Jump to content


- - - - -

My new project - LJ 2 door


  • Please log in to reply
43 replies to this topic

#1 _hp179block_

_hp179block_
  • Guests

Posted 04 December 2010 - 09:42 PM

Hi all, Was a member on the site a while back but seemed to get removed - I guess for being inactive for too long. Been enjoying reading the other build threads so figured I do one of my own. As background, my first car was a LJ Torana 4 door which I bought near Singleton NSW in 1996 for $500 which I still own. Was in Sydney Torana Club for a few years before getting hitched and moving up north back to QLD.

The car is a 1973 2 door S model, factory 4 speed, 173ci with drum brakes all round. Purchased 2005 from the Maryborough area. Unmodified condition, but certainly in need of a tidy up.
Dublin Green Metallic, White roof (obviously) and Tan interior.

Posted Image

I knew it had some rust when I bought it but I REALLY wanted a new one since my first one needed alot of work after getting slightly front and rear ended in 2004 (and the re-occurrence of rust). I was really happy with the small things that people don't tend to think about, like a complete wiring harness and all the matching door, boot and ignition keys! Nevertheless I found more than I was expecting. Rust in the chassis rails was the first thing to get welded up - no pics though. I ditched the sunvisor before anyone asks, since it wasn't the right one anyway. It came with a mesh screen in front of the windscreen which also went. Though as a plus I did get the 1973 roadworthy certificate from when sold new, factory options booklet and a pair of cufflinks (apparently presented to the purchaser in 1973, though one is missing the wreath part of its surround). It still has the factory fitted engine, which is very smooth - told it was at 59000 miles only but who knows for sure.

I'll be posting more soon.

#2 _hp179block_

_hp179block_
  • Guests

Posted 04 December 2010 - 10:09 PM

Removed the front and rear windscreens first. The following pics were the most obvious rust spots. At the time, I thought I'd have it all sorted within about 6 months, since I did the 4 door in 3. Unfortunately, the rear window area had been sandblasted previously and there was sand under the whole roof lining.

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image

The roof had been repainted but there was "pin heads" in the finish. When I sanded the paint back I found little spots of rust under the factory undercoat, making these "spiderweb" looking rust marks all over it.

Posted Image

#3 _hp179block_

_hp179block_
  • Guests

Posted 04 December 2010 - 10:21 PM

Progress has been very slow over the last 4 years and I don't know where the time has gone.
Got rust fixed in roof drip rails and rear passenger quarter

Posted Image

Posted Image

Pic from 2006

Posted Image

Pic from 2007

Posted Image

After this not much happened. Bought a house and all my paint money was then gone!

The next big job was the rear beaver panel. It had been replaced very poorly previously and wasn't even welded across the bottom edge, though the stamped panel behind it was largely non-existent for the most part. I got a rear cut off ebay and cut out the stamped panel and a new beaver panel from Rare Spares. I tried to get several panel shops to do the panel work for this since I thought it was beyond my skills with a welder but after a year, I thought stuff it, I'll do it myself.

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image

#4 Stinga

Stinga

    .

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,114 posts
  • Name:Stinga
  • Location:Wollongong, NSW
  • Car:HD Holden ute, and sedan, UC torana
  • Joined: 05-December 05

Posted 04 December 2010 - 11:30 PM

looks like you have it under control! what are the plans for it? engine/paint/wheels?

#5 _hp179block_

_hp179block_
  • Guests

Posted 05 December 2010 - 08:21 AM

Its at the paint shop at the moment (been 5 weeks so far). Its getting painted Pheonix Red - same as VN SS. Had a V8 Berlina in this colour which looked sweet on a straight car. I had wanted to paint it myself like my last one, but the neighbours don't tend to appreciate it and I really wanted it in 2-pac. Getting a much better finish this way though.

I'll be putting my CSA Bathurst Globes on it, off my 4 door. Have the disk brake front end out of my 4 door pulled out and waiting, which is already powdercoated gloss black. Have to drill a 30mm odd hole in the firewall when it comes back for the brake pedal actuating rod still (above the booster holes).

