Building a car to be unveiled at a marquee show like Meguiar’s MotorEx takes years of patience, determination, sacrifice and dedication. For Jordan Lord, however, the motivation for completing his HQ Premier project wasn’t car-show glory but simply a burning desire to make the sedan better than what you’d normally find out the front of your local on a Saturday arvo.

First published in the August 2024 issue of Street Machine

“I never wanted a show car; I just wanted a tough streeter I could put the boys in and cruise down to the pub, and then run a flat-nine on the quarter-mile,” the Sale, Victoria resident explains. “The Premier is a street car, but I wanted it to be built with all the best parts and done as well as it could be done, which is how we ended up here. I always wanted a big-block HQ sedan with a Turbo 400, nine-inch, tubs and a really good interior.”

What surprises many is that this more-door is actually Jordan’s first big build. He’s been around cars since the very start, with his grandfather, uncle Dave and dearly missed dad Jason bringing him into the car enthusiast fold. “My old man had HQ Prems with small-blocks in them, and he even had a One Tonner with a Larry Perkins engine and a tilt front,” he says. “I always loved HQs, but I always wanted one with a big-block.

Jordan got his chance to fulfil that wish when he saw this Prem for sale in Corio in northern Geelong. “I took a mate and my dad with me to look at it, as it seemed honest but was expensive. It had a good body, and there was a bit of rust in the usual spots, but it was registered, so I drove it to work for a year, as I was happy to have an old-school car.”

The build got underway with PSIDUP Fabrications engorging the rear end to swallow 295 rubber, before the shell came home to be mounted on a jig to allow for rust repairs and acid-dipping. However, tragedy struck not long afterwards.

“Probably two weeks before we sent the car to the paint shop, my dad passed away,” Jordan explains. “He knew a lot more about this model than I did, like tips on how to pull trims off and things like that, so he helped me a lot. When he passed, there was a lot on; we had his funeral on a Tuesday, my sister’s wedding on the Saturday, and then I had to get on a plane to Tassie for a fortnight for a break. I came back with a clear mind and decided if I was going to build a car, then I was going to push it as far as I could go.”

Rise Up Restorations handled the shell, ensuring it was smoothed and ready for the House of Kolor Organic Green candy. Jordan had no question over what colour he wanted for his ’Q; he just needed to find the right shade. “Originally, the Premier was Monterey Green with a brown interior,” he says. “I like keeping cars similar in theme to original, so we kept it green and with a brown interior but with a twist. Also, something that always stuck with me is from Running on Empty: ‘Green is nice’.”

PROPRM certainly has the wood under the reverse-cowl bonnet to put the wind up Fox’s Dodge Challenger. Nyes Racing Engines in the USA kitted out a 582ci Merlin big-block Chevy for the HQ featuring a Callies Compstar crank and rods, JE forged slugs running 10.5:1 comp, and a Comp solid-roller cam. Up top are big-breathing Dart Pro1 alloy heads, an Edelbrock Victor manifold and a 1050cfm Quick Fuel carburettor, although Jordan is planning on switching to a Pro-Filer intake and 1250cfm APD carb. Pump unleaded is used for street cruising, but 109-octane VP Racing Fuel will get the call-up for track time, as Jordan has also equipped his HQ with 400hp worth of nitrous.

On just under 100hp of gas, the big-inch brawler made 912hp on the engine dyno, and Jordan is hoping for around 1100 at the treads when all the nitrous is turned on.

Ethan from Kings Motorsport Wiring did a stellar job hiding the wiring needed to run a 1000hp combo while still making it serviceable for future upgrades or alterations.

Jordan knew he’d need a serious transmission to handle all the neddies from the head-kicking big-block, and he had just the man for the job. “I went straight to Paul Rogers for a TH400, so it and the tailshaft are 2000hp-rated,” he says.

That kind of reliability was a key concern throughout the build; Jordan isn’t telling porkies about PROPRM being a street car. “It’s a six-seater for a reason,” he laughs.

However, before he can cruise the Quey with his mates or run that nine on track, Jordan wants to knock off a few more show appearances while the car still boasts its fine shine from Jimmy Allen of Fatal Finish Detailing.

“It was a huge push to make MotorEx 22 in May, where we unveiled the car,” Jordan says. “Jimmy was meant to have the car for five days, but it ended up being there for two weeks and he sorted so many little problems for me, so I cannot thank him enough. We took home a Superstars Finalist award from MotorEx, although, to me, unveiling a car and seeing it loved by so many was a trophy in itself.

“I’m still in shock every time I open the shed and see it sitting there finished. After the countless days and nights spent in the shed ticking things off the list and getting everything perfect, it is an amazing feeling.”

We’re sure the whole family would agree with you, Jordan, and we can’t wait to see what you decide to build next.

JORDAN LORD
1974 HQ HOLDEN PREMIER

THANKS
Rise Up Restorations; Sale Motor Trimmers; PSIDUP Fabrications; Fatal Finish Detailing; Kings Motorsport Wiring; Dan’s Enclosed Towing; Con at Pro Race Engines; Nyes Racing Engines; Castlemaine Rod Shop; OC Billet; Bliss Custom Machining; Race Radiators; Shaun’s Custom Alloy; 679style; my uncle Dave, my grandfather and my friends and family; thanks especially to Dad, even though he’s not here with me.