Hi Guys and Gals,
Im currently in the planning and mocking up stage of building a 1974 HQ Holden-1954 Austin A40 Somerset custom sedan. Whats happening is well I was building a 253 powered HQ Belmont ute but I had also planned on doing something with the Austin so hey why not combine the 2 cars into one. I plan on widening the body and grafting in the firewall and floor section from the HQ to the Austin, I know its a lot of work but it keeps me at home. Using the HQ front chassis clip with custom made rear chassis rails either crafted to the front section or maybe separate like the HQ sedan and you know the rest, HQ V8 diff with drum brakes, 253 motor, M21 gearbox, VP Commodore disc up front, VP rack and pinion steering, 14 x 8'' rims. I haven't made my mind up yet and further talks with the engineer is needed to work out the rear end set up maybe a 4 bar setup or leaf springs or even the original HQ sedan setup mounted to the custom made chassis.
Question - Does any one know what grade steel was used in the HQ Chassis rails and I know nothing of the HQ sedan setup but does the rear end setup come like the front complete removable chassis section or is the chassis moulded into the floor sections.
Any help or comments would be greatly appreciated.
Cheerio
Owen.

Owen

HQ-WB front chassis section off a sedan/wagon/statesman/coupe is identical to that of the ute/van/tonner. All Holden did was made a chassis rear section for the ute/van and welded it to the front half, making the commercial vehicles a full chassis

The V6 TH700 won't fit behind a 253. But you can make a V8 one fit by either using an adapter plate, or getting the gearbox bellhousing modified. If the engine is a HJ or later you can also have the engine bolt pattern changed, but you can't do it to a HT

Normally I would say no. But it depends upon how much clutch slippage you're prepared to put up with, especially when carrying a load. In a light car this is fine. In a Holden commercial towing/carrying a load it's disasterous.