Unveiling the Damage: Holden HG Brougham

Today we dive into the Holden HG Brougham and pull the 308 out to assess the damage. Then its time to head out bush and get the parts we need to mage it a rolling steering chassis.

[@AutomotiveKarnage]

Sorry guys the first car we go to and get parts from (blue with white roof) is a HT not a HK. Thanks to @iantaylor for the spot.

[@hackney7106]

That is what I thought when I first looked at it,it had the split tail lights at the rear.

[@colinjohnstone6469]

Don't want to second guess you but are you sure it's a 308 not a 307, my old man has owned four of them and they all came with 307 I owned a hk it also had a 307 with the 2 sp powerglide and I have a mate who has 2 both are 307's

[@hackney7106]

@@colinjohnstone6469 correct,HK series came out with the 307.

[@AutomotiveKarnage]

@@colinjohnstone6469 hey mate, yeah all the hk and early ht's had the 307's with powerglides. Later ht and hgs where the first model to come with the 308. Also the engine number matches a ht/hg era 308. Awesome you have had so many broughams in your life, how cool

[@colinjohnstone6469]

@@AutomotiveKarnage thankyou now I know, first memory of doing doughnuts was in Brougham until my old girl come out and ruined the fun, I'm a sand blaster in Mudgee New South Wales heaps of old cars have been coming through lately which is good to see them getting restored back to there former glory, love your work and vids mate keep it up.

[@lukejames5721]

A brougham is a brougham mate, tags or not you cant fake that. every HG Brougham had a 308 in it. I’d rebuild that 308 and make it back to original with a few modern touches.

[@palacefords]

Please either restore it or give/sell it to someone who will. This is too rare to 'custom' or 'mod' it. The tags can be replaced. I would research the VIN to see if it can be registered. If it can be, the tags can be reprop'd and all the details can be gotten hold of.

[@thewatsonian8111]

You'd think so, but that information isn't recorded. Once the tags have been separated from the car, there's no way of finding out that information.

[@f4ufighter675]

I’d say completely strip the 308 before deciding to LS swap it. With my HK prem the tags where also taken, and the only thing that told me about it was the some engine parts lying around it, and a bunch of stuff like old coins to say when I may have been dumped. Best to let it wait till the pacer as you don’t want too many (more) projects on at once!

[@LtFrankDrebbin]

totally agree

[@hackney7106]

Do NOT modify it! Bring it back to original spec!

[@bradj78]

Someone needs to send this Kiwi home, minus this Brougham. He’s full of it. No one faked a Brougham, it’s the real thing. Tags can be replaced, from the stamped numbers on the body. Suppliers of parts/workshops should do what unions did in the 1980’s when developers wanted to demolish heritage buildings. They put Green Bans on them and wouldn’t be involved in demolition or works on site.

[@hackney7106]

@@bradj78 he is not very good at what he does,come up with some dumb ideas!

[@jamesspinks716]

Anything you do to get it back on the road is a good thing.

[@bryanoconnor3510]

Before you decide whether to keep or flip, make a bit of a shopping list and starting pricing the bits and pieces you’ll need, you might be in for a bit of a shock. I bought a HG Ute 5 months ago and have been collecting bits for it and it’s costing me a bundle and I still haven’t put a Spanner near it.

[@ForeverJonStrong]

Awesome episode DJ, love your channel, connect and listening to you go about working on these cars, heading out bush with you and seeing all the other cars out there is awesome too. Thanks for bringing this to us all! Brilliant.

[@ThrottleAddiction]

Rather than add it to your growing collection of un-finished projects - perhaps let someone restore it as it should be, regardless of missing tags. A much, much better outcome. The front left door on the HK you rolled over looked better than the one on the Brougham, or was that just the camera angle?

[@darianistead2239]

Just LS swap it... Don't like them particularly but it makes sense. As you said, easy power, parts easy to source, reliable and will start when you turn the key, most importantly you already have one and they're are an easy conversion. Built an hk ute back in NZ, with a Toyota 1uz V8 and trans, Mitsubishi L300 crossmember with L300 front suspension, rack and pinion steering, jag independent rear end, full air ride and it wasn't too hard at all to do and it drove soo nice.. Modern comfort with old school cool looks🤷‍♂️

[@Shanes_Shed]

I'd like to see the 308 in it, like you said the LS swaps have been done to death so it's almost something different to keep the old school donk

[@MattExzy]

'Everything gets parked for a reason' rings true with the engine carnage there.

[@Scottyr05]

Love the Original AC Delco Oil Filter :)

[@rickhelsdon5357]

Was once the car of my dreams.

