When it comes to automotive passion, few stories resonate as powerfully as that of Chris Bywater and his stunning 700hp HT Premier. This tale, first shared in the September 2012 edition of Street Machine, captures a pivotal moment in Chris's life—a year filled with exciting changes and challenges. At just 25 years old, not only did Chris and his partner Jess welcome their first child, but they also purchased a home equipped with a spacious six-car garage. In that very garage, however, sat Chris's pride and joy: a sharp HT Premier that was temporarily out of commission due to engine troubles, a testament to the vigorous use it saw before the responsibilities of parenthood and homeownership took over.
Prior to acquiring the HT Premier, Chris owned an LH Torana. "A guy spotted my LH at Performance Car Mania," Chris recalls. "After we placed third in the burnout competition, he offered me a great price for it. I had already set my sights on the HT, so on the very day I sold the LH, I picked up the Premier." The LH was no slouch either; it boasted a formidable nitrous-fed 383ci small-block engine. However, Chris was determined to elevate his game significantly with the HT.
With this ambitious vision, Chris stripped the Premier down to its bare shell and entrusted it to Craig Brewer at Pro Pipes & Race Cars. Craig is known for his incredible HR van, nicknamed Frogstomp, which runs in the seven-second range—a clear indication of his expertise. The HT Premier underwent extensive modifications, including a tubbed rear end with a four-link setup, a shortened nine-inch differential, and the installation of a robust six-point roll cage. They even replaced the original steering box with a more responsive rack and pinion system.
Upon inspection, the body of the car was found to be in remarkable condition, exhibiting no signs of accidents or rust, save for a few minor imperfections—a rarity for a vehicle that’s over four decades old. Chris's brother, Adam, who runs Hi-Gloss Bodyworks, was brought on board to refine both the bodywork and the engine bay. While the exterior gleamed beautifully, the engine bay turned out to be nothing short of a masterpiece—so immaculate that covering it with a hood seemed almost sacrilegious, as there were no visible wires or components to disrupt its aesthetics.
As Adam painted the HT in a sleek Mercury Silver shade, Chris busied himself compiling a list of tasks and sourcing parts to ensure everything was ready upon the car's return home. The centerpiece of this build, of course, was the engine, which fortuitously came from close by. "While my car was at Craig’s for chassis work, he mentioned he was selling the engine from his van to upgrade to a new 632ci model. His van was running low eights with C16 fuel and nitrous, and low nines without, so I knew it would deliver plenty of power for what I wanted."
Chris aimed to have the HT ready for Summernats 24. "It returned from Adam’s shop in late November, and with the help of a few friends, we worked tirelessly to finish it off. I sacrificed sleep and funds, but I was confident the final product would justify the effort."
By the end of November, as the project neared completion, Chris couldn’t resist taking the car out for a test drive. "I did a few laps around the block followed by an enormous power skid. I remember my eyes were throbbing—that was the last time I drove without a windscreen!" The last piece of the puzzle was the billet steering wheel, which astonishingly arrived just a day before their departure for Summernats. However, Chris faced a hiccup when the wheel didn’t fit properly, necessitating some late-night machining of a boss kit to make it work.
After a long night of packing, Chris hit the road for Canberra. "There were numerous ups and downs during the 12-month build process, but the attention I received when I drove into Summernats made it all worthwhile."
At the event, the HT Premier garnered several accolades, including an Engineering Excellence award in the Tuff Street category. "I also enjoyed the Supercruise; I was pleased I kept the bench seat because we managed to fit seven people in there!" Back home in Melbourne, still riding the high of the experience, Chris gathered his friends, prepped the Prem with methanol, and headed to the pub. The night cost him around $600 in fuel plus a new set of rear tires, but Chris felt every cent was worth it. "There’s nothing quite like cruising the streets in a 700hp big-block Chevy with your buddies."
The next significant event was last year's Ultimate Burnout Challenge at Avalon Speedway. Initially, things went smoothly, and the crowd cheered as Chris obliterated a set of rear tires. However, disaster struck as the car experienced a severe oil surge, leading to a catastrophic failure where a rod went missing, taking out the entire bottom end.
For some time, the HT sat inoperative. Nevertheless, now that the house situation is settled, Chris is planning a new engine combination. He remains tight-lipped about the details but hints that it will be even more powerful, louder, and faster—setting the stage for an exciting 2013 ahead.
CHRIS BYWATER
HT PREMIER
Colour: De Beer Mercury Silver
DONK
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
SHIFT
Box: Powerglide
Converter: TCE 5200rpm
Diff: Strange 9in, 3.7:1
BENEATH
Brakes: BA disc (f), Wilwood disc (r)
Suspension: Pedders springs, 90/10 shocks (f), Koni coil-overs (r)
ROLLING
Rims: Weld Magnum, 3½x15 (f), 10×15 (r)
Rubber: Dragstar (f), Hoosier Quicktime Pro (r)
This story illustrates the dedication and determination of car enthusiasts like Chris. What are your thoughts on his journey? Have you ever undertaken a similar project, or do you see the passion and commitment in the car community? Let's hear your opinions!
