HOLDEN enthusiast Craig Eldridge has built a highly modified street machine with the help of some of the most professional tradesmen in Bathurst, hardly giving a thought as to what it might have cost him over 17 years.
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The man who takes pride in building kitchens for a living said he and many others with automotive projects in their mind or on a drawing board, are lucky to have so much talent when it comes to getting assistance with restorations.
In his case Craig bought a 1972 HQ Holden from Rick Scarborough when he ran a business from the South Bathurst Service Station.
Craig said thes HQ Holden was originally a silver car, but now it is what could be termed Statesman maroon.
“While the car has a HQ body, it is now highly modified with lots of add ons,” Craig said.
“The design of the car is something I’ve always had in my head, moving on from the original to what I’ve got now.
“The original car had a bit of rust, it’s first motor was a 305 five litre almost worn out when I got the car, so I had it rebuilt.
“Now the 305 is gone, replaced by a 383 Chevy Stroke motor with turbo, 400 gearbox with nine inch diff.”
Craig credited the restoration of the engine
of the HQ to the expert, Adam Cope, who Craig said has done just a great job.
Just as another professional, Ross Porter has with the muffler system of the car, that has been registered since 2005.
“All of the interior has been restored, right down to window rubbers,” Craig said.
“A feature is a GTS dash with all of the interior work done by Andrew Brown of ABX Trim.
“The completed project has a HZ front end with twin headlights, all on HQ body.
“There have been a lot of add-ons in the rebuilding of the car, you could say its been fully rebuilt, brand new. And the cost’s probably $40,000 over the years.”
Needless to say Craig looks upon his treasured HQ Holden as a weekend car. During the week he’s behind the wheel of a Hi Lux.
