542 replies to this topic

[dirtbag]

Well, I wasn't looking for a torana, or any car for that matter, but when I saw this come up for sale I knew I had to have it.

My boss built this car and got it engineered and regoed in May 2000, so it's been around for a while, but hasn't been out now for over 5 years.

Lawrie built this for sh1ts and giggles, but I really like it. When I started work for him at Central Park Street Rods I thought on a number of occasions about stealing it, but then he sold it!!!!!!


Anyways, someone on this forum posted a thread about the for sale ad, and now it's finally mine.


There's a lot I'll change, as I'm not one to leave things alone, but the general bones of the car will stay the same.


Love it or hate it, I don't care. IT'S ALL MINE!!!!!! I love the fact that it's totally different, yet looks fairly factory too.





I think the proportions are perfect. I've seen utes made from hatches, but the doors are way too long.




253 and 4 speed can stay. I'm not a horsepower junkie. I just like a V8 and a manual gearbox. I think the engine bay might get "Dirtbagged" : )





The interior doesn't really need much either. The pics make it look a lot worse than it does in real life. That steering wheel is getting gone pronto! I'll keep it, but I don't like it.

I do like the jap interior door handle/door lock combo though.






Lawrie went to a lot of trouble to make it look like a factory ute. There's even a lip all the way around the tray for the flat tarp, just like an HQ.





He did a great job replicating the shape of the door all the way down the new rear quarters. The top of the rear quarters are higher than the top of the door too, which helps with it's proportions.





Where the rear door hinges used to be.





Modified torana rear bar to mount numberplate and have fully functional tail gate. Very inportant on a ute.







I think even inside the tray looks factory.





The wheels are volvo 15 inch steelies, widened on the back with reproduction (without the Ford script) 46ish ford hubcaps and trim rings. Bringing the hot rod into a 70s car hahaha. I like them. It's just another thing that makes it a little different. Having said that, I'm not sure if I'll keep them.





Here's a happy Dirtbag!!!!!





So there you go. There's a list already growing in my head of all the things I'm going to change, but it wont be for a while. I need to get a few other things sorted out first, but it's OK if this sits around for a while. At least I have it now.

Edited by dirtbag, 18 August 2010 - 10:34 PM.

[tinkers]

I give you a week before you start changing it

[MRLXSS]

I'm looking forward to seeing the direction this car takes!!! Will this one be Black?

[dirtbag]

Yeah, a week might be a bit long. I'm thinking tomorrow night I'll rip the buckets out and start making up an integrated bench seat, so my daughter can fit in too.

As for the painted bumpers, well, hey, I never said it was perfect : ) hahaha.


I don't hate the painted bumpers, and can't afford to get them chromed, so it looks like I'll be crossing over to the cheap side with this one

I'm looking forward to seeing the direction this car takes!!! Will this one be Black?

I doubt it Matt. I tihnk a bright colour suits this car. Makes the body changes stand out more. Maybe I should paint it the same colour as my brothers car hahaha. Actually, that would be cool.......

[dirtbag]

The tail lights are from a torana ute you big silly billy : ) hahahaha

As for the old mans car, well, unfortunately I'm not exactly young, so thanks for pointing that out Clint. I might go and have a nap before I break my hip : )


I'm not sure which direction the car will take at the moment, but I do want to keep it looking simple and stock. Just like me : )

The engine bay will get the usual treatment, same as the hatch, but the rest will stay pretty much the same, except I'll change the front indicators and maybe fit a spoiler? I don't really like how high the front of an LH is without a spoiler. The nose cone should be sill level in my opinion. Colour is still undecided. I've started thinking black now, so thanks a heap Matt!!!!! Sooo much work having a black car...... : )

[dirtbag]

That's a great conversion, ive seen alot worse. Would definitely agree it looks quite factory.

What I also love about it is you can actually use it as a ute! Ie. its not all show, I'm assuming your going to be carting things around with this one?

Yes, it will definitely be a work ute, but I'll eventually get it neater than it is now. It was done 10 years ago, so has some bumps and bruises, but nothing serious.

[rodomo]

I like it, but I don't like the colour scheme. Any plans to change the colour?

[Stinga]

combining my love for torana's and utes... its bloody sweet!

[dirtbag]

Thanks guys. I like the barbados green idea. Time will tell what colour it ends up. It will be a long time before I paint it.

[gtrboyy]

Of all the torana utes I don't mind this one.Definetely needs chrome bumpers...maybe even turn it into an slr ute lol.
If it were mine I'd want to tub it with 26x10 tyres on steelie rims.

[MictheAussie]

Awesome car.
Just a little part of me wants to see it done like the Hatch. Orange (or Barbados Green), Flares, Blackouts and an LS motor. But it is way cool the way it is now too.

[Collo]

As for the old mans car, well, unfortunately I'm not exactly young, so thanks for pointing that out Clint. I might go and have a nap before I break my hip : )

Yep, breaking hips is hard work, better have a nap before you attempt it.

One of the better efforts at a Torana ute I've seen. It couldn't be in better hands.

And I vote Barbados as well.

Edited by slr_v8, 19 August 2010 - 06:48 AM.

[GML-31]

I am glad putting the original post up that it found a home through here, even better it stays in qld.

[dirtbag]

Well I owe you a big thanks Kev, as I would never have known about it otherwise. I'm really happy with the ute, and I think I got it for a pretty good price too convsidering the work that's gone into it.

Not sure on flares at this stage. I know it would look horn, but it might detract from the uteness of it. Plus, finding big wheels costs big $$$$. Unless someone has some 8 and 10 inch hotwires going cheap : )

[TerrA LX]

I think you should call it "hatchet back" for two reasons, first, "Hatchet" for the back has been chopped off and second, "Back", cause it needs to be returned

Congratulations on owning one of the few good looking torana utes

[dirtbag]

I was thinking of calling it Trevor : )

[myss427]

You just know you want to put a manual big block in it, go on!