LH Torana in the UK

I've got it here in the UK, arrived last week from Indonesia.

Lots to do, but it's all mine.

It's a 1975 LH SL 173 4 speed, originally Salamanca Red.

Plan is to make it an SLR 5000 A9X lookalike, maybe V8 in the future.

Not sure on colour, I love Barbados Green but the red is growing on me.

I'm new to Torana's so lots to learn, and I will no doubt ask lots of silly questions in the future.

Edited by Matth70, 17 November 2021 - 06:13 AM.

So you’re not far from me then! About time we had a few up here.


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Have you got one over here in the UK??

http://www.gmh-toran...and/?hl=ireland This is my story!

So is that three is Europe then, including the green German one?

Great pics on your story, that looks like what I hope to achieve, so I am sure I will be asking lots of advice.

I've seen an old photo of a dark blue 4 door somewhere in the UK but I know no more about it.

Edited by Matth70, 17 November 2021 - 06:32 AM.

I was in the Holden UK Register, when I had my VP commodore wagon (2000 - 2017). The club is still going, I need to rejoin now! A good friend of mine, Sandy Mercer had an XA Falcon Coupe that was on Goss colours but it went back to Australia. I know of two XB GT Coupes here and a couple of 4 door Falcons.

There is a Australian Cars in the UK Facebook page so quite a bit of Aussie car interest over here, alot of it HSV and late Monaros, but still some older stuff, Chargers, Valiants, Falcons, HQ's, and the first Leyland P76.

Edited by Matth70, 17 November 2021 - 08:07 AM.

Awesome! Great pick-up. I saw this one posted on FB a while ago, didn't seem to take awfully long to get to you, considering everything that's going on with shipping in the world this year.

Looks like a pretty great starting point.

If you're doing any bodywork in the front end, keep in mind that you can buy new LH/LX Torana headlight surrounds inexpensively (from Rare Spares or Resto Country) and you should buy & test fit them before you paint your nosecone. Who knows what has happened in the steel work there to fit those dorky rounded ones (why does every old Holden in South East Asia have weird headlight surrounds fitted?).

Awesome! Great pick-up. I saw this one posted on FB a while ago, didn't seem to take awfully long to get to you, considering everything that's going on with shipping in the world this year.

 

Looks like a pretty great starting point.

 

If you're doing any bodywork in the front end, keep in mind that you can buy new LH/LX Torana headlight surrounds inexpensively (from Rare Spares or Resto Country) and you should buy & test fit them before you paint your nosecone. Who knows what has happened in the steel work there to fit those dorky rounded ones (why does every old Holden in South East Asia have weird headlight surrounds fitted?).

I know very little about it yet, I have lots to discover. Not sure if they used any local parts to assemble them in Indonesia, and I reckon I'll be adapting some European stuff to fit here and there. I think the bonnet bulge and boot spoiler may be hand made in steel, boot is REALLY HEAVY.

I know very little about it yet, I have lots to discover. Not sure if they used any local parts to assemble them in Indonesia, and I reckon I'll be adapting some European stuff to fit here and there. I think the bonnet bulge and boot spoiler may be hand made in steel, boot is REALLY HEAVY.

Shipping wise was 6 weeks from Bali to Southampton. Cameron Hughes from Holden Resto Bali sorted everything the Indonesia end for me, he was a great help.

The whole thing came from a chance Facebook post on Australian Cars Overseas, with the car advertised for sale and it looked right for what I wanted at a reasonable price.

Shipping was ALOT more than the car price, but there is no choice really to get it here.

I was in the Holden UK Register, when I had my VP commodore wagon (2000 - 2017). The club is still going, I need to rejoin now! A good friend of mine, Sandy Mercer had an XA Falcon Coupe that was on Goss colours but it went back to Australia. I know of two XB GT Coupes here and a couple of 4 door Falcons.
There is a Australian Cars in the UK Facebook page so quite a bit of Aussie car interest over here, alot of it HSV and late Monaros, but still some older stuff, Chargers, Valiants, Falcons, HQ's, and the first Leyland P76.

