Past Winner Spotlight: Ian Pattinson’s 1974 Holden HQ GTS
Ian Pattinson from Victoria took home an absolute monster of an Aussie street machine with this 1974 Holden HQ GTS, valued at $150,000.
This HQ GTS is a no expense spared build, combining raw muscle with the toughness to back it up. Under the bonnet sits a powerhouse that defines the term “TUFF.”
The engine in this beast is a 540 cubic inch big block and features a Dart Block, AFR heads for maximum flow, a Hydraulic roller cam and shaft rockers for bulletproof valvetrain performance, and is all controlled by a Holley Sniper EFI system delivering precise fuelling along with a 6.86 inch Holley dash mounted on the column, putting vital data front and centre.
Power is sent through a transbraked Powerglide built to handle all the torque, along with a TCE converter for serious launches.
Out back, it’s got a Shortened 9 inch diff with a Strange centre and 3.5 gears, containing a TrueTrac limited slip with 35-spline axles, built to take the punishment.
It rides on 17×4.5 Weld V-series front wheels, 15×10 3.5 inch backspace Weld Vitesse rears on a fat 295/55 radial tyre for maximum grip and street presence.
Braking and Suspension are dialled in with Wilwood front brakes and master cylinder providing serious stopping power, whilst Front adjustable coilovers give the perfect balance of stance and handling and a Tubbed rear end with chassis strengthening and Altra 9 adjustable arms allow a monster tyre and the perfect geometry to tie it all together.
The Exhaust system consists of Custom 2 1/4 inch pipes and twin 3.5 inch system stepped down to 3 inch after the diff and 4 mufflers ensuring a deep, authoritative note.
Inside, the all new black longrain trim with houndstooth inserts is a nod to classic HQ style with a modern finish.
This HQ GTS puts down an earth shaking 800 horsepower and 720ft/lb of torque on pump 98, making it one of the toughest street machines you’ll find anywhere.
From the tubbed rear end to the Holley Sniper EFI up front, Ian’s HQ GTS is built to be driven and to dominate. A huge congratulations to Ian Pattinson, our past winner now enjoying this truly iconic Aussie muscle car!
