This article on Grant’s HQ wagon was originally published in the August 2018 issue of Street Machine magazine

For custom car fans, Grant Mahoney’s extensively modified HQ Holden wagon is a welcome blast of fresh air in this era of obsessive nut-and-bolt restos. Not that Grant is totally adverse to restorations: “My previous project was a matching-numbers HX Sandman panel van,” he says. “So I couldn’t stuff around with that too much, could I?” he laughs. “So I figured I’d sell that and get stuck into my dream custom wagon.”

Following the factory bonnet lines, the subtle scoop rises to 65mm-high at the rear. Other major surgery includes pumped rear guards and those swoopy guard flutes. The stock filler was deleted and a sedan fuel tank and flip-down number-plate filler fitted. The rear side blinkers have gone too. The front end is smoothed out with a custom-built grille and filled bumper slots

The project started not with a car, but with a pair of HQ guards. “I was staring at the guard flutes on the Sandman and thought I could do better,” says Grant. “I was bored after finishing the HX, so I got some guards and made my own flutes. Then I needed a car to bolt them to!

“I’d been planning this car for years – it’s all the things I wanted to do when I was 18,” Grant says. “All these ideas have been spinning around; the wagon is almost exactly as I first imagined it.”

Neat touches in the rear include Grant-made tinted tail-light lens covers, drop tank cover and deleted rear window winder. Grant also polished all the glass with cerium oxide and a felt rotary pad before assembly.

Grant grew up watching his dad Bryan fix and flick cars that he’d bought at auction, and of course he played around with cars himself too. Then adult stuff took over. “I had company cars, had kids, worked to get us to where we are,” he says. “And now I’m into cars again!”

The rear features chromed cargo strips and is finished in a maroon deep-pile carpe. Grant built a curvy enclosure in the rear to hide the audio gear and fabbed some classy speaker grilles to let the sound out

The HQ was bought only a couple of years ago for a mere 300 bucks. “It was in a backyard out at Reservoir,” Grant explains. “The family had had it from new and it ended up being used as a parts car. The mum eventually wanted it gone so she could grow more tomatoes. I saw it on Gumtree, thought it deserved a second chance and grabbed it.”

“The inner guards were roughed out by a mate who makes barbecues,” says Grant. “Then I made cardboard templates, fixed them into position with Cleco pins and got to work. The gum tree in my front yard copped a hiding – who needs an English wheel!”

The wagon was little more than a bare-bones shell, and Grant set about resurrecting it in his humble two-car garage with glee. After some rusty floorpans were replaced, the body was pulled off the chassis and wire-brushed back to bare metal, strengthened with HZ braces, modified to suit Grant’s airbag plans and coated in satin black.

The body went up on jack stands and Grant spent more than a few weekends flat on his back so that the undercarriage could be tidied up in a similar manner to the chassis.

To get the extra-low stance he was after, Grant raised the trans tunnel and boot floor. The rear end was mini-tubbed so he could get the rubber sitting just where he wanted it.

Grant put a huge chunk of time into metal fabrication under the bonnet, including the inner guards, radiator support cover and heater blank-off plate. The battery and washer bottle were banished to the rear, the wiper motor chromed and polished and all unused holes in the firewall filled. The billet bonnet hinges are from Bliss Custom Machining

The fitment of the airbag system was planned with military precision. A cradle supporting the twin air tanks, compressor and electronics drops into the underfloor area. All this airbag gear shares space with the battery, spare wheel and windscreen washer bottle. What if he gets a flat battery, you ask? Grant ran a couple of girthy battery cables to the front and set up a jump point for emergency or maintenance charging.

The ZZ4 350 crate motor breathes through an Edelbrock Air-Gap intake and 650 carb, both resplendent in Edelbrock’s EnduraShine finish. “My vision was to have the engine appear to be floating in the bay, with the wiring concealed,” Grant says

Plenty of thought and effort went into the interior, too. The bum-holders are four WB seat frames with the headrests removed, split by a full-length custom centre console. The dash is also WB, although heavily modified and fitted with a carbonfibre-look cluster and Speed Hut gauges.

“The interior colour is buckskin,” Grant says. “Anyone can do black. For the outside I also considered a few colours – green, orange – but I decided on this lovely burgundy. It’s a classic combination that’s sort of inspired by prestige European cars. It’s the colour I had in my head when I was 18.”

The HQ’s bluff dash has been replaced with the bones of a WB-series item, running Speed Hut gauges. A nice nod to the past is the retention of the 70s-era electric window switches – they look so much cooler than billet ones – and the shifter is a B&M

Grant is proud of the fact he did most of the work at home, modifying and prepping the body to the stage where it was ready for a final block-down and paint, those two tasks taken on by Adam at Hi-Gloss Bodyworks in Knoxfield using DeBeer paint in that lovely Merlot Pearl Metallic.

Just about the only other task he farmed out was some trim work to Croydon Motor Trimming. “I can’t sew a stitch,” Grant admits.