[@bruceaskin9645]

Yes the tie rod arm fill fit , however the distance from the bolt to the tie rod is different . Power steer vehicles have shorter arms. giving a more direct steering , you can still use them and have a lower geared steering but just be sure both sides are the same, or you will never get it steer correctly. Actually this is the case with the HQ / WB models , I could be wrong about this one.

[@lukejames5721]

Not the case on a htg, this should have a 16.7 ratio steering box fitted as its a factory power steer

[@bodgiesteve8849]

The first doner car was a HT, and the second was a HK. Some of the HK steering partts are different to HT/G. Pretty shure the steering arms are different, as HT arms are in demand, for rack&pinion conversions on HR fronted early Holdens. Oh yeah, the second donner car was a HK, metal grill, narrow tail lights, long rectangular speedo. Also different rear doors an quarter panel.👍

[@BradGryphonn]

I've got a 308 in the old bus I live in. It replaced an old six-cylinder diesel in the latish 80s when it was a school bus. Still runs fine if you're anywhere near Brisbane and can pull it out. I like the Broughams and would be happy to part with it if it goes in that classic.

[@MickKalkadoon-ze7wz]

New non stamped tags can be got ,aside from engine number ,paint interior and body number trim number can be coded if you have a rough idea of colours codes to complete tags

[@darrenvictoriathornhill1170]

Plane arm. You actually can get HQ Holden ones that are longer to improve heavy steering. Not easy to find though. The entire steering knuckle from HQ to HZ will fit. You just reverse fit said plane arms. This gives better disc brakes. Yours has the power assist steering ram. It will need seals. It wasn’t too bad a system in the day. I had a few. Enjoy. I do think most folk here would agree with a 350 chev type engine though. Mor plentiful than the ole 08. The trans crossmember set up does move a bit to allow. Rams horn exhaust manifolds work well with the steering box position.

[@Nicholas.610]

Well done mate! Ignore the muppets in the comments with the "you should..blah blah." As a mechanical engineer I can tell you you're doing it right.

[@AutomotiveKarnage]

Cheers mate, i appreciate it.

[@jimclarke1108]

If its a matching numbers engine ? leave it in, after its rebuilt

[@holdenbrougham1056]

I honestly will say it once and once only ,, that Brougham body is very much a rebuild for sure ,,, the engine 308h is the right style engine , the colour is correct both inside and out , the chromes are often seen for sale

[@thelyran]

There's a very good chance that's the original engine,it has the front mounted oil neck filler.Some really rare parts still on that old girl,power assisted steering with the hydraulic ram on the steering linkage.Large brake booster,disc hubs, and spindles.

[@tongoio]

The Brougham I drove had a 307 Chev

[@davidbarnsley8486]

Dj for your future knowledge Hk has thin tail lights about 75mm wide Ht looks the blue one has much bigger light with separation bar between brake and indicator Hg same big light as ht but no separation bar the lense is one piece half amber half red I think the brougham is a ht brougham as it has the separation bit between red and orange But it does look like a hg grill 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@markissboi3583]

she'll buff out nicely

[@armiebarnes1881]

Love your work.thank you

[@Penguinracer]

Surely Holden must have a record of the original spec based on the firewall ID tag? I think you should try to get the 308 back in there - LS conversions, great as they are - are so common place. Soon heritage Holdens with their original 308 will be as rare as hens's teeth.

[@mowtown75]

Tags (timeline 12:15): If the legacy IT MVR systems are accessible, the motor reg dept would have a history based on engine number, and they would have a record of whether the engine was swapped. Even if it was, the VIN is parent data and would remain the same, in fact you would also get the old engine # had it been swapped. All the first reg location and owner detail would be there too. But it does depend on whether they offer that service and if its retrievable, (maybe microFysh or whatever its called). The roo bar gives a clue that it was likely first reg in WA.

[@andrewdunbar828]

That's some nice patina inside that engine.

[@jackthomson73]

Have you contacted any classics car clubs about finding info when tags are missing? With the vin you should be able to find out factory build info I think. Also this is just my 2 bob worth. I’m sure you know a hell of a lot more about cars than I’ll ever know 👍. Great content. Actually met you at red cent nats once. Cheers. 👍

[@geoffmower8729]

I just hope it doesn't turn out a dogs breakfast. If it were me I'd go original you can get the tags remade it would be worth more stock than a hooned Frankenstein!

