i moved out of my mums house, she sold my hq ute for $600. sucks, cuz it had a rebuild 202 and a 4sp body was shot though. gf at the time parked it in the shed... literally
I grew up in one of these as a kid. My grandfather drove one installing clotheslines, cutting lawns, collecting odds and ends. I must have spent half my primary school years sitting in the back in the tray on top of rubbish and building left overs "so that they wouldn't fall off the back". Those HQ Belmonts did a million miles and were the heart and soul of Australia. They were worked hard and driven until they dropped or rusted to death, and like their drivers, they were tough as nails.
The ute looks great. Good that it came from up north in SA nowhere near as much rust as Adelaide cars. I live in the north west corner of Victoria. Well done.
I am a Ford Man, but how can you not love a HQ, they are cool as F!@k, particularly the HQ Coupes. Great video once again Mate, that old girl looked very cool.
Living in Melbourne I look forward to these videos every week. We haven’t been able to cruise at all for months on end and the enjoyment these videos have given my son and I have been a great help. Always loved the channel and I love it even more now !
In 1977, starting at the Gold Coast, a schoolmate and I drove right around the country on highway 0ne (excluding Tas; did that eight years later, different friend, different car) plus a visit to Uluru from Darwin. We drove a '72, 3-on-the-floor, cab/chassis version of this car with a homemade canvas canopy on the tray, a Yamaha 175 trail bike plus our other gear and a dog. We picked up a kitten in Darwin who rode in the cabin and finished the journey with us. He went on to live with me 'til he was 20 yo.The journey included thousands of klms of currugated dirt roads in the 14,500 ks approximate total. The ute never missed a beat throughout the 3 month saga; not even a flat tyre! Which was lucky for us because, at 17 and 18 yo, we were virtually clueless about vehicle maintenance. I don't remember ever even checking the tyre pressures! No wonder I haven't been able to win the lottery ever since; I think I used up all my luck in that one adventure!!
Its amazing what a difference a nice seat makes!! The ute turned out great and I don't think you did anything to it that was too difficult. You obviously know what needs to be done to take it from an old beater to a nice cruiser......it looked great in the end.
Enjoyed this one. You did just about all that could be done without completely starting all over again. Loved the wheels. The silver trim really made them.
Great episode mate! Nice to see a low budget, purchase to profit in 16 minutes. Sure it's not a full show stopping resto but you demonstrated the true meaning of "bang for buck!" As you said, someone can pick up the ball and go from there or just enjoy now. I have owned a few cars but never a Holden but the old Q has a nice front end and lowered with white walls well, very cool. Four wheel drums, small six and three on the tree, oh yeah! Not everything has to have a blown big block, costing a squillion.
Holden styleside utes of that era rust just about everywhere including underneath along the bulkhead behind the seats so apart from the bit of bog on the plenum it was a good find. Cleaned up pretty well,original belmont spec too,at least it used to be lol.
Thanks for this. So many memories of my own HQ Ute. I was fortunate to able to cast my own inside door release tabs, they always seemed to break so easily.
Great result Mark. The ute looked really good. You should be very happy with how things turned out. Your stuff is very inspiring. Thanks so much for sharing. Jules @ Jive Talking Garage
Hey Mark I really liked the cruising footage portion. A minute or 2 of footage just seeing the finished result cruising in action is really satisfying to watch. I think this episode was really well edited. Nice one.
Looks awesome! The kick panels you made look pretty spot on! At Better Auto Rubber in nerang on the Gold coast we manufacturer them frequently 😎 they exist!
i got an old 79 hz kingswood chasis cab model, would have liked the style side but this old car has its original motor and it was road worthy so im happy.
what a great. facelift shows folks what devotion to detail and a little time and energy can do to make your ride pop and look so much more respectfully to drive. CHEERS to your unproperly introduced girlfriend to us for being by your side and not being afraid to get her Hands dirty.girls like her few and far between, a keeper. Great video thanks again Bill in Fort Wayne Indiana USA
Great work reminds me of my HQ Belmont SW that I had in Perth in 1989 while there on a working holiday. Worked at Scarbrough Garage saved up enough cash to buy it of another work college mechanic. Great times.
gold .// wish i kept my hj ute it was a tidey ol girl and reliable I moved my shit from hervy bay in QLD to the rock in riverina NSW with it and drove it around fora few years after that
It came up a treat, would be cool to leave it as it with the exception of tough driveline! You've really stepped up the production value of videos Mark, really enjoyable!
