Ultra Violet

> Attention to detail made Simon Bonello’s HR Holden a top 10 hit at summernats 10, kick-starting a remarkable career

- Craig Parker

AS THE spray gun-wielding maestro from Ground Level Panel & Paint, Simon Bonello would be a well-known name to most Aussie street machiners. What’s perhaps not so well known is that the HR Holden you see here is the car that kick-started it all.

Simon worked as a painter for Daihatsu Australia when he debuted the violet HR at Summernats 10 in 1996-97, instantly elevating himself to paint-and-panel rock star status.

The HR was a three-year labour of love with gob-smacking attention to detail, which didn’t go unnoticed by the Summernats judges, who promptly awarded it a spot in the Top 10 ahead of a field of quality contenders. It was an impressive feat indeed for a six-cylinder streeter; even back then, it was tough going for sixes.

Simon was of the opinion that street machines should be driven. “Anyone can build an ornament,” he declared at the time. “Being street-driven is what these cars are all about.”

With this guiding principle in mind, Simon undertook the build in his suburban backyard with help from Noel Dingli, Steve Zammit and cousins Daniel and Sam Fenech – not to mention plenty of patience from his wife Susan. “The car is something I’ve wanted to do since high school,” he explained at the time. “I couldn’t afford it back then, but I can afford it now.”

Along with gallons of blood, sweat and tears, Simon invested around $30,000 in the build, which is a bargain considering the quality of the finished product.