Is it a Kingswood, or a Belmont? The silver is Wheel Silver Metallic code 522-17216 (have seen it with a 526 paint line but I think 526 is a solid colour wheel paint line). There is another silver wheel paint listed called Silver Flash Metallic 522-11364. Not sure which was used when exactly though, but I'm pretty sure the early HQ silver is the Sliver Flash. There are some HQ's with body colour wheels as well, Kingswood from memory. If you get me the built month/year and colour I'll try and nail it further.

What colour is your ute.

Almost definitely 222-11364 (silver flash) for that car. It looks like it changed to wheel silver metallic in or after 8/73.

The U21 and Statesman type fasciae were black not silver. I think they may have been flat black painted over silver and the black wore off.

The biggest pain on a HQ commercial is getting retractable belts to work as there is no mount for the reel. It sits half way up the pillar and has a big steel panel that runs up inside the quarter that the not is welded to. HQ’s don’t have this.

You’ll have to Engineer it to do it right. I’ve seen people try and fit them down low but they aren’t right. Go look at any HJ to WB commercial and compare to yours and you’ll see what I mean. Even 1974 HJ that didn’t have the retractable belts have the mounting hole. If you can find a ute or van with the quarters off you’ll see the thick steel section I mean, it runs from where the retractable reel bolt on right back through the inner skin.

Thanks for the detailed information. I will most likely go for the ROH wheels and repaint them. BCI make a much more expensive wheel in satin black or silver, 15” size. It is tempting to go plus 1 but it is something for me to think about as it will be one of the last parts to complete.
On a side note in regards to the instrument fascia, for those that have seen or used them, would you go silver or grey fish scale finish? I am thinking silver to brighten up the cabin.

Edited by user Saturday, 27 March 2021 11:41:38 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

There are too many options now, HK1837! CTM sell a similar wheel in alloy that looks good in photos.

Very nice. Would look good on an HQ. Good thing that I have time to consider my choices.

Edited by user Saturday, 11 December 2021 10:55:12 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

That extra information is good, qutes, thanks.

It is unlikely that I will stay with the original white body colour as it is just too stark for me. I will have to look at it and like it. The HQs had a huge range of really interesting colours and I will choose one of those. Then, depending on that, as I have purchased new ROH 14 x 6 inch rims, I will either keep it simple and leave the wheels black, go for a body colour or silver respray, or, if I change my mind entirely, white rims following your suggestion.
I have purchased the extended Statesman cluster, which I like, along with a new silver instrument fascia. I can easily revert back to the tri-gauge and Belmont fascia, if I desire. I have also purchased the external stainless steel trim of earlier vehicles; I have found the trims for the upper door sills, gutters, vertical leading edges of the B-pillar and along the bottom sills beneath the doors. Not correct for a June 1973 build but I like those garnishes.

The vehicle will not be a show car. It will share cruising duties with my other vehicles. If it had the original engine block I would do a faithful restoration.

That is the thing HK1873, it was such a poverty pack that it is difficult to leave it at that level. I do not think that I could enjoy using it.

HK1837 Quoted "You'd never do an original resto on that car anyway. It is just a Belmont ute, best modified which will cost you less, less stress and be worth more anyway in the end".

Now that takes the cake,,, did you really just post that, "JUST A BELMONT" So those guys with an HQ SS should hot it up, paint it pink its "JUST A BELMONT" and a Kingswood is just a Belmont with chrome and a GTS 350 4 Door is just a Belmont with a big donk and black outs, and in who's world is a slapped up banger worth more than an original built HQ, that might be true if it was a HK,T,G, those things only look any good painted matt black, with 20 inch home boy wheels, a ford 9 inch diff, an LS1 and a scooped up hood. AC owns the best looking, highest priced Holden in stock trim this country has ever seen, and by the way if it was a 2 seater with a floor shift, built between January an October 1974 and was a Belmont Ute, should I paint it pink add a 9inch and LS1 to it, I DONT THINK SO, and that rant is only my opinion, based on fact!!!

Edited by user Sunday, 12 December 2021 10:56:07 PM(UTC)  | Reason: spelling again