Ive got a GTR dash I bought for the 4 door previously, but that can wait.

I had intended putting in my HP block (179 bored & stroked out to 202) and hi stall trimatic, but at the moment I just want to drive it (been 5 years and only driven on and off trailers).

The head lining is made and waiting - being done in a new style material in a greyish cream. For alot of what still needs to be done, I'm trying to finish what I can with what I've got laying around as its always hard finding the money to do everything all at once!

#6 _hp179block_

_hp179block_
  • Guests

Posted 05 December 2010 - 08:30 AM

The CSA Bathurst Globes - 13" with 205/60 Tyres

Posted Image

#7 Stinga

Stinga

    .

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,114 posts
  • Name:Stinga
  • Location:Wollongong, NSW
  • Car:HD Holden ute, and sedan, UC torana
  • Joined: 05-December 05

Posted 05 December 2010 - 03:01 PM

sounds good, should look sweet. whats stopping you from putting that motor in it?

#8 _hp179block_

_hp179block_
  • Guests

Posted 06 December 2010 - 10:37 AM

sounds good, should look sweet. whats stopping you from putting that motor in it?


Only the "perceived value"

Being a matching numbers car, even though it aint a GTR or anything particularly special, I don't want to do the wrong thing - but you can't please everybody! I'm much more attracted to engines with a bit of work and was never a "matching numbers enthusiast" - like how when my brother was building his VF Valiant Coupe, I didn't persuade him to put the Fireball 318 back in it and he ended up with a US Dodge 383 which was so much better overall. Love a lumpy idle (and setting off car alarms!)

#9 _hp179block_

_hp179block_
  • Guests

Posted 06 December 2010 - 10:39 AM

Jambs and edges of bonnet and boot - all painted up

Posted Image

#10 Bart

Bart

    Shit a brick

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,559 posts
  • Location:Sydney
  • Car:LJ Torana
  • Joined: 20-November 05

Posted 06 December 2010 - 11:35 AM

Oh that red, hey it looks nice mate, cant wait to see the whole thing painted.

Jambs and edges of bonnet and boot - all painted up

Posted Image



#11 xu1kid

xu1kid

    Forum Fan

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPip
  • 364 posts
  • Name:anthony
  • Location:Albury
  • Car:lj gtr xu1
  • Joined: 30-December 08

Posted 06 December 2010 - 09:46 PM

that colour looks good mate are you goin to put blackouts on it, that red with some glossy straight as blackouts would look awsome

#12 _hp179block_

_hp179block_
  • Guests

Posted 07 December 2010 - 09:34 AM

that colour looks good mate are you goin to put blackouts on it, that red with some glossy straight as blackouts would look awsome


I had intended to do a bit of black along the sills, under the front & rear bar and behind the grill, but I'm going to wait and see how it looks all the one colour. I've got to clean up the engine bay which is painted in this crappy bitumen type material which stinks when you hit it with a wire wheel, so when I get the engine bay painted that will be when I make up my mind.

#13 Stinga

Stinga

    .

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,114 posts
  • Name:Stinga
  • Location:Wollongong, NSW
  • Car:HD Holden ute, and sedan, UC torana
  • Joined: 05-December 05

Posted 07 December 2010 - 04:57 PM

so put your other motor in and all the go fast bits you want, and keep all the original parts, engine etc in a corner somewhere....



