Javascript Disabled Detected

You currently have javascript disabled. Several functions may not work. Please re-enable javascript to access full functionality.

My son's UC Hatch

Started by rodomo , Jan 28 2006 08:53 AM

Next

Please log in to reply

32 replies to this topic

#1 rodomo

To advertise here, call 13TORANA

Members
17,999 posts

Name:R - O - B Dammit!
Location:Way out west of Melbourne Awstraylya
Joined: 10-December 05

Posted 28 January 2006 - 08:53 AM

Though I'd post some pics of my son's UC hatch that has been my project for the last 14mths. The car was bought for $600 in May 2004, I started work on it in November 2004 thinking I would have it done by February 2005 for his 17th. Famous last words. It is booked in for RWC Thurs coming and Reg. Fri. These pics were taken before work commenced. If I get it out of the shed this weekend I will post pics of it finished (both the doors are off at the moment for new hinges)

https://cache.gmh-to...odomo/uc004.jpg

https://cache.gmh-to...odomo/uc002.jpg

https://cache.gmh-to...odomo/uc001.jpg

https://cache.gmh-to...odomo/uc009.jpg

Hope these pics work, it's my first time, be gentle with me (more famous last words)
RACV MAN

Back to top

#2 GML-31

Oh My, Don't you post alot

Members
5,239 posts

Name:Kev
Location:Highland Park
Car:too many
Joined: 08-November 05

Posted 28 January 2006 - 09:27 AM

cant wait to see the completed ones, if your job has been as good as the rust bits you make I am sure it will be great.

Back to top

#3 Heath

I like cars.

Administrators
18,314 posts

Name:Heath
Location:Eastern Suburbs, Melbourne
Car:Heavily Modified UC Sunbird Hatchback
Joined: 07-November 05

View Garage

Posted 28 January 2006 - 09:43 AM

Awesome stuff, it even looks pretty strait in the initial photos you've got there. I'd love to see the finished product though. I hope he stuck a sports instrument cluster in there?

Back to top

#4 rodomo

To advertise here, call 13TORANA

Members
17,999 posts

Name:R - O - B Dammit!
Location:Way out west of Melbourne Awstraylya
Joined: 10-December 05

Posted 28 January 2006 - 11:17 AM

It's a SL/E sunbird and has factory sports dash, steering wheel, carpets up the door etc. etc. Had a fair bit of rust in the hatch, thats what prompted me to make the tool to make the hatch seal channels. The paint was dry and lumpy. You can see a dry patch on the pass. door. Also bog falling out. The pass. door is very ordinary but it tidied up o.k for an 18yr old who said "dont worry too much dad, I'll probably have a crash or 2 in it" :cry:

As i was pressing out some dents in the front bar.
RACV MAN

Edited by rodomo, 28 January 2006 - 11:23 AM.

Back to top

#5 Heath

I like cars.

Administrators
18,314 posts

Name:Heath
Location:Eastern Suburbs, Melbourne
Car:Heavily Modified UC Sunbird Hatchback
Joined: 07-November 05

View Garage

Posted 28 January 2006 - 11:20 AM

Ahhh top stuff. I thought I saw a clock in there but I musta been wrong.
Now I'm getting excited lol, I wanna see this thing how it is now

Back to top

#6 _Flamenco_

Guests

Posted 28 January 2006 - 11:33 AM

Looks like it's on the way to a full recovery rodomo!

Back to top

#7 Toranavista

'Let There Be Rock' 1977

Members
2,862 posts

Location:CANBERRA
Joined: 08-November 05

Posted 28 January 2006 - 11:47 AM

Nice project. The Sunbird SLE is a great starting point for a project as it has many luxury features. Intermitant wipers to, from memory. At $600 it is great buying. lets just say you paid for the steering wheel and doors and got the rest thrown in

Edited by Toranavista, 28 January 2006 - 11:48 AM.

Back to top

#8 _TORANASS_

Guests

Posted 28 January 2006 - 06:54 PM

I could realy get used to the dash in the UC specialy the SLE dash with full instrument cluster.. But just cant swallow them tail lights.. I think Holden did a ok job on the front of the car its just those tail lights stick out like bubbles..

I reckon with a decent design tail light the UC woulda lookd quite Good

John

Back to top

#9 Heath

I like cars.

