HDT VE Blue Meanie - Reader Resto

A chance encounter led this owner down the rabbit hole of building a latter-day HDT legend

Tongue in cheek, we asked owner Ambrose Luzza who was to blame for the stunning VE HDT Blue Meanie entering his life. Without hesitation, the answer came: “Who am I blaming for this? Phil Germantsis! He turned up at my workshop with his VF Blue Meanie – that planted the seed and it took off from there. Just some blokes having a laugh.”

Let’s walk this back a little. The whole Blue Meanie theme of course refers to the Formula Blue VK series SS Group A cars developed by HDT across 1984-85 – the Brock heydays. An homologation special, some 502 were built through the second half of 1985.

The VE HDT Improved Commodore is every bit as eye catching as the original VK

It was one of those cars that hit you between the eyes and left an impression on anyone fortunate to get up close to one. And, of course, they’re much sought-after in collector land.

Roll on to 2012 and the concept has re-emerged, albeit with a modern twist. This time around the HDT enterprise, owned by enthusiast Peter Champion, was offering the means to create a modern take on the classic using what was then the current Commodore, the VE series. It was an idea with enormous appeal.

| Reader Resto: 1984 VK Commodore Group C-inspired Big Banger

You got a dynamically far superior car with much of the style or the original and with similar levels of customisation available. Surprisingly, the idea has lasted a decade or more and you can still build a VE or VF Blue Meanie, with the guidance of HDT.

For Ambrose, the idea was just too good to ignore. He’s a serial Holden tragic with a weakness for the several VS Statesmans that have graced his shed and his VE HSV Club Sport. As he explains, he was cashed up at the time and was ready to roll.

| Buyer’s Guide: 1985 HDT VK SS Group A

Of course, the first task was finding a donor car. You clearly have lots of options when it comes to the condition you’re prepared to pay for: buy something ropey that needs a complete rebuild, through to starting with something solid.

Ambrose toyed with the idea of a roughish one that popped up in WA, but after an inspection by a mate, he rejected it. Then this example turned up at what used to be the Holden dealer in Keith, South Australia, now known as the Farmers Centre.

“It was an A1 car,” Ambrose explains, “with a fairly low 114,000km on it. Good ones are surprisingly hard to find. It’s a 2012 SS Series II.

“Vinnie and Paula from Northern Gal came with us for the drive and we brought it back. The people in Keith were great to deal with.”

Ambrose reckons he was already on the phone during the drive back to Melbourne, chasing and ordering parts.

For this conversion, the interior and bodywork were a big focus. First the interior, custom-built to the owner’s specifications and fitted by Incharge Automotive Enhancements. It’s a change-over deal. “I ordered the interior, which was a 10-week wait. It comes complete as a four-seater conversion. They rang once it was built and said to bring the car down, then they installed it. Fantastic.”

Then of course the dramatic bodywork had to be fitted and blended in. That lot included the letterbox grille, reverse bonnet scoop, rear spoiler, wheel spats and assorted decals. A mob called Grand Sport Auto tackled this side of things. Ambrose admits to being ultra-fussy, and he reckons everyone walked away happy.

Ready for enhancement

The car was lowered and fitted with Pedders dampers for the time being.

One of the big visual features is of course the 19-inch Aero-style wheels. Behind them sits a monster set of brake discs with six-piston calipers that have been treated to a fresh batch of braided hydraulic lines.

That was far from the end. The whole thing was ceramic-coated, including the wheels. A mob called Ceramic X tackled this job and Ambrose says young Marco, who did the work, was even pickier than him when it came to nailing the details.

270kW of mumbo, for now

There’s no question the car is a stunner and probably has plenty of grunt though it’s so far running a stock driveline. We’re talking of a 6.0lt V8 claiming 270kW, in this case, backed by a six-speed manual transmission. A good package.

Which doesn’t prevent the obvious question: are you planning anything for under the bonnet? Yep. Next job is to fit a supercharger, which will be underway shortly.

Superb custom cabin

With the end of the Blue Meanie build in sight, is there another project in the wings? He grins and seems a little reluctant to say too much. “I gotta stop, and I ran out of room! There is something else in my mind, another retro HDT, but that’s a bit of a secret at the moment” Watch this space…

The resto:

Box of goodies

Wonder what is lurking inside this box?

Big wheels keep on turning

Latter day version of the signature HDT Aero wheels

Stop this now

Huge rotors quickly bring the HDT to a standstill

Better than ever

With the plaque of authority to go with it

That’s a wrap

Ready for the new blue

Fresh face

The letter box grille slots neatly in, giving the VE the iconic look

Downforce

Big rear spoiler gives rear a Bathurst look

Bulging

Reverse bonnet scoop first used on 70s Toranas

Coming together

Just a few more bits and some elbow grease to finish the job

Original car: 2012 Holden VE SS Series II
Owner: Ambrose Luzza
Length of restoration: 6 months

Ambrose is one very happy owner

Specs

2012 HOLDEN VE SS SERIES II

Body: Four-door sedan
Engine: 5967cc V8
Power/torque: 270kW/530Nm
Performance: 0-100km/h 5.3 sec
Top speed 258 km/h
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Brakes: Discs (f&r)
Wheels: 18 inch (Factory wheels)