Great work. Just wondering if this was 'Pommy John's' HQ from Coober Pedy! He died last year. He was featured on some youtube TV shows by Rebel Films. Good idea flipping the car. I had one for 20 years and kept buying panel vans to replace the rust in the ute's doors, guards and tail lights. You always find stuff under the seats when they come out. I bought a HZ panel van off an outlaw motorcycle club for $150 and the engine was mint, Repco refurbished and like new. I won't comment on what I found under the seats but it easily recouped my $150! Great work Mark and team, South Australia is leading the way right now for this great country. Hughesie - The Mallee
Great ep mate 👍🏻 amazing what can be done with a little foresight and some hard work. This one really did turn out cool! I don’t know how you part with them at the end haha
As an American I really like the Ranchero and El Camino but you just can't beat the visual appeal of an Aussie Ute 😎👍🇺🇸
True . The Australian ute keeps going if they're looked after, Holden Ute the best. HQ -HZ the best
This is the sort of shit I love. Turning paddock finds back into road going cruisers, all without spending mega bucks. I dig it. 👍
i moved out of my mums house, she sold my hq ute for $600.
sucks, cuz it had a rebuild 202 and a 4sp body was shot though.
gf at the time parked it in the shed... literally
I miss my telecom orange HQ Ute so much!
I grew up in one of these as a kid. My grandfather drove one installing clotheslines, cutting lawns, collecting odds and ends. I must have spent half my primary school years sitting in the back in the tray on top of rubbish and building left overs "so that they wouldn't fall off the back". Those HQ Belmonts did a million miles and were the heart and soul of Australia. They were worked hard and driven until they dropped or rusted to death, and like their drivers, they were tough as nails.
Good to see a nice old hq getting saved like the channel guys keep it up all the best west Aussie
Great job in saving an Aussie classic.
The ute looks great. Good that it came from up north in SA nowhere near as much rust as Adelaide cars. I live in the north west corner of Victoria. Well done.
Love seeing an Aussie legend being brought back to life, wish I was so lucky. Beautiful piece of motoring history
I am a Ford Man, but how can you not love a HQ, they are cool as F!@k, particularly the HQ Coupes. Great video once again Mate, that old girl looked very cool.
That HQ was in remarkable condition to start off with and you have made it so much easier for the next owner. Well done on a great job!
You are the master at turning Pig Shit into Strawberry Jam. Ute looks killer, wish I'd bought it! Nice work.
The Aussie wheeler dealers amazing.. these videos are way better than your usual stuff
I don’t want to do too much buying a selling 😔
Love the videos, Your a lucky man to have a lady who will get in and help.
This is great to see an Aussie show, awesome work. Thanks for creating these
I love seeing a car getting revived instead of being left in a field to rust, hq’s are a aussie icon and we need to hold onto as many as we can 🙌
Living in Melbourne I look forward to these videos every week. We haven’t been able to cruise at all for months on end and the enjoyment these videos have given my son and I have been a great help. Always loved the channel and I love it even more now !
Cheers John! I hope you and you lad can get cruising again soon!
Ah, finally a HQ. Great stuff mate. Love the channel
Love the old survivor look
Would love to see more treasures you have for autos down under!!
Good vid, the paint was a huge transformation
Hey Discovery Channel where are you? Sign this man and his crew up!
NOTHING BETTER THAN CRUZIN IN A CLASSIC AND AS THEY SAY ONE MANS TRASH IS THE OTHER MANS TREASURE..GREAT WORK GUYS ..SEE YOU ON THE ROAD...
What a change! That’s awesome
In 1977, starting at the Gold Coast, a schoolmate and I drove right around the country on highway 0ne (excluding Tas; did that eight years later, different friend, different car) plus a visit to Uluru from Darwin.