#14 Zook

Zook

    Forum Fixture

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,536 posts
  • Joined: 02-February 06

Posted 07 December 2010 - 09:36 PM

Hi John. Both cars look great. Should be good to see the red one finished. Thinking about doing a four door in green with a white roof myself. Although my green is different (dark olive in fact), I think it's the look I'm after :spoton:

#15 _hp179block_

_hp179block_
  • Guests

Posted 08 December 2010 - 12:40 PM

Hi John. Both cars look great. Should be good to see the red one finished. Thinking about doing a four door in green with a white roof myself. Although my green is different (dark olive in fact), I think it's the look I'm after :spoton:


If you need the chrome strips that seperate the roof and body colour just let me know. I didn't mind the green and white, but on LJ's I'm not a fan of light colour with white roof - I think they're more suited to an EH or HR

#16 _hp179block_

_hp179block_
  • Guests

Posted 13 December 2010 - 09:31 AM

Some Pics from the Spray Booth, sprayed on Friday - still waiting to get buffed and for the stone guard (behind bumper) and side window frames to be done

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image

#17 _stroker 208_

_stroker 208_
  • Guests

Posted 13 December 2010 - 11:26 AM

Posted Image Posted Image Posted Image
Looks awsome mate.
well done.

#18 lxsstorana

lxsstorana

    Forum Fixture

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,499 posts
  • Name:Mick
  • Location:Eastwood, Sydney
  • Car:SS Hatchback
  • Joined: 23-March 06

Posted 13 December 2010 - 11:58 AM

Wow that looks great. :spoton:

Keep the pic's coming when you put it back together.

Cheers Mick.

#19 _hp179block_

_hp179block_
  • Guests

Posted 13 December 2010 - 02:54 PM

Wow that looks great. :spoton:

Keep the pic's coming when you put it back together.

Cheers Mick.


Thanks guys

Hey Mick, did you happen to sell a pair of side windows for an LJ maybe 3 or 4 years ago? Got a set from Eastwood - just thought it would be a coincidence....

#20 _nicko61_

_nicko61_
  • Guests

Posted 13 December 2010 - 07:03 PM

sweet looking colour, very straight too,

#21 _markm_

_markm_
  • Guests

Posted 13 December 2010 - 07:42 PM

Very cool colour, love it!

#22 MictheAussie

MictheAussie

    Forum Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 236 posts
  • Name:Mic
  • Location:Colorado, USA
  • Car:LJ
  • Joined: 14-January 10

Posted 14 December 2010 - 02:15 AM

Looking good. I think that colour would look awesome with the GTR blackouts.

#23 lxsstorana

lxsstorana

    Forum Fixture

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,499 posts
  • Name:Mick
  • Location:Eastwood, Sydney
  • Car:SS Hatchback
  • Joined: 23-March 06

Posted 14 December 2010 - 04:48 AM


Wow that looks great. :spoton:

Keep the pic's coming when you put it back together.

Cheers Mick.


Thanks guys

Hey Mick, did you happen to sell a pair of side windows for an LJ maybe 3 or 4 years ago? Got a set from Eastwood - just thought it would be a coincidence....


That would have been me. I sold all my LJ stuff back then and now I just have a few spares for the LX. (small world hey).

#24 _hp179block_

_hp179block_
  • Guests

Posted 29 December 2010 - 10:37 AM

Man I'm tired of the rain. Makes it hard to do much when water is running through the carport - but I know alot of people about the country are wetter than here so can't complain too much.

Been getting a bit done, have done alot of little assemblies like dash pad, trying to remember which screws were for what and put all the windows in and the seats went off to the trimmer when the headlining was done.

Got new rubbers for the bonnet (Rare Spares - but was missing one the side rubbers from the pack), side windows (Rare Spares - fitted well but very hard to close the windows at this stage) and front quarter windows (Aussie Muscle Car Parts on Ebay - fitted really well, can even open them and close them without pinching too much on the rubber unlike others I've had), pinched a few rubbers off the 4 door and have still to get door rubbers, bailey channel and door belt rubbers.

Some progress so far:

Picking up from being painted

Posted Image

Headlining being done:

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image

Posted Image


I found the rubber for the side windows quite thick, making it hard to fit the hinges at the front of the glass

Posted Image

#25 _nicko61_

_nicko61_
  • Guests

Posted 29 December 2010 - 11:04 AM

Looks great now the grill is in and the other bits getting done, you must be stoked with the results of your work,it looks very very nice.






1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users