Imagine a 700-horsepower beast sitting dormant in a garage, its engine silenced after a thrilling but destructive burnout. This isn’t just any car—it’s Chris Bywater’s 1971 HT Holden Premier, a machine that embodies his passion for speed, craftsmanship, and the raw thrill of automotive power. First featured in the September 2012 issue of Street Machine, Chris’s journey with this car is as captivating as the vehicle itself. For the then 25-year-old auto electrician, 2012 was a year of milestones: he and his partner, Jess, welcomed their first child and purchased a home complete with a six-car garage. But amidst these life-changing events, Chris’s HT Premier remained his ultimate project—a testament to his dedication, even if it meant sacrificing sleep and savings.
Before the HT, Chris owned an LH Torana, a formidable machine with a nitrous-fed 383ci small-block. But when a spectator at Performance Car Mania offered him a deal he couldn’t refuse after witnessing his third-place burnout, Chris saw an opportunity. He sold the Torana and immediately set his sights on the HT Premier, eager to push the boundaries of what a classic car could do.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Chris didn’t just want a fast car; he wanted a masterpiece. Stripping the HT to its bare shell, he handed it over to Craig Brewer of Pro Pipes & Race Cars, a man known for his seven-second Pro Street HR van, Frogstomp. Under Craig’s guidance, the car underwent a transformation. The rear end was tubbed and fitted with a four-link setup, a nine-inch differential was shortened, and a six-point roll cage was installed for safety. The steering was upgraded to a rack-and-pinion system, and the body—remarkably free of rust or accident damage—was soda-blasted to perfection.
Chris’s brother, Adam, owner of Hi-Gloss Bodyworks, took on the task of smoothing the bodywork and engine bay. The result? A Mercury Silver exterior that gleamed like a mirror and an engine bay so immaculate it felt criminal to hide it under a bonnet. Every wire and auxiliary component was meticulously tucked away, creating a clean, artful space.
And this is the part most people miss: While the car’s aesthetics were flawless, its heart—a 468ci Chevy big-block—was sourced from an unexpected place. Craig Brewer, impressed by Chris’s vision, offered him the engine from his own van. This wasn’t just any motor; it was a proven powerhouse that had run low eights with nitrous and low nines naturally aspirated. For Chris, it was the perfect foundation for his 700hp dream.
With Summernats 24 as his deadline, Chris and his mates worked tirelessly to complete the build. Sleep and cash were in short supply, but the payoff was worth it. By late November, the HT was nearly ready. Chris couldn’t resist taking it for a spin—a decision he almost regretted when he attempted a power skid without a windscreen. “My eyes were throbbing,” he recalls, laughing.
The final hurdle came the day before Summernats when the billet steering wheel arrived—only to be incompatible with the column. After machining a boss kit well past midnight, Chris packed up and headed to Canberra. The HT’s debut was nothing short of spectacular, drawing attention and earning trophies in Tuff Street, including an Engineering Excellence award.
But the real question is: Was it all worth it? Chris’s answer is unequivocal. From packing seven friends into the bench seat during the Supercruise to burning through $600 in fuel and a set of rear tires at the pub, every moment was a celebration of horsepower and camaraderie. Yet, the thrill came with a cost. During the Ultimate Burnout Challenge at Avalon Speedway, the engine suffered a catastrophic oil surge, leaving the bottom end in ruins.
Now, with a new home and a fresh perspective, Chris is planning an even more powerful, louder, and faster engine combination. Will 2013 top the previous year? Only time will tell.
What do you think? Is Chris’s approach to building a car—sacrificing comfort and finances for sheer performance—something you admire, or does it seem excessive? Let’s debate in the comments!
