Grima family, owns the blue FE (SM, Jun ’98)

MORE The Grima family – My Life With Cars

What is it about the Grima family and EKs?

There’s over 20 in the family; we sure do love them! It started with my grandfather, John, who had three, including a couple of new ones. My dad and his uncles all grew up around them and started buying them. In 1971, Dad’s uncle, Bill Grima, was one of the first in Sydney to do a V8 conversion. I once asked Dad why he’s so fixated on EKs instead of something like a Monaro. He said, “Because that’s the car my dad drove us around in when we were growing up, and not many cars are styled like the EK.”

What have you been doing with your EK?

I look for any excuse to drive it. Pretty much every weekend I’m out with friends and family; we’re all into cars and hit up loads of cars-and-coffees, Cars Under the Stars, and even doughnut runs to Krispy Kreme. It’s even picked up a few trophies along the way! Next year, I’m planning to take it to Summernats, Bathurst Autofest and eventually to Bright as well. I’ve also done some roll racing and drag racing in the old girl. The quickest I’ve run is 11.8 seconds on street tyres. I’m thinking about putting some semi-slicks on it, but honestly, 11.8 is more than enough fun for me.

As with the exterior colour, the old-school 90s interior has remained pretty much as-is from the original build completed by a prior owner in the early 2000s. That insert material sure is wild!

What do you like most about it?

It’s mad to drive – perfect for cruising. I love the sound. I also love owning a piece of Australian motoring history, something that’s meant to be driven, not hidden. I’m a big fan of the style and the colour – it’s unique and really stands out. Not many people my age are into early Holdens, so I enjoy talking about it and sharing what makes it sentimental to me.

What are your plans for the EK?

Being a 20-year-old build, a few imperfections are starting to show. Once the Kawasaki is finished, I’ll eventually strip the EK right down for a full refresh. I’ll probably stick with the same colour and the same old-school 90s look. But that’s a way off. For now, I’m just looking forward to enjoying the car as it is.

Be a young gun! Aged around 21 or younger and have a neat ride? Email high-resolution images (2mb+ each) and details of your car to gday@streetmachine.com.au.

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