On this week’s episode of Aussie Garage, we take you deep inside one of the most jaw-dropping builds to ever roll out of a home shed – Happy’s HQ Holden 1 Tonner. This isn’t just any build. It’s a Summernats Grand Champion-winning machine with a backstory as good as the ute itself.
Happy first got his hands on the HQ back in 2004, when it was nothing more than a hardworking tradie ute, purchased from a mate. For a few years, it served as a daily driver, before Happy decided to give it a tidy-up. But what started as a minor rebuild quickly spiralled into something much bigger – a full-blown dream project that would span over a decade.
With countless hours in the shed, support from his dad, and help from mates like Lurch at Lurch’s Fabrications, Happy turned this humble Tonner into a masterpiece of custom engineering and pure muscle. And when we say custom – we mean everywhere you look, there’s something to admire.
Under the Skin – Built for Looks and Performance
The heart of this beast is a monstrous F2 ProCharged 406ci Small Block, paired with a Turbo 400 transmission and a custom sheet-metal 9-inch diff built by Final Drive. The chassis has been heavily modified – narrowed 7 inches on each side at the rear to accommodate those epic Billet wheels: 18×15 on the back and 18×7 up front.
Under the tray is a maze of performance tech: a trans cooler, a water reservoir, and a cooling system for the water-to-air intercooler – all integrated with show-quality precision. A custom drop tank finishes off the rear end exactly the way Happy envisioned it – sleek, practical, and mean.
The four-link rear setup means this ute isn’t just for show either. Happy’s got plans to take it down the strip, proving it’s got the go to match the show.
Inside the Cabin – Function Meets Fabrication
The interior is just as impressive. Gone is the original dash – replaced with a custom-fabricated dash and glovebox setup. Tucked underneath is that monster water-to-air intercooler box, an engineering marvel all on its own. The cabin is wrapped in full leather, complete with harnesses and a roll cage, ensuring it’s track-ready with style.
The Man Behind the Machine
Happy isn’t stopping with this HQ – he’s got a shop full of projects and ideas, ready to bring more killer rides to life. He’s the kind of car builder we love to showcase at Aussie Garage: passionate, skilled, and unafraid to chase a dream that others would call impossible.
From a simple daily to a show-stopping, strip-ready weapon – Happy’s HQ Holden 1 Tonner is a true Aussie success story. It’s proof that with vision, persistence, and a bit of help from your mates, you can build something legendary right in your own shed.
Catch the full episode now on Aussie Garage TV and don’t forget to subscribe for more real car stories from real Aussie enthusiasts.
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