HIGH DISTINCTION
WAGON, CLASSIC-MEETS-MODERN WITH HIS STUNNING LITTLE-LOVED HD HOLDEN TROY STAPLETON TAKES THE TOP OF THE CLASS FROM LAUGHING STOCK TO
Dat school who blossomed into O YOU remember the awkward chick was bullied by the ‘in’ crowd a supermodel? Or the nerdy guy that their pay cheques? Well a but is now the buff billionaire signing many formerly forgotten Aussie similar ‘time to shine’ has come for our modern-day car scene is classics, as evidenced by the variety cornerstone Monaros, Toranas, offering up as eye candy. Sure, the but have their place – and rightly so – Falcons and Chargers will always to find, folks are exploring different with raw project fodder getting harder common bodystyles and models, be options and spinning gold from less Japanese descent. they of Aussie, American, British or in reasonable numbers over the years, The HD Holden has been modified they’ve long been perceived as the including a few standout builds, but immensely popular EH and HR. Let’s third wheel jammed between the HD: Being the model to replace the be honest, it was a tough gig for the while the HR rectified the perceived lauded EH was always going to suck, dubbed ‘Highly Dangerous’, and thus shortcomings of the model the media earned all the plaudits. when offered this HD wagon six years But Troy Stapleton had no qualms delay. That netted him a pretty honest ago, grasping the opportunity without for a set of 13-inch Dragways. But old jigger, stock inside and out save to hide its fair share of body gremlins. the paint was pretty sad and bound of different hands, but never “It had spent a few years in a number for a young fella and was initially keen progressed. I had an HR sedan as to relive my youth,” the now 49-year-old an EH or HR to do up – you know, in the HD.” Troy laughs. “But we could see potential who is a car guy to the core and the The ‘we’ is Troy and his brother Dale, it not only found the wagon and gave driving force behind this build; Dale the project and was a huge help with to Troy, but guided the direction of the actual hands-on work. 50-year-old wagon bare and held The brothers began by stripping the the crusty layers of paint, bracing their collective breath when removing to lie beneath. themselves for what sins were sure “There was a small patch of rust “It was nearly mint!” Troy marvels. here and there, but the HD was in in one guard and a few minor dings which is definitely not how the cookie better nick after removing the paint, how good it really was, which usually crumbles. The old layers masked was a nice change!” sorted, Troy got down to brass With the body soon tweaked and this often-arduous task to be fairly tacks choosing a colour. He found of options laid out for him by default. straightforward due to having a sea week looking at cars – thousands “I’m a truck driver, so I spend my working caught my eye and whittled it down of ’em. I just took note of what colours from there.”
THE PAINT, WHICH THE HD WAS IN BETTER NICK AFTER REMOVING CRUMBLES. IS DEFINITELY NOT HOW THE COOKIE USUALLY IT REALLY WAS THE OLD LAYERS MASKED HOW GOOD
the BF Falcon charts, a turquoise An early front-runner was Breeze from because of how it popped in metallic hue that made the cut specifically that it suits Troy’s HD perfectly. the afternoon sun, and you have to agree evident in BF Falcon guise is An unexpected bonus that was never with old-school chrome and how amazing the shade looks partnered his magic with the brightware stainless. Troy had Kevin Harnell weave when the HD hits the streets. to ensure maximum visual stimulation neat body and paint by relying Troy wasn’t comfortable risking that Dale swapped out the standard on factory underpinnings, so he and discs at the rear, the latter drums for HQ front discs and Commodore the banjo diff with a 3.23-geared proving advantageous when replacing received fresh bushes throughout, VR Borgwarner unit. The suspension coils and springs, while UC Torana along with lowered King heavy-duty the con vent i on alHD re circulatingball rack-and-pinion steering replaced assembly. came to light: “I was happy It was at this time that Dale’s true intentions and brakes regardless, but Dale to upgrade the steering, suspension well drop aV 8 in her now ,’ and that dropped the old: ‘Well you might as was that!” Troy laughs. old-school influences into the build, Troy was keen to incorporate some the go, quickly sourcing a donor and decided that a carbied 308 was keep the project’s momentum going. engine and Trimatic transmission to specs, ensuring reliability and The red 308 was rebuilt to mainly factory livened up via a Crane 286 cam, driveability, but performance has been
an Edelbrock a generous bump in compression and intake topped with a Holley 750. around the Dale-built extractors tuck in snugly twin running gear, while the Hooker-mufflered are the system and custom single-exit tailpipe The Trimatic handiwork of Spot On Performance. fronted with a transmission was shift-kitted and TCE 3000 stall converter. inspired Coys 17-inch five-spoke rims were Dragways, by and pay homage to the original widths but measure in at seven- and eight-inch 255/50 Nitto and are shod in 215/55 and rubber respectively. thought and Wagons by design require far more options, and planning when it comes to interior perfect balance the inside of Troy’s HD strikes the the concept between simplicity and impact. He likes
I WAS HAPPY TO UPGRADE THE STEERING, SUSPENSION AND BRAKES, BUT THEN MY BROTHER DALE SAID: “YOU MIGHT AS WELL DROP A V8 IN HER NOW”
and viceversa, of mixing dark exteriors with light interiors the seats and so he had Dean Mchugh stitch metal surfaces surrounding trim in cream vinyl. All to match, while and the steering wheel were painted and black buckskin carpet and factory-style chrome most appealing detailing help create one of the seen in years. and fresh street interiors I have gauges A Hurst shifter and a pair of accessory and were nestle between the HD Premier buckets, to complement included as modern concessions gear. the upgraded drivetrain and running is more than With the hard work behind them, Troy no future plans stoked with the end result, and has “I can’t wait other than to clock up plenty of miles. fun at the local to get out and drive it and have some Sunday driver cruises and shows,” he says. “It’s the I was always hoping for.”