[@brentonk461ismylostaccount]

I think you will find it shoukd have a HP block and a powerglide. Just completed a set of Holden red motor connecting rods and fitted 3/8" rod bolts too them and took a substantial amount of weight out of them for a 350ci build.. Also have the correct ht hg model heads in stock going on the same build. Make as much power as your 5.7L LS.

[@mowtown75]

RE: Timeline 23:40 Staging Cars; Yes I drove the stuart hwy many times from DRW to ADL and there are recked cars on the side and off in the distance. I totally believe that there would be older cars further off the hwy.

[@ChrisArmstrong-ir3fg]

G’day mate, I know with fords the compliance plate does mean ‘everything’, holdens their numbers are all over the place. With that said LS her, drop her on her guts and create a sweet cruiser. As with the ‘setting it up’ the as found look, I have no doubt that this is exactly how you found her as your Australian not American looking for fake ‘barn finds’ haha!! Looking forward to your next posts, have a good one cheers mouse

[@micksoa.k.885]

Looking forward to this build....

[@geoffmower8729]

I'm scared of how it's going to turn out!

[@davidmilledge221]

If that's the original motor then the engine block number that is on the original rego slip will match the car and prove its identity then should show up other ID stuff about the car , then u can trace the stolen plates on a fake car through motor rejestation I'm sure

[@stevefleming356]

What a shame the tag is missing 😢

[@davidhumphries853]

Missing one tag is hardly a drama, considering it was probably stolen many years ago, and the tag was ripped off. The chance of it being on another car is so rare to be ridiculous.

[@spamanator666]

This was a bush find? It must have really been in the middle of nowhere since it was never too much picked over!

[@shonacannons4836]

Another great Video!!

[@brentonk461ismylostaccount]

Just needs one of my Motors and a complete restoration

[@JacobFlakelar69]

It must stay original they are worth more original than modified that’s if you sell it

[@chrisralston294]

You do what ever you want to it because it's yours who cares put the 351 or the barra as long as it goes and is not rotting on the side of the road

[@jordytaylor_]

Awesome man Do what ever is easiest for you to get it driving mate.

[@AutomotiveKarnage]

Appreciate you mate. Easiest thing for now is park it up and wait for the inspiration.

[@MrCorncrack]

Have you tried a simple revs check with the vin chassis number may bring up the car the tags are on take to the police and get the tags back ?

[@COLEY72]

Dam I once owned a Brougham ... HG I think it was ... It had a HP block but I'm not sure of the CC,s ... I gave it away in the late 90,s ... What a fool I was ...

[@AutomotiveKarnage]

Coley! How are ya mate? Yeah thats a bummer you gave it away.

[@COLEY72]

@@AutomotiveKarnage g'day mate ... I'm great thanks 👍 ... Hope all's good with you too 😀

[@jeffposchalk1740]

You have the vin number to identify the car the compliance are able to be replaced

[@DiscGolfAU]

Keep the original motor in it.

[@definitionmedia1130]

Youlost me ehen you said mighty barra...

[@brettricho1]

Great Vid's! How do you legally claim these wrecks? Curious.

[@memyselfandi9365]

The I.D. tags are missing because the car was most likely stolen.

[@downtheshedwithbyron]

Awesome video mate dad and i loved watching it on his new tv haha Any parts out there that can help us out with that ute

[@brettjones5041]

good job mate

[@bryanfarley8395]

to keep the original motor,wouldn’t you want to replace the sump

[@unokarpa4405]

18:37 самое ценное в этой машине, в этом металлоломе - бампер, такого качества хромирования уже давно не делают.

[@paulriggers1558]

surely in ozz you have geeks + nerds, those boys + girls will be able to use the chassis no. to zero in on the car details ? in UK, the relevant owners club has the power to resurrect a car without tags, complicated, but fully approved when completed if you do mod. it, make sure all mods are "bolt in" adaptions, able to be reversed easily, to keep the geeks/nerds happy keep up the excellent work young man PS could you of not used the RH arm upside down on the left, then turned the track rod end 180?

[@JB-qw2jk]

Please don’t mod it with a newer engine. This car is very rare these days and in a desirable colour with a reasonable body it deserves a proper resto. 308 blocks are easy to find.

[@andrewyates108]

Yes mate I agree with you

[@jamesstuart2362]

hello do you ever come a across hg Holden barket seat

[@Paulie-369]

Are you sure its a 70 it could be a 69 as the 308 was first used in the 69 as well. They may have manufactured into 70 but could be a 69

[@RichardCordell101]

Is there an update as at 15-Dec-23?

