A Lifetime with my Torana

In 1971 I purchased my first new car a Holden LC Torana sedan from Suttons Holden in Chatswood NSW and I enjoyed the driving experience of owning a newbie. Then in 1973 upgraded to an Holden LJ GTR-XU1 Torana from a colleague and competition manager for Mitsubishi, although second hand a brilliant car with unmatched power and handling (for its day), the Torana liked to drink fuel so the Torana was used sparingly. I used a low light side valve Morris Minor as the week day car for general transport.
Then in 1977 we were expecting an addition to the family, and when my wife’s water broke the Torana was used to transport her to the hospital which I’m sure was most uncomfortable for my wife as she was hanging on to the anti-roll bar and trying to breathe at the same time. Not long after it was time for my daughter Rebecca to come home, logistics of how the basinet was going to fit? Well did it! With anti-roll bar protection. Over kill? Maybe. But safety first I always say.
My daughter had reflux and had to sleep in a Frazer chair (upright position) which interrupted her sleep pattern. So always the loving Dad, I put her in the Torana and we would go for a drive, she loved it and went to sleep immediately, the noise or rough rocking of the motor was a soothing motion, music to both our ears.
Sady, the worst thing I could ever imagine, happened, my wife wanted to get her driver’s licence, and the Torana had to go!!!!
With great regret the Torana was sold, and an XP Falcon station wagon automatic was the family car, and yes, a good choice for my first wife as it was well battled scared by the end of her learning years. We sold it and progressed to the ZA Fairlane, but that’s another story.
We now jump to the 1990’s where I met up with some more race car enthusiasts, and one this acquaintance had this awesome Holden LJ/LC Torana sports sedan that he used sparingly. I spent my time racing HQ’s and Torana’s with a friend around NSW. Until 2014 when that lovely Torana from the early 1990’s became available for sale and of course I put my hand up, and then I was the proud owner.
It never rains but pours because at the same time another acquaintance was selling one of his father’s Historic Holden Torana race cars in excellent condition, “being an avid Holden Torana enthusiast” as I am. All the fond memories of my past Torana days came flooding back so, I purchased it after lengthy negotiations. Then Torana went into storage on stands as I had nowhere to garage it at home as I had a project on the go and a Torana sports sedan and 1965 Mustang coupe NC car race.
It never rains but pours because at the same time another acquaintance was selling one of his father’s Historic Holden Torana race cars in excellent condition, “being an avid Holden Torana enthusiast” as I am. All the fond memories of my past Torana days came flooding back so, I purchased it after lengthy negotiations. Then Torana went into storage on stands as I had nowhere to garage it at home as I had a project on the go and a Torana sports sedan and 1965 Mustang coupe NC car race.
To start, the vehicle was stripped, sand blasted back to metal and beyond my belief, no rust, no accidents, only one previously scuffed nose panel but nothing to write home about.
I enlisted my daughter and her partner’s paint and panel shop to complete the repairs and paint it in its original colour “1971 The Lone O’Ranger” orange, this process at mates/family rates only took 4 years then it was back to me to reassemble, install and replace all the bits and pieces as it progressed back to a road registerable vehicle, using most of the old running gear and Holden 186 red motor.
The Torana was a Historic Vehicle log booked NC race car since early 1990’s and it’s always lived in a garage under lock and key, under a constant maintenance schedule by its previous owner, it has raced at all the main circuits, Bathurst, Sandown, Oran Park and Targa events etc.
Although not the original numbered engine block, this 186 S Holden red motor is fully blueprinted, with polish and honed components then balanced to the manufacture’s exact tolerances.
The cylinder head and breathing of the engine are of utmost importance, with maximum sized ports and smoothest port passages, matched exhaust manifold ports with larger than normal mandrel bent exhaust system all help for a better performance.
The original rear end or differential was a final ratio 3.36 mini spool race locker which didn’t work out well with parking and everyday driving so I changed it with a Tru-trac limited slip differential with a final ratio of 3.9 from my old LJ Torana sports sedan spares, all good, extremely quick but brought the top end speed down to 180kph, I will have to change the final drive gear out for a 3.03 or 3.08 ratio very soon.
The brakes were fully overhauled, with new rotors, disc’s, drums and shoes going with Pagid competition linings which will stop you on a cent piece. The suspension saw me using the existing stabilizer and spring rates front and rear and changing the Koni adjustable hard shock absorbers to the Murray Coote adjustable Gold (MCA), a personal thing.
The tyres and rims are good as I have two sets of 13 x 6-inch Hotwires so that’s not an issue, Bridgestone rubber and a good wheel alignment was next on the agenda.
Tuning this vehicle was the next step, with the engine assembly complete, the distributor and weber carburettors were next, strip down and clean, put back together the object being not to have any parts left over, I then enlisted assistance of a local business in Capalaba with a Dynamometer machine for the final tune, the result being that the engine is back to its old self pushing out over 200hp.
I also chose to renew the interior upholstery back to original and used a local business in Cornubia, the lady knew exactly what was required.
The result on the Holden Torana restoration I feel is great for me, she’s not a show car, she goes and handles extremely well and I can fix and replace the small imperfections as I enjoy participating in like-minded enthusiasts’ events.
Now time to place Special Interest Vehicle Registration on the Torana, and saw Club Dating Officer for club documentation and off down to Queensland Transport for registration. Now looking at the club calendar for participation at events, this restoration only took 6 years, starting to see a pattern here but had a few other toys within the same period.
I leave you with a joke –
A police officer attempts to stop a car for speeding and the guy gradually increases his speed until he’s topping 100 mph.
He eventually realizes he can’t escape and finally pulls over.
The cop approaches the car and says, it’s been a long day and my tour is almost over, so if you can give me a good excuse for your behaviour, I’ll let you go.
The guy thinks for a few seconds and says, “My wife ran away with a cop about a year ago. I thought you might be that officer trying to give her back!”
Happy motoring!