Looks a great start. Would love to know the car's history, it's clearly had a life!

G'day Matt, welcome to the forum!

That looks like a fairly tidy base for a project, although you've got some work ahead of you as far as sourcing parts is concerned, there's not much of the standard interior left in there. Looks like it's seen some track work?

I'm guessing the diff has been messed with as well? If all four wheels are the same size then the rear track looks way skinnier than it should?

Also, that's one hell of an exhaust for a 173! I'm wondering if a V8 and maybe it's 'proper' wheels were removed prior to selling?

Looks a great start. Would love to know the car's history, it's clearly had a life!

It has been raced in Indonesia, has a full cage, coil pack ignition system with MSD, extractors and twin exhaust system.

It was red, then black, now red again but many layers of paint. Previous owner the last 7 years in Sumatra who raced it.

G'day Matt, welcome to the forum!

 

That looks like a fairly tidy base for a project, although you've got some work ahead of you as far as sourcing parts is concerned, there's not much of the standard interior left in there. Looks like it's seen some track work?

 

I'm guessing the diff has been messed with as well? If all four wheels are the same size then the rear track looks way skinnier than it should?

 

Also, that's one hell of an exhaust for a 173! I'm wondering if a V8 and maybe it's 'proper' wheels were removed prior to selling?

I think its original 173 as it has extractors, full twin system and some other work done to the engine, no signs of removal, still has the aircon and power steering pumps fitted.

The previous owner has gone for the A9X look but with what is available in Sumatra I suspect, and the look is what appealed to me, as my plan was to get one when I retire and do a big trip to Australia, but this came up a few years early and was too good to miss.I can easily source a small block Chevy over here to go the V8 route if I decide that is the way forward.

I dont know about the diff at all, I can see handbrake cables have been cut off!

Wheels have been on it some time, they are in older photos of when it raced before the bonnet bulge was fitted.

I may keep it in race spec just to get it on the road, and not worry about interior yet.

I'm pretty sure there is another one in the UK. I remember a thread from a couple of years back. Can't find it though.

Somehow I don't think the power steering pump was fitted from factory. lol.

Those headlight bezels are not std Aussie issue.

I couldnt think of anything worse tbh. Its hard enough to build a Torana in Australia, and the price of parts now have skyrocketed... 

I couldnt think of anything worse tbh. Its hard enough to build a Torana in Australia, and the price of parts now have skyrocketed... 

I'm prepared to give it a go.

I always liked the look of Toranas and it will be unique over here in the UK. Some aspects will not be original I'm sure but, neither are my Challenger, Aussie Charger or my wife's 57 Chevy pick up.

I haven’t found it too hard, mine was disassembled in ‘96 so being shipped around from house to house over the past 25 years I’ve lost a few fiddly parts. I managed getting the 9” from the US complete with 5x4 3/4 PCD, then sourced HQ brakes from Oz, so I could get wheels from the US as well. Rarespares shipped stuff to me international, that was good too.

My biggest issue is glass, I haven’t worked that out yet, and I’m trying to source an LS and T56 combo from either US or Oz.

Anyone who has seen mine thinks it’s a Mk 2 Escort

Sounds like you’ve got a nice collection of cars going.


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Would probably look to the US for the LS and 6 speed.

I bought an LS and 6 speed a few years ago here for just on 2k.

Now, they want about 5k or more for the same thing.

Not sure whether it is a Kung Flu tax solely, or people thinking that they are now rare.

Can still find the odd car with LS and 6 speed complete for less than the engine and box alone from time to time though.

Shipping would like be cheaper from the US as well.

You have another option over there that may work out cheaper and easier.

LandRover V8 may be an option to consider.

Big go fast community over there for them too.

Cheers

Rob

I couldnt think of anything worse tbh. Its hard enough to build a Torana in Australia, and the price of parts now have skyrocketed... 

Yeah , but he pays  1/2 + a bit less of the asking prices.