In the build: HZ Tonner, LS2-swapped HQ, ’79 Mustang Cobra, RA40 Celica race car + HT GTS Monaro

We check out some of our readers’ project cars in the works, from the October issue of Street Machine

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David Perks
Holden HZ One Tonner

“I have owned my 1978 HZ One Tonner for around 25 years; it used to be my daily driver.

“Around 10 years ago, I tore it down to the chassis, and after painting it, I replaced every nut, bolt, bearing and bush. I then swapped out the stock guards for fluted ones, bolted up a Premier front end, and built the tray and rear guards from scratch.

“I pulled out the six-cylinder/manual combo and replaced it with a 5.0-litre injected motor and TH700 ’box, with a Salisbury diff rounding out the driveline.

“After doing the cam, lifters and timing chain, I removed the manifold and injection and went with a carby set-up instead. Polished extractors and a custom exhaust system finish off the sound. Dropped axles and lowered suspension has it sitting right, and the new Showwheels rolling stock has completed the Tonner’s look for me.

“I’m looking forward to getting the paint finished and then starting on the interior!”

Kyle Ingram
HQ Holden

“My HQ Kingswood has been sitting in the garage for almost seven years, but I only started working on it a year ago.

“It now runs an LS2, backed by a TH400 transmission and a Rod Shop shortened diff and four-link. Other additions include a Rod Shop front clip, Wilwood disc brakes and a Haltech ECU.

“I’ve done all the work myself except for the bodywork, which my mate Jack James Bodyworks is doing in his garage.

“I’m thinking the paint will be Juniper metallic green, and I hope to have the car on the road by the end of the year.”

Brad Pais
Holden HT Monaro

“This is my HT GTS Monaro, which I’ve owned since 2020.

“So far, it’s had over 600 hours of metal fab work and is currently at the Cre8tive Edge panel beaters. Eugene at Flowcraft has almost finished the engine, and I’m hoping to have it all ready for next year.”

Jack Houlihan
1979 Ford Mustang

“I bought my ’79 Mustang Cobra from late Sports Sedan legend Bob Gill. It’s been in Australia since near-new; somebody decked it out with fibreglass flares and a red porno interior in the 80s, which are my favourite bits of the car!

“I’m replacing the tired emissions engine, C4 and highway-geared single-pegger with a mild (for now) 302, TR3550 five-speed, and 8.8in diff with a Truetrac and 3.7s.

“I’ve been collecting lots of period-correct accessories, including an early Saleen wing, 15in Enkei wheels with big dish, Stewart Warner gauges and a Panasonic roof console.

“With manual steering and coil-overs, it should be a fun thing to cruise through the hills.”

Sean Basford
Toyota Celica

“This 1979 RA40 Toyota Celica coupe is a race-car build I’m putting together here at Bluewire Automotive. It will run a quick 18R-G GT twin-cam four-cylinder and a BEAMS six-speed gearbox.

“So far, it’s been fitted out with a custom-made, Motorsport Australia-approved rollcage and pedal box; the coil-overs and NOS TRD suspension are the next things to install.

“It will also run Haltech and Raceworks appliances. When finished, it will be a replica of the 1979 Peter Williamson Celica – the first Bathurst car to run an in-car race cam.

“The plan is to have it ready to race in the 2025 Improved Production Racing Association of Australia season.”


Got a sweet ride that’s currently in the build and want to share it with our readers? Email photos of it (2MB+ each) along with some details on the build to [email protected].

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