Inside this month's Unique Cars gearbox
1. Mini Walky
Back in 1988 Holden Special Vehicles was born after the General’s split with Peter Brock’s HDT outfit. The first cab off the HSV rank was the outrageous-looking VL Group A Holden Commodore, with more bolt-on bits than you’ll find in the cupboard of a cosmetic surgeon. For those missing several zeros in their bank balance to own a full-size one, ClassicCarlectables can quench your thirst with this superbly crafted 1:18 scale diecast model in Panorama Silver. Expect to pay around $300 for this limited edition special Holden.
2. On the charge
Let’s be honest, batteries are a forgotten subject until the bloody thing runs flat. Solving this is the Century 12V Battery Charger, Supercheap is flogging for $149.99. It claims to be a must-have in the shed and on the road and is suitable for deep charging batteries from as little as 3 volts. It has nine-stage charging taking a battery from flat to full with the press of a button. The adjustable charge output lets you control the rate, with long-term modes and rapid charge functions. $170.
3. Clean screen
Our mates at the Healey Factory not only have a showroom of gorgeous toys, but they also have a line of products to keep those toys looking… pristine. Here we have Cöde Glass cleaner in a handy 500ml bottle. Best used after removing the grime from the screen, the hydrophobics in the formula bond to the glass surface creating an instant ‘self-cleaning’ coating that repels rainwater for a very long time. Priced at $17.08.
4. Master blaster
If you want a workshop with the best gear head to Hare and Forbes Machinery House. Here’s the SB-200 sandblasting cabinet, which is a must for resto work. Compact in size but not performance, it has an internal LED light and sealed side door entry for larger items. It can be used for blasting off rust, paint, dirt and other materials and comes with protective gloves, a gun, replacement screens and an assortment of ceramic tips. It can be hooked up to a dust extraction system. Cost inc GST is $374
5. Sparks will fly
Anyone who has played with car ignitions knows it’s a black art. This is where Performance Ignition Services come in. They’ve been around since mixing fuel and sparks gave you an explosion and propulsion. Not really, but you get the idea. For Datsun/Nissan fans, here’s the Scorcher Electronic Distributor L28 240/260/280Z engines. Scorcher dizzys are Aussie made with Bosch components. Order online giving the PI wizards your vehicle info and they will build the one to suit your engine. From $925.
6. Tanked Commodore
If you are working on a resto of a VL/VN/VP/VQ/VR or VS Commodore and you need a fuel tank, fork over $1390 and presto a high quality, brand newey is yours, ready to drop straight into where the old one was. This fuel tank suits a screw-in fuel sender (not included) but isn’t suitable for Commodores with independent rear suspension. If you want to save a few bob you can reuse the original filler neck. Order online $1390.
From Unique Cars #479, June 2023