The wagon runs four WB Stato-based bucket seats and is registered as a four-seater. The full-length console houses cup holders and power window buttons

The driveline is pretty simple. Up front is a detailed-to-the-max Chev crate motor that runs to a TH400 auto and a nine-inch diff with 3.25 cogs and a Truetrac limited-slip centre.

The sensational HQ wagon has racked up 3500 kays since it was finished last summer, doing exactly what Grant built it to do: cruise. “Why would you build a cool car and then not be able to drive it?” he reasons. “It keeps me off the street and out of trouble. And the wife always knows where I am!”

PANEL SHOW

Grant’s previous project was an awesome Sandman panel van (below) that he restored. “I redid that one from scratch,” he says. “It was a blitz of a project – 11 months and 22 days from beginning to registration, and that included about five months getting painted! It was a full chassis-off, ground-up rebuild. When I get into building a car, I’m possessed!”

The Papaya-painted, 308/four-speed Sandman won third overall at the Victorian State Van Titles, and it has scored well with its new owner too.

Sold to free up space and funds for the HQ wagon project, the cool pano now lives in Newcastle – an appropriate home given the beachside port city’s surfie heritage.

GRANT MAHONEY
1972 HQ HOLDEN KINGSWOOD WAGON

Paint: DeBeer Merlot Pearl

ENGINEBrand: 350ci Chevrolet V8 ZZ4 crate motorInduction: Edelbrock 650 carb on Edelbrock Air Gap intakeHeads: AlloyExhaust: HPC-coated extractors and 2.5in system
Ignition: GM/Chev HEI

TRANSMISSIONGearbox: TH400Converter: Pro Converter 3000rpm
Diff: 9in, 3.25:1 gears, Truetrac centre

SUSPENSION & BRAKESFront: AccuAir airbags, Koni shocks, drop spindlesRear: AccuAir airbags, Koni shocks, modified floor
Brakes: HQ discs and calipers (f), VR/VS discs and calipers (r)

WHEELS & TYRESRims: Intro V-Rod; 17×8 (f), 17×10 (r)
Rubber: Kumho; 215/50/17 (f), 245/45 (r)

COMMENTS

Keyword: Grant Mahoney's custom HQ Holden wagon

CAR'S NEWS RELATED

Five cars named after worldly winds

Car names often are inspired by unique and exotic places, things and people.

View more: Five cars named after worldly winds

From the Classifieds: 1986 Holden VL Commodore Berlina cabrio

Ultra-rare show car conceived as part a failed 1980s product experiment could be yours for less than you think

View more: From the Classifieds: 1986 Holden VL Commodore Berlina cabrio

Morris switches to Triple Eight Holden for Super2

Nash Morris will steer a Triple Eight Race Engineering-built Holden Commodore ZB in his second season in the Dunlop Super2 Series Nash Morris has switched from Ford to a Triple Eight Holden as he embarks on his second season in the Dunlop Super2 Series. Morris will drive the ex-Jack ...

View more: Morris switches to Triple Eight Holden for Super2

1976 Holden HX Premier

Top-of-the-line model for the HX Holden was the Premier. Delivered new 2nd November 1976 by Nash Holden Lakemba, built with a 253 V8 and Tri-Matic gearbox, painted in GMH Contessa Gold metallic with tan vinyl roof over tan and cloth interior, The HX is symbolic of the all Australian family ...

View more: 1976 Holden HX Premier

1969 Holden Hurricane

Built in 1969, by GM’s Australian division Holden, the Hurricane was an advanced research concept vehicle designed “to study design trends, propulsion systems and other long range developments.” 1969 Holden Hurricane | © Favcars.com The Hurricane stood just 39-in tall and was powered by a mid-mounted, high-compression 5.0 liter Holden V8 ...

View more: 1969 Holden Hurricane

Holden 350-powered VK Blue Meanie tribute

If you look back at peak 80s Holden muscle, HDT’s VK SS Group A – popularly known as the Blue Meanie – is bloody hard to top. Mark Spiteri certainly agrees, which is why his own VK weapon offers a blend of HDT originality, huge levels of howling Holden grunt, ...

View more: Holden 350-powered VK Blue Meanie tribute

Ultimate EH Holdens: Twin-turbo Godzilla-powered Premier + V8 Crewman custom

One sensational road car is usually challenge enough for most of us, but Sydney fitter/machinist Luke Johnson jangles the keys to two jaw-dropping EH Holdens – one with twin-turbo Nissan Skyline GT-R power, the other with an injected Commodore V8 in a self-built dual-cab body. First published in the August ...

View more: Ultimate EH Holdens: Twin-turbo Godzilla-powered Premier + V8 Crewman custom

Ash & Gary Low's Holden LX Torana & HZ Kingswood

It is like they always say: like father, like son. For Gary Low and his son Ash, using old-school six-pot power to upset the V8 crowd is a family tradition – one that has seen the birth of two stunning street machines. This article was first published in the August ...

