Back in 2004 a friend told me of an LH in ok nick for a good price. I went for a look and found an aqua sedan with a mild 186, trimatic, SLR spoiler and peanut 14" mags. It was as good as sold when I heard the 6 fire up and straight cut timing gears whine... Ah sweet music to my ears. Sold! The only thing needed for a roadworthy certificate was a windscreen washer bottle. It was great, for 6 months or so. First to go was the spoiler, followed by the wheels making way for some stock 13x5 wheels with hubcaps. At this stage I lowered it around 3" also.

I drove it like this on a club run or 2 and driving this car just made me smile. Enjoyment that made me forget about fuel consumption, although it was only going to get worse! I needed more power, and I had always dreamed of building a V8 Torana of my own…. The motor is a rebuilt 308 with yella terra heads, mild crow cam, rebuilt quaddie, electronic dizzy,  3 core radiator and thermo fans to keep my baby cool. North Geelong Engine Reconditioners helped with the machining. I bought a T400, had it manualised and fitted that with a small hi-stall. Wheels again were changed to HG 14X5 with shiny new white walls. I managed to find a nine inch diff out of another Torana a mate was wrecking, and rebuilt it with new gears and bearings. I fitted HQ brakes to the front end. At the end of 2006 I took it off the road again to fix some rust around the rear wheel arches and rear screen, which I thought would be fairly small job but was shocked at how well paint hides rust. Repairs were needed to almost every panel, with the worst areas the rear wheel arches and lower rear screen. Small repairs to all doors was the last step before a complete re-spray in the original Holden Aquarius.  I jazzed up the interior with some late model seats and new carpet in black with white vinyl on the dash and parcel shelf. That should just about keep me satisfied for now, I just cant wait to clock up some kays!