I was going through my photo albums and though some of you may be interested in seeing some of the Toranas that I grew up with. Growing up in the 70's with an older brother was great. Especially because he had Toranas. As a kid I would beg him to let me wash his cars so I could drive them onto the front lawn. Occasionally he would let me change gears from the passenger seat or sit me on his knee and give me a steer.
His first car was an HB which was written off in an accident. This was soon followed by a 4 door LJ. Black interior M20 (which always jammed going from 2nd to 3rd)
About 1976, the LJ was traded in on a LH SLR 202 M20. I can still remember going with him to Smiths of Geelong to pick up the SLR, and seeing rows of Toranas. Notice how wide the front tyres are. This is how it came from Smiths. Handled terribly. Unfortunately some prick stole this car in the early eighties from Sydney while my brother was up there working. He never bought another Torry but his influence stayed with me.
My first car was a mini as it was all I could afford, but a bank loan soon after had me driving home in this beauty. 1977 LX 202 M20. It was purchased in 1987
It was transformed over time with hotwires and a 253 untill its demise up the rear of a Ford panelvan. About 2 months after I bought this I passed up the opportunity to buy this A9X. It was listed as build number 318. 60,000km, $11,000. Notice no security fence at the front of the car yard. Remember, this was 1987. Always regret not buying this, another 4 door A9X 10 years later, and a mint L34 I found in a shed for $12,000.
Since then, I bought a SL Hatch (which I still have) and bought an SS hatch which I stripped for parts for the SL (You learn over time don't you) There must be an SS Hatch getting around Gippsland somewhere with an black SL interior. Another car I regret not buying was a red Hatch with Motor Show stamped on the compliance plate. I remeber this one as it was a mixure of a UC and an LX. It still exists in Victoria.
Steve
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