1964 HOLDEN EH UTE MANUAL

From the glory days of Australian manufacturing, the EH Holden has become a beacon of 60s optimism and positivity. More than a quarter-million examples of the eighth Holden model built rolled off the line, from 1963 through 1965.

Offered as a four-door sedan or wagon in three time levels (Standard, Special, Premier), as well as a two-door panel van, or two-door utility, the EH series was a large-scale mid-cycle update to the previous EJ model and benefited from a new Red six-cylinder engine that had seven bearings on its crankshaft instead of the four used on the prior Grey six.

This EH ute's rear quarters have been replaced with the rear quarters from an EH wagon, including the genuine EH tail lights (not the original EJ tail lights). Arguably how Holden should have made them in the first place.

This EH utility, with a claimed 83,000 original miles, has benefitted from significant period-style modifications to the chassis, suspension and drivetrain, including having a later-model 3.3-litre (202ci) Holden Red six fitted. The engine wears a later-model, more efficient 12-port cylinder head, Cain intake manifold, extractors and a 350cfm Holley carburettor.

Although the EH came with a three-speed Hydramatic auto or three-speed non-synchromesh manual, this ute now features a four-speed M22 manual floor-shift transmission. The original king pin front-end has been replaced by a much-improved ball joint-equipped unit from a later-model HR Holden, paired with a steering rack from an LH-series Torana, two-inch lowered “drop spindles”, coil-over struts, and a collapsible steering column from a Holden HZ-series Kingswood.

These upgrades, along with a ¾ chassis reinforcing kit from Aussie hot rodding legend Rod Hadfield, four-wheel disc brakes, and a 28-spline limited-slip BorgWarner diff, provide a solid basis for a classic Holden that could easily and safely be driven on public roads today. Thanks to it being fitted with a QLD Department of Transport Blue Plate it is legal to drive in that state, though it currently has South Australian registration.

Inside EH utes traditionally did not feature carpet and cloth seats, opting for hard-wearing rubber mats and vinyl bench seats like the no-nonsense nature behind commercial vehicles of the 1960s. This example has been upgraded with later model bucket seats, a centre-console from a different model, aftermarket sound system and steering wheel, to make it a much more comfortable place than standard.