Holden HQ GTS

[Cool Hand]

This build is a special one to me as its inspired and my interpretation of local car that was one of my favourites  back in day during the late 90's. And its the reason I like Holden HQ sedans. I only manage to get one picture of it from a local event. 

My memory of it is pretty vague, but il never forget how it did sound and look. The engine was a fully worked 350 Chev with a Jackson Gear drive, big stall convertor and 4:11 gears. If you know you know. 

So its absolutely great to have DDA Collectibles manufacturing the Holden HQ's as plastic kits. Ever since the kit was released ive had the idea for this build. Just took time for all the pieces of puzzle to align and fall into place before I was ready to make it a reality.

After using this colour on another build, I knew it was going to be perfect for the HQ.

 

I remember the interior being black, and it having a mega shifter so I sourced something similar from Texas 3D Customs . I dont like the front vinyl seats that come with the kit. So I got a file from Black Box and 3D printed new front seats. Mr Finishing Surfacer 1500 black was the perfect solution for the look of black vinyl upholstery and the floor carpet is Tamiya XF-1 flat black.

Had to modify the transmission tunnel to clear the aftermarket transmission. That can be seen in my Lead City Customs build thread

I 3D printed the steering wheel, the file was from Black Box.

 

Main feature of the 1:1 car is the wheels. They were Dragway Pro Wheels but there is none available in scale. So similar wheels that I have always liked are Weld Racing Draglites so I sourced them and the BFG T/A tyres from Morries Kustoms and I 3D printed. Wheels are painted with SMS paints Hyper Chrome Cold Tone.

Headlight surrounds, bumpers, wipers, door handles, side mirrors, rear vision mirror and exhaust tips were all painted with SMS paints Hyper Chrome Dark Tone. BMF for trim and grill surround trim.

The kit has the Holden 308 engine, so that was replaced with a 350 SBC which was sourced from Texas 3D Customs. But the air cleaner supplied with that engine was too tall for the engine bay, so I replaced with one I found in my parts stash, no idea what its from. Had to do a lot of cutting, modifying and build a new fire wall to fit the aftermarket engine. That can be seen in my  Lead City Customs build thread

Air filter and valve covers painted with SMS Hyper Chrome Dark Tone

I 3D printed the distributor and coil.

 

And finally with typical rev-head bogan behavior, have to put the stockies/steelies on to do some burnout outs. Cant afford to be shredding BFG T/A's 😄

 

Edited 4 hours ago by Cool Hand

[Zippi]

Yup....that's a looker right there Luke.  That Tamiya Pure Red looks Super sharp and the clean detail work in the business end looks mighty fine.  👍 

[Phildaupho]

Very well built and attractive.

[ea0863]

Fantastic build Luke! Your interior and engine compartment are just as great as the exterior of this beauty!

[STU111]

There’s solid proof right there that these DDA kits build up very nicely. Razor sharp foil work and glass like paint are just two things I like about this HQ. Excellent work Luke,👍🏻 that’s inspired me to try and get more bench time and crack on with my HQ. Also mate, any idea what happened to the original car that inspired this build? 

[ncbuckeye67]

That's pretty awesome!

[michelle]

awesome work mate on this aussie classic 
 

[Jim N]

Looks great!  Very stunning.

[BK9300]

Good back story and a fabulous job on your HQ - beautiful!

[espo]

Beautiful paint finish and color. Like the detailed engine and interior. 

[pulln4dejr]

Wow! I’ve never seen a 4 Door Holden only a few Holden/GTO’s. Nice job.👍🏻 

[karbuildr]

I don't know anything about Aussie vehicles but I do know I really like this build. Looks great in red and the engine compartment is very well done.

[bh1701]

An excellent job on an unusual kit!

Bart

[bondo bill]

sharp build

[Doug 1061]

Beautiful work there.  Reminds me of a Franklin Mint die cast.   Also that is some top notch photography.  

[Cool Hand]

Thank you very much to all who commented.

 

15 hours ago, STU111 said:

There’s solid proof right there that these DDA kits build up very nicely. Razor sharp foil work and glass like paint are just two things I like about this HQ. Excellent work Luke,👍🏻 that’s inspired me to try and get more bench time and crack on with my HQ. Also mate, any idea what happened to the original car that inspired this build? 

Thanks Stu, with a bit of effort they build up great out of the box.

Hope my build can motivate and inspire you to do work on your HQ, been waiting to see an update.

I built 7 of them 😄 

No idea what happened to 1:1 car after he sold it. Havent spoke or seen the guy who owned for years. But I think it might have  ended up in Adelaide. 🤷‍♂️

 

2 hours ago, Doug 1061 said:

Beautiful work there.  Reminds me of a Franklin Mint die cast.   Also that is some top notch photography.  

Thanks Doug, the plastic kit is based of a die cast version, DDA shoot plastic through the diecast mould. 

Always try my best to take good pictures of my models as it helps to showcase the details of the build to viewers.

I like to present it in a way the looks like something you would see in the magazines

Edited yesterday at 07:56 AM by Cool Hand

[Darbo]

Fantastic build Luke, love the paint

[XYHARRY]

G'day Luke, your HQ's are always a treat. That red really works well. The blacked chasers in the last photos is a cool touch. I'm hoping to start mine soon, just waiting for a set of DDA 5 spoke wheels/low profile tyres. Really well done mate.

This will be my inspiration car.

 

[Cool Hand]

Thanks Andrew and David.

 

On 7/29/2025 at 7:36 PM, XYHARRY said:

I'm hoping to start mine soon, This will be my inspiration car.

Look forward to seeing a wip of your build David.

That 1:1 is tidy, good stance and wheels, that bright red'ish orange looks killer. Great inspiration.

[Cool Hand]

On 7/29/2025 at 2:42 AM, michelle said:

awesome work mate on this aussie classic 
 

Thanks @michelle hope to see you build a Valiant Charger street machine one day.