Administrators
18,314 posts

Name:Heath
Location:Eastern Suburbs, Melbourne
Car:Heavily Modified UC Sunbird Hatchback
Joined: 07-November 05

View Garage

Posted 28 January 2006 - 06:59 PM

The tail lights look good from some angles, but very lousy from others. They're a very different car, something a bit more tame and refined I reckon. Great car for a P-plater because they're not as much of a 'hoon' car in most people's view, still go just as hard as any other Torana with a bit of work.

Back to top

#10 rodomo

To advertise here, call 13TORANA

Members
17,999 posts

Name:R - O - B Dammit!
Location:Way out west of Melbourne Awstraylya
Joined: 10-December 05

Posted 28 January 2006 - 11:31 PM

I have painted the reflectors in the tail lights with chrome paint, now they look amber (like LH LX) and same when illuminated. Its the bright orange reflector that gives them the beacon look. I was fortunate that it came with spare tail lights and was able to experiment.
RACV MAN

Back to top

#11 rodomo

To advertise here, call 13TORANA

Members
17,999 posts

Name:R - O - B Dammit!
Location:Way out west of Melbourne Awstraylya
Joined: 10-December 05

Posted 29 January 2006 - 12:43 AM

New pic. 5pm Sat 28th and other stuff.
https://cache.gmh-to...o/REDTORANA.jpg
Everything is covered cos I was welding today. Found more rust in the lower front corner of the pass. door :cry:

Works in progress: This is what I WAS doing November 2004. My 1974 rangie getting a 2004 facelift.
https://cache.gmh-to...domo/RANGIE.jpg
Past project
https://cache.gmh-to...ackcarfront.jpg
Future project (The Baby)
https://cache.gmh-to...WHITETORANA.jpg

Back to top

#12 Heath

I like cars.

Administrators
18,314 posts

Name:Heath
Location:Eastern Suburbs, Melbourne
Car:Heavily Modified UC Sunbird Hatchback
Joined: 07-November 05

View Garage

Posted 29 January 2006 - 11:11 PM

Ahh the sheet just covers that part of the tail light. No rush though, when you get the car out in good time you should post some nice big piccies

Back to top

#13 _devilsadvocate_

Guests

Posted 31 January 2006 - 12:58 PM

Looks fairly straight. Realise there is a few things on your "to do' list, but one thing that would irk me(coz I know its not meant to be like it) is the incorrect black wiper stalk, should be same colour as the rest of the dash, obviously didnt worry the previous owner.
Another thing i puzzled over is that the Subird even in SLE trim never got the chrome surrounds around the rear lights and on the boot lid of the sedan, whereas the SL Toranas did. I think it looks better with the chrome.

Edited by devilsadvocate, 31 January 2006 - 01:01 PM.

Back to top

#14 rodomo

To advertise here, call 13TORANA

Members
17,999 posts

Name:R - O - B Dammit!
Location:Way out west of Melbourne Awstraylya
Joined: 10-December 05

Posted 01 February 2006 - 12:07 AM

Yeah I noticed that myself. There are other things too that aren't quite right like the vent above the console below the heater control. Had to tek screw this to the heater box. Looks O.K but obviously not original. Also front bar has rubber strip but rear bar not and no holes to provide. Doesn't matter in this application as is is more a cheap rebuild rather than a restoration. Total price on road with 12 months reg and insurance is looking around $2500
RACV MAN

Back to top

#15 rodomo

To advertise here, call 13TORANA

Members
17,999 posts

Name:R - O - B Dammit!
Location:Way out west of Melbourne Awstraylya
Joined: 10-December 05

Posted 02 February 2006 - 04:46 PM

Finished work for RWC 3.30am this morning and past RWC at 8.45am. Still some finishing off to do (touch up and buff the hatch and a couple of other buff throughs) but at least he can get some practice before his licence on the 20th. Reg. tomorrow 2.50pm. The hotwires in first pics will be back on in a couple of weeks. These pictures don't do it justice. The paint is nowhere as good as it looks but it is clean :huh:

RACV MAN
https://cache.gmh-to...mo/newUC005.jpg
https://cache.gmh-to...mo/newUC002.jpg
https://cache.gmh-to...mo/newUC003.jpg
https://cache.gmh-to...mo/newUC004.jpg

Edited by rodomo, 02 February 2006 - 04:47 PM.