View more: Ash & Gary Low's Holden LX Torana & HZ Kingswood

Harrop-blown LS3-powered FJ Holden

Twin-turbo Holden VH SS Commodore

Trilogy: Peter FItzpatrick's FC Holden

2017 Holden Astra owner review

2014 Holden CRUZE owner review

The Holden Ute/Pontiac G8 ST Is the Modern Chevy El Camino That Could Have Been

Market Insight: Mazda, Kia fill Holden legacy

Is this what the 2025 Holden Commodore might have looked like?

Van Gisbergen sees off championship-winning Holden

Holden swansong ends in super style

Mostert leads Holden one-two in Adelaide race one

Review: 2014 VF Holden Ute SS-V Redline

OTHER CAR NEWS

; Top List in the World https://www.pinterest.com/newstopcar/pins/
Top Best Sushi Restaurants in SeoulTop Best Caribbean HoneymoonsTop Most Beautiful Islands in PeruTop Best Outdoor Grill BrandsTop Best Global Seafood RestaurantsTop Foods to Boost Your Immune SystemTop Best Foods to Fight HemorrhoidsTop Foods That Pack More Potassium Than a BananaTop Best Healthy Foods to Gain Weight FastTop Best Cosmetic Brands in the U.STop Best Destinations for Food Lovers in EuropeTop Best Foods High in Vitamin ATop Best Foods to Lower Your Blood SugarTop Best Things to Do in LouisianaTop Best Cities to Visit in New YorkTop Best Makeup Addresses In PennsylvaniaTop Reasons to Visit NorwayTop Most Beautiful Islands In The WorldTop Best Law Universities in the WorldTop Richest Sportsmen In The WorldTop Biggest Aquariums In The WorldTop Best Peruvian Restaurants In MiamiTop Best Road Trips From MiamiTop Best Places to Visit in MarylandTop Best Places to Visit in North CarolinaTop Best Electric Cars For KidsTop Best Swedish Brands in The USTop Best Skincare Brands in AmericaTop Best American Lipstick BrandsTop Michelin-starred Restaurants in MiamiTop Best Secluded Getaways From MiamiTop Best Things To Do On A Rainy Day In MiamiTop Most Instagrammable Places In MiamiTop Interesting Facts about FlorenceTop Facts About The First Roman Emperor - AugustusTop Best Japanese FoodsTop Most Beautiful Historical Sites in IsraelTop Best Places To Visit In Holy SeeTop Best Hawaiian IslandsTop Reasons to Visit PortugalTop Best Hotels In L.A. With Free Wi-FiTop Best Scenic Drives in MiamiTop Best Vegan Restaurants in BerlinTop Most Interesting Attractions In WalesTop Health Benefits of a Vegan DietTop Best Thai Restaurant in Las VegasTop Most Beautiful Forests in SwitzerlandTop Best Global Universities in GermanyTop Most Beautiful Lakes in GuyanaTop Best Things To Do in IdahoTop Things to Know Before Traveling to North MacedoniaTop Best German Sunglasses BrandsTop Highest Mountains In FranceTop Biggest Hydroelectric Plants in AmericaTop Best Spa Hotels in NYCTop The World's Scariest BridgeTop Largest Hotels In AmericaTop Most Famous Festivals in JordanTop Best European Restaurants in MunichTop Best Japanese Hiking Boot BrandsTop Best Universities in PolandTop Best Tips for Surfing the Web Safely and AnonymouslyTop Most Valuable Football Clubs in EuropeTop Highest Mountains In ColombiaTop Real-Life Characters of Texas RisingTop Best Beaches in GuatelamaTop Things About DR Congo You Should KnowTop Best Korean Reality & Variety ShowsTop Best RockstarsTop Most Beautiful Waterfalls in GermanyTop Best Fountain Pen Ink BrandsTop Best European Restaurants in ChicagoTop Best Fighter Jets in the WorldTop Best Three-Wheel MotorcyclesTop Most Beautiful Lakes in ManitobaTop Best Dive Sites in VenezuelaTop Best Websites For Art StudentsTop Best Japanese Instant Noodle BrandsTop Best Comedy Manhwa (Webtoons)Top Best Japanese Sunglasses BrandsTop Most Expensive Air Jordan SneakersTop Health Benefits of CucumberTop Famous Universities in SwedenTop Most Popular Films Starring Jo Jung-sukTop Interesting Facts about CougarsTop Best Hospitals for Hip Replacement in the USATop Most Expensive DefendersTop Health Benefits of GooseberriesTop Health Benefits of ParsnipsTop Best Foods and Drinks in LondonTop Health Benefits of Rosehip TeaTop Best Air Fryers for Low-fat CookingTop Most Asked Teacher Interview Questions with AnswersTop Best Shopping Malls in ZurichTop The Most Beautiful Botanical Gardens In L.A.Top Best Mexican Restaurants in Miami for Carb-loading rightTop Best Energy Companies in GermanyTop Best Garage HeatersTop Largest Banks in IrelandTop Leading Provider - Audit and Assurance In The USTop Best Jewelry Brands in IndiaTop Prettiest Streets in the UKTop Best Lakes to Visit in TunisiaTop Highest Mountains in Israel