Hold onto your hats, because this isn’t your grandpa’s Holden HR Premier—it’s a turbocharged, 2JZ-powered beast that’s been reimagined by Mark Psaila, a man who’s held onto this 1966 classic for over 25 years. But here’s where it gets controversial: in a world where trends come and go faster than a drag race, Mark’s dedication to this car is a rare gem—and his latest build choices are anything but ordinary. First featured in the January 2026 issue of Street Machine, this HR has evolved from a stock two-owner car to a full-blown street machine with a history as layered as its custom paint job.
Mark’s journey with this HR began in the late ’90s, and it’s been a wild ride. He started with a hot 208ci red six and triple carbs, then graduated to a mild Chevy 350 small-block. But the real game-changer? A monstrous 434ci small-block from Trick & Mansweto, pushing out 680hp on the dyno and nearly 1000hp on nitrous. And this is the part most people miss: while the HR was already a powerhouse, Mark transformed it into a head-turning streeter with custom House of Kolor Sunset Pearl orange paint. But life happens, and the car sat idle for 15 years—until Mark couldn’t ignore it any longer.
Instead of letting it gather dust, Mark decided to resurrect the HR with a bold new vision: big radials, drag racing, and a rear clip for that pro street look. Here’s the kicker: this wasn’t just a cosmetic upgrade. He gutted the rear, welded in bare rails from McDonald Brothers, and turned the four-door into a two-seater with an integrated rollcage for rigidity. The body was straightened to perfection and repainted in the original Landale Gold with a black roof—a nod to its factory roots, but with a modern twist.
Now, let’s talk engines. While the HR had seen its fair share of V8s, Mark went left-field this time, swapping in a turbocharged 3.0-litre Toyota 2JZ six-cylinder. Why the 2JZ? Mark’s a self-proclaimed ‘turbo guy’ after his experience with an RB25 Nissan engine in another project. Plus, the 2JZ’s legendary reliability and power potential made it a no-brainer. But don’t think he’s gone stock—the engine features a Yamaha-designed cylinder head ported by Rams Head Service, oversized Ferrea valves, and Kelford cams. It’s all controlled by a Haltech R5 Nexus ECU, and a Garrett G42 turbo sits atop a custom six-into-one manifold, ready to unleash chaos.
On just 21psi of boost, this setup churned out 529rwhp on E85—and that’s with the stock bottom end. But here’s the real question: will Mark’s future plans for a Dart-block 3.2-litre stroker motor push this HR into seven-second territory? With a BTE Powerglide transmission, a 9-inch Truetrac diff, and Wilwood brakes, it’s built to handle the power. And let’s not forget the Weld RTS S71 wheels wrapped in Mickey Thompson rubber—this car means business.
So, what do you think? Is Mark’s 2JZ-powered HR Premier a genius move or a sacrilege to the Holden faithful? Let us know in the comments—and while you’re at it, tell us: what’s the longest you’ve held onto a project car? Mark’s 25-year journey is a testament to passion, but it’s his unconventional choices that keep us talking.