[@leewhatley3151]

If you LS or Barra swap that ya need kicking in the nuts

[@grantcoyle6031]

Iam not 100% but the first generation Brurm had a a 350 Chevrolet 10 bolt dif and a 2 speed gearbox because my dad had a Holden premier with a 2 speed power glid and a 308 the same but dads was a 69 model

[@markelliott6370]

What are you doing with the 308 mate? Selling?

[@aftonline]

Somebody needs to come clean and cough up the original tags. Maybe this channel doesn't have enough reach but wouldn't it be cool if somebody anonymously mailed the tags in to help with the rebuild effort? Come on, you know who you are, fess up already!

[@LEF3133]

Cummins 6.7l for something different

[@stefantrnacek1394]

It is a steering arm.

[@dean4817]

Is it matching numbers

[@bryanfarley8395]

don’t put a ford motor in the car,I would try and rebuild the 308 and install it back into the brougham

[@stephenhunter70]

I think I've seen 1979 Holden vehicles advertised for sale with HG tags. And I think it was done to "increase the value" except it doesn't, for obvious reasons.

[@brianandglendaharkin9457]

307 is the HK 👍🏻🇦🇺💯⛽️

[@alexwallace9832]

If nobody else has reached out to you, Would be interested in the Monaro seats Cheers Alex

[@jody1skinobe314]

If your logic for modifying it, is because it has no tags - that makes no sense. Modify or no, it still has no tags 🤷‍♂️ either way can u use it? I don’t know, but modifying it isn’t the answer.. but hey, it’s your car, do as u wish 👍🏼 but u did ask us .. 😆

[@enyawnivlag1]

It's fifty free years old?

[@joker68.2]

I wonder if there's a brougham floating around with those tags an copied vin on it ????

[@AutomotiveKarnage]

Thats the worry.

[@joker68.2]

@@AutomotiveKarnage guess you will find out when you try put back on road ??

[@andrewkirtley6565]

An LS donor for $400?????

[@bradj78]

I call BS.

[@GoneFalconcampin]

Forget the LS stroke the 308 to 355.

[@backyardbangers1012]

Id bet it was stolen became a donor car then dumped in the bush many years later

[@davidvincent2051]

That arm is called a plain arm mate.

[@OldM8Rem]

Fuck man put the barra in just to spite them. It's a great engine regardless.

[@piffiiiiiiit]

355 💪

[@willross4125]

Cool as

[@damianbrennan2258]

Don't worry about the engine do the body🙄

[@aussiehsv559]

Hi

[@peters2849]

I am with the Majority,,, Keep it Original… restore to Original… Nothing is better,.,

[@michaelbyrnes7944]

Originally is shit in that model Holden 308 is shit as had no oil pressure from new crap junk engine LS is great but like very common in everything the only holden engine I’d be interested in was the VT 304 roller cam engine chev crank bolts straight in they fixed the oil pressure issue and put a LS style alternator on it and had a chev pattern gearbox good in manual or auto so basically a real v8 a cast iron LS

[@joe2097]

DO NOT fuck with that car you have Holden or chev motor they are priceless

[@joshy351]

hahahhahaahahahaha Ford Junk in the engine bay?? More like junk all around the 351 Cleveland lol.. Jokes!! great watch anyway man!

[@MrSamlyle]

Steering arm and Stub axle…

[@Remgrantd]

Put a late model holden statesman interior in it will look good

[@enyawnivlag1]

Ok ok it's a free oh eight..

[@markwebster613]

Ls1 but not a barra .

[@gbanger2575]

It blew a Conrad because it's a crappy Holden engine, after all. Old school chev or ls1 for sure!

[@anun6252]

if its 308H2509 its my old car

[@noordhup]

Know your Holdens don't you

[@MarkLewis-g3e]

😢crying 4 u

[@bradj78]

Bloke can’t even pronounce the name of the car correctly so I have ZERO confidence that he will actually finish this car 😡

[@MetalMania3DTV-TAS-AUS]

First bam 😂😊

[@AutomotiveKarnage]

Yeah dude!!

[@HOLDEN921]

@@AutomotiveKarnage hi mate I wanted you to come to the Holden hk ht hg nationals in November please enter your car from Holden man tc

[@AutomotiveKarnage]

@@HOLDEN921 mate that sounds awesome. Where is it? How do i get in touch?

[@HOLDEN921]

@@AutomotiveKarnage hi mate search up the Holden hk ht hg owners club of Victoria from Holden man tc

[@RagdollRacingInc]

I told you already what i think keep it stock as a rock im a purist

[@EricaMTB]

Bring it back to original.