We drove a '72, 3-on-the-floor, cab/chassis version of this car with a homemade canvas canopy on the tray, a Yamaha 175 trail bike plus our other gear and a dog. We picked up a kitten in Darwin who rode in the cabin and finished the journey with us. He went on to live with me 'til he was 20 yo.The journey included thousands of klms of currugated dirt roads in the 14,500 ks approximate total. The ute never missed a beat throughout the 3 month saga; not even a flat tyre! Which was lucky for us because, at 17 and 18 yo, we were virtually clueless about vehicle maintenance. I don't remember ever even checking the tyre pressures! No wonder I haven't been able to win the lottery ever since; I think I used up all my luck in that one adventure!!
HQ came up a treat I liked the way you did your white walls on the tyres.
Loveing the easy builds your doing & Adelaide based cool as too man do more holden stuff
Its amazing what a difference a nice seat makes!! The ute turned out great and I don't think you did anything to it that was too difficult. You obviously know what needs to be done to take it from an old beater to a nice cruiser......it looked great in the end.
The HQ ute came up awesome good work love your channel guy's
The Ute came out looking pretty bloody good
Bloody mint work mate always like your projects and yous are all hand on and show what can be done with some good diy 👌
Great job on the Ute, love your work guys !
Sweet effort... id cruise in that for sure!
Enjoyed this one. You did just about all that could be done without completely starting all over again. Loved the wheels. The silver trim really made them.
Cheers mate
It is amazing what can be achieved in a small amount of time and the new owner can do some upgrades but still have a running driver. Well done.
That looks mint mate.
Great episode mate!
Nice to see a low budget, purchase to profit in 16 minutes.
Sure it's not a full show stopping resto but you demonstrated the true meaning of
"bang for buck!"
As you said, someone can pick up the ball and go from there or just enjoy now.
I have owned a few cars but never a Holden but the old Q has a nice front end
and lowered with white walls well, very cool.
Four wheel drums, small six and three on the tree, oh yeah!
Not everything has to have a blown big block, costing a squillion.
100%
I think I actually saw you advertise this on facebook and was very much considering purchasing it.
Holden styleside utes of that era rust just about everywhere including underneath along the bulkhead behind the seats so apart from the bit of bog on the plenum it was a good find. Cleaned up pretty well,original belmont spec too,at least it used to be lol.
Thanks for this. So many memories of my own HQ Ute. I was fortunate to able to cast my own inside door release tabs, they always seemed to break so easily.
You make all thses old rigs look balla man 💪🤌
Great result Mark. The ute looked really good. You should be very happy with how things turned out. Your stuff is very inspiring. Thanks so much for sharing.
Jules @ Jive Talking Garage
Hey mate your videos keep getting better and better, very inspiring 👌
Very impressive mate. I wanted that Ute and I’m a Ford fan.
Very well done,your wheel work is wonderful ,I really do think it is terrific. Good onya cobba !
Hey Mark I really liked the cruising footage portion. A minute or 2 of footage just seeing the finished result cruising in action is really satisfying to watch. I think this episode was really well edited. Nice one.
Cheers mate! I appreciate the feedback!
Looking the goods there mate. Your channel is very motivating I must say- great work!
That’s what it’s all about! Cheers
Looks fabulous Mark
The ute looks so good!
Nice job. Great result.
Saw this thing with my own eyeballs. Looked amazing. Well done Mark.
You did an awesome job cleaning the old ute up for a quick sale. It looks like a solid project vehicle.
Great work...
Haha I was going to say looks like something from coober Pedy where I grew up and now you're finding opals in there 🤣🤷♂️
You remind me of the greek father in my big fat greek wedding spraying everything with window cleaner and the HQ looks awesome
Looks awesome! The kick panels you made look pretty spot on!
At Better Auto Rubber in nerang on the Gold coast we manufacturer them frequently 😎 they exist!
Haha sorry, I meant they don’t exist on this particular car!
We used Better rubbers on the rear window install and also the pedals 👌🏼
Awesome stuff!! Hope they fit well 👌 love seeing our stuff in these videos!
I’ve used your stuff in a few of my videos.
Im open to working together if interested at all?
mark@theironempire.com.au
i got an old 79 hz kingswood chasis cab model, would have liked the style side but this old car has its original motor and it was road worthy so im happy.
Great work. This is fast becoming my go to/favourite RUclips channel.
