Chris Bywater, a 25-year-old auto electrician, completed the custom build of his HT Premier. This project followed a significant year for Bywater, which included the birth of his first child and the purchase of a home featuring a six-car garage.
Project Commencement
Bywater acquired the HT Premier after selling his previous vehicle, an LH Torana, following a successful burnout competition. He aimed for a higher performance level with the HT Premier and initiated a full strip-down to a bare shell. The car was then taken to Craig Brewer of Pro Pipes & Race Cars for chassis modifications.
Chassis and Bodywork
The rear end of the vehicle underwent tubbing and received a four-link suspension system. The nine-inch differential was shortened, and a six-point rollcage was fabricated and installed. The original steering box was replaced with a rack and pinion unit. An inspection revealed the 42-year-old body was in excellent condition with minimal imperfections, rust, or accident damage.
Bywater's brother, Adam, proprietor of Hi-Gloss Bodyworks, was responsible for the bodywork, including straightening and smoothing the body and engine bay. The car was painted in Mercury Silver.
Engine and Assembly
Bywater sourced the engine, a 468ci big-block, from Craig Brewer's van. This engine had previously achieved low eight-second quarter-mile times with C16 fuel and nitrous, and low nine-second times aspirated. Bywater aimed to complete the HT for Summernats 24. The final assembly phase involved intensive work with assistance from friends, concluding in late November.
Prior to Summernats, Bywater conducted a test drive, which resulted in a power skid without a windscreen. The final component, a billet steering wheel, arrived the day before Summernats and required machining to fit.
Exhibition and Performance
At Summernats, the HT Premier received an Engineering Excellence award and additional trophies in the Tuff Street category. Bywater participated in the Supercruise, utilizing the car's bench seat for seven occupants. Following the event, an outing in Melbourne incurred significant fuel and tire costs.
During a subsequent event, the Ultimate Burnout Challenge at Avalon Speedway, the car experienced oil surge, leading to a connecting rod failure and damage to the engine's bottom end. Plans are in progress for a new engine combination, expected to be more powerful.
Vehicle Specifications
- Color: De Beer Mercury Silver
- Engine: Chev big-block, 468ci
- Heads: Brodix aluminium
- Inlet: Brodix single plane
- Cam: Solid roller
- Rods: Manley
- Crank: Forged
- Pistons: JE dome tops
- Ignition: MSD 7AL
- Exhaust: 2¼in primaries, 4in collectors, twin 3½in system
- Transmission: Powerglide
- Converter: TCE 5200rpm
- Differential: Strange 9in, 3.7:1
- Brakes: BA disc (front), Wilwood disc (rear)
- Suspension: Pedders springs, 90/10 shocks (front), Koni coil-overs (rear)
- Rims: Weld Magnum, 3½x15 (front), 10×15 (rear)
- Rubber: Dragstar (front), Hoosier Quicktime Pro (rear)