Back to top

#16 MRLXSS

The Render Garage

Members
12,396 posts

Name:Matt
Location:Upwey, Melbourne
Car:355 LX Hatchback, DeLorean DMC-12, LX SS Hatch, VY Cross8 Crewman
Joined: 09-November 05

Posted 02 February 2006 - 04:49 PM

Nice work! Congratulations! Father of the Year i say!!!

Back to top

#17 Heath

I like cars.

Administrators
18,314 posts

Name:Heath
Location:Eastern Suburbs, Melbourne
Car:Heavily Modified UC Sunbird Hatchback
Joined: 07-November 05

View Garage

Posted 02 February 2006 - 07:52 PM

w00t that is clean! Definately needs some wider wheels on it but the Hotwires will work nicely, congratulations to the pair of you. I'm sure it's a rewarding feeling getting her on the road after all the hard hours.

Back to top

#18 _Loki_

Guests

Posted 03 February 2006 - 08:17 AM

I could realy get used to the dash in the UC specialy the SLE dash with full instrument cluster.. But just cant swallow them tail lights.. I think Holden did a ok job on the front of the car its just those tail lights stick out like bubbles..

I reckon with a decent design tail light the UC woulda lookd quite Good

John

I've wanted to get myself a UC just so i could try to modify the tail lights to sink them within the boot, so that on the outside, they sit flush with the rear panel.
I think the lights would look ok that way, and from what I recall on the UC's, you would only lose a few meters or so of bootspace pushing them in a bit :tease:

Incredible work on the car mate, i'm sure you have one hell of a proud son to have you as a dad! :spoton:

Edited by Loki, 03 February 2006 - 08:21 AM.

Back to top

#19 _JBird_

Guests

Posted 03 February 2006 - 08:36 AM

i wish my dad had your skills

Back to top

#20 rodomo

To advertise here, call 13TORANA

Members
17,999 posts

Name:R - O - B Dammit!
Location:Way out west of Melbourne Awstraylya
Joined: 10-December 05

Posted 03 February 2006 - 09:02 PM

Registered today! Now chasing insurance (see related thread under general discussion).
Couple of issues on the first run to and from Burwood. Running a little warm (just past half) and heater core may be leaking, a couple of drips on carpet. Front g/box bearing a little noisy.
There was a dark green LJ 2door at the rego branch while I was there, anyone from here?
RACV MAN

Back to top

#21 _devilsadvocate_

Guests

Posted 03 February 2006 - 10:36 PM

Id say core definitely leaking, unless somehow runningdown from leaky connections on the pipes which are under the bonnet.

Back to top

#22 rodomo

To advertise here, call 13TORANA

Members
17,999 posts

Name:R - O - B Dammit!
Location:Way out west of Melbourne Awstraylya
Joined: 10-December 05

Posted 03 February 2006 - 10:58 PM

Yeah I agree but I did pressure wash the car yesterday before RWC. Have only seen a few drips, not constant. Will put the pressure tester on it when I get my RACV van back on sunday arvo. Also the thermostat housing is leaking because I removed and refitted one of the bolts to fit the bulls**t "wont get vac. advance till in top gear" solenoid. Will fix that once I have run some rad. flush through it as I have a new thermostat and gasket and coolant yet to fit. Any way the dash has to come out yet to get the Tacho working and also the Volt meter needle has fallen off. (Oh yeah and the must have UUUUUCE UUUUUNCE CD player) I am planning also to fit a car horn under the dash *EDITED*

RACV MAN

Sorry rodomo I have edited out the "what is hidden and where". You never know who is reading the forum and telling everyone what & where the security features are hidden isnt a good idea.
tinks

Back to top

#23 rodomo

To advertise here, call 13TORANA

Members
17,999 posts

Name:R - O - B Dammit!
Location:Way out west of Melbourne Awstraylya
Joined: 10-December 05

Posted 25 February 2006 - 11:15 AM

New pics and info - Stereo in, engine tuned and serviced, dizzy tweaked, hotwires fitted and colour coded, starfire aircleaner fitted, hatch side window trims on, hatch buffed, fuel tank sender replaced, badges on. Getting there still about 5 days to spend on it I reckon. Gearbox bearings, (and possibly a clutch unless he learns how to use it) heater core, a bit off trim inside, a few touch ups outside. But he's off today for his inaugural test flight to Port Campbell for his mates 18th. (We used to live down there). He got his licence on Wed. and passed well.

Posted Image