Cheers mate
The ute came up sweet Mark👌 Love the low stance and the white walls looks killer👍 Keep up the good work
what a great. facelift shows folks what devotion to detail and a little time and energy can do to make your ride pop and look so much more respectfully to drive. CHEERS to your unproperly introduced girlfriend to us for being by your side and not being afraid to get her Hands dirty.girls like her few and far between, a keeper. Great video thanks again
Bill in Fort Wayne Indiana USA
I really enjoy watching your channel, keep it up 👍
Awesome build loved the build in the 1 episode awesome worked some magic there
Great work reminds me of my HQ Belmont SW that I had in Perth in 1989 while there on a working holiday. Worked at Scarbrough Garage saved up enough cash to buy it of another work college mechanic. Great times.
You wouldn't recognise Scarborough bch now if you visited now. I lived there in the 70s and 80s and visited recently. All modern and touristy now
@@psychedelicprawncrumpets9479 unfortunately every beautiful popular place has now changed for the worse at least we saw it at it's best great days.
More Australian classics, excellent
You done a sterling job on the old HQ Mark.👌
Well done, looks amazing end result. 👍
Can't beat a good Aussie ute. It's the law
Digged the edit of this one. Thanks for the ride along :)
Great result, looks wicked, love the white walling mint!!
This is awesome, great watch, cheers ✌🏽
gold .// wish i kept my hj ute it was a tidey ol girl and reliable I moved my shit from hervy bay in QLD to the rock in riverina NSW with it and drove it around fora few years after that
Hey if you don't like it I'll take it someday I'm going to Australia just to see some of the cool cars we missed out on
Amazing work!
Great video love the old utes I'm currently tidying up a vy ute gets more work done that's my project but I love the old utes . Like your work guys 👍
Mate, loved the final product. Would have made a great pigeon pare for my HG Belmont.
Love the HQ Ute. I miss my HQ premier one tonner project Utility.
I love bench seat cars. That would make a great Daily Driver
Love the Chanel just got Steve at stitches and sound to do my roof lining he did a killer job and I’m so happy defanatley would recommend him
Nice man!
Favourite episode this is really cool
Cheers mate! The quick ones are fun!
The 80's music and cleaning the Q took me back to the good days for a moment.. Thanks bruva
Glad ya enjoyed that 80s flavour
Hey, just found your channel. Love your work, awesome that you show what can be achieved with simple work ethic. Cheers mate.
Cheers mate
Nice turn around!
Good job mate, saved another one.
Wish I had your skills and talent, that Ute is a dream car of mine
Dude, old beaters like this are perfect to practice on!
It came up a treat, would be cool to leave it as it with the exception of tough driveline! You've really stepped up the production value of videos Mark, really enjoyable!
Cheers mate
Very cool, great job.
Top backing music bro, 1 of my favourite movies Thrashin.
Great pickup mate
Awesome vid, really cool to see how these gumtree specials look with a little time and effort 👍
makes me really miss my old ute =(
Good stuff Mark
Great work. Just wondering if this was 'Pommy John's' HQ from Coober Pedy! He died last year. He was featured on some youtube TV shows by Rebel Films.
Good idea flipping the car. I had one for 20 years and kept buying panel vans to replace the rust in the ute's doors, guards and tail lights.
You always find stuff under the seats when they come out. I bought a HZ panel van off an outlaw motorcycle club for $150 and the engine was mint, Repco refurbished and like new. I won't comment on what I found under the seats but it easily recouped my $150!
Great work Mark and team, South Australia is leading the way right now for this great country.
Hughesie - The Mallee
Cheers mate! Cool memories! No this car wasn’t owned by pommy John… haha it was an Andrew something
Love this channel bro
That turned out alright. Would love one like that to put a 350/400 in. Big cam, big exhaust. Would be sweet.
great episode
that hq looked boss
Best one yet! Love HQ’s
That ute look mint know 👍
Looking good
Came up awsome 🤙🤙
Great ep mate 👍🏻 amazing what can be done with a little foresight and some hard work. This one really did turn out cool! I don’t know how you part with them at the end haha
Loved this mate!
Great content.
Saved that car
Awesome job on that bro.
Great video, you got a new sub out of this
Welcome mate, cheers