01/05/2026
HOT ROD FRIDAY!
Your eyes are not deceiving you.
This week’s spotlight is on Jonny’s 74’ HQ 1 Tonner Ute.
Jonny is one of our superstar parts salespeople, specialising in the Diesel rebuilds, fuel and turbo side of things. He’s also a top bloke, but don’t tell him that or he’ll get a big head.
This HQ has been part of the family for a long time. “It was my dad’s mate’s car. Then when his mate won Lotto, he gave it to him in the late ’70s.”
Back then, it was sky blue and still had the commercial front on it.
“I learned to drive in it when I was 8 or 10 years old,” Jonny says.
From there, his Dad drove it for a while before it eventually became the farm wood car. Years later, when his Dad got too old to drive it, he was going to sell it.
But Jonny couldn’t let it go to just anyone, so he bought it off him to keep it in the family. By that stage, it was pretty rough, so the transformation began.
Originally a 253, it now runs a 304 that the boys slapped together for a burnout car. Somehow, it’s the engine that just won’t die, and it has been through a few of the boys’ cars over the years.
The combo includes:
304 V8
VN heads
Roller rockers
750 double pumper, “too big,” Jonny laughs
Aussie 4-speed
Sadly, Jonny’s dad passed away during the build, but the Ute was finished just in time for his funeral.
Since then, the HQ has gone on to be used as a wedding car for Jonny’s daughters and now holds a massive amount of sentimental value.
Some cars are more than just cars.
This is one of them.
Rest in peace Joe “John” Whyte.
