Past Winner Spotlight: Dakota Morgan’s 1969 Holden HT Ute
Dakota Morgan from Queensland is now the proud owner of this absolute weapon, a 1969 Holden HT Ute, valued at $140,000. This isn’t just a cruiser, it’s a serious build that packs a punch and stands out from the crowd.
Under the bonnet sits a 350 cubic inch Chevrolet small block fitted with Dart heads, a hydraulic roller camshaft, Scat forged conrods, and CP forged pistons. The bottom end is built tough with an LT1 Corvette crank, ASR race pan, and a Melling oil pump.
Fuel delivery is sorted with Bosch 1650cc injectors and a Holley 1800 pump, while cooling comes from an alloy radiator, twin 10 inch Spal fans, and an electric water pump.
The intake is handled by an Edelbrock EFI manifold with a Wilson throttle, and the ignition is powered by an MSD system. Exhaust gases are expelled through custom manifolds and a twin 3 inch system that gives this Ute a serious note.
It’s turbocharged too, running twin GTW turbos paired with Turbosmart wastegates and blow-off valves, all controlled by an Autronic SM4 ECU.
Putting that power to the ground is a Powerglide transmission with a 3500rpm Dominator converter, and a Strange Engineering diff housing and centre with 3.00:1 gears, Truetrac, and 35 spline axles – built to handle the grunt.
The suspension and brakes have been dialled in for street and strip duties, with King springs and 50/50 shocks up front, and Calvert mono-leaf springs, nine-way adjustable shocks, and CalTracs bars out back. Stopping power comes from Wilwood discs and calipers up front, and Strange Engineering drums in the rear, with a Wilwood master cylinder tying it all together.
The Ute sits on tough Weld AlumaStar wheels, 17×4.5 up front with M&H 185/45 tyres, and 15×8 double-beadlock rears with M/T Street Radials sized 255/60 out back.
Inside, it’s a perfect mix of classic and race ready with a bench bucket in Goya Red GTS theme, B&M shifter, Autometer gauges, and a roll cage with removable side intrusions to keep it safe and compliant.
This HT Ute is the perfect blend of classic style and modern turbocharged muscle, and Dakota Morgan is no doubt turning heads and tearing up the streets wherever he goes.
Congratulations to Dakota Morgan, another past winner rolling in a true Aussie classic built for speed!
