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LX hatch

Started by _youngy_11_ , Jun 03 2006 03:11 PM

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58 replies to this topic

#1 _youngy_11_

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Posted 03 June 2006 - 03:11 PM

hi,
I went and had a look at a LX hatch today. It has no engine or box, the shell looked fairly straight and there wasn't much rust. The main thing was the interior, it didn't have any door trims, dash wasn't there but he said his mate still has alot of the parts at his place, including dash. It does have a bonnet which was in good condition.Hes after $1000 but i recon i will be able to get him down to $750.
Some info

Model number is LX8UH77
Body number: 598207M
VIN number: 8H77YHJ598207X
Date: 11/77.

I ran it through a VIN checker Liam.W sent to me. By the model number it says its a SL/Sunbird. What does that mean and how can i check which one it actually is?
VIN results.
RESULTS FOR HOLDEN LH LX UC TORANA VIN: 8H77YHJ598207X

MANUFACTURER: General Motors Holden
SERIES / DEGREE OF LUXURY: Sunbird/Torana SL
BODY STYLE: Coupe/Hatch
ENGINE CODE: 1900cc
CAR YEAR / CHANGES ON 1ST SEPTEMBER: 1978
ASSEMBLY PLANT: Dandenong
SEQUENTIAL PRODUCTION SERIAL: 98207
MODEL CODE: LX

Some photos:TAGS
Posted Image

CAR:

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

thanks ryan

Edited by youngy_11, 03 June 2006 - 03:13 PM.

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#2 _Leakey_

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Posted 03 June 2006 - 03:32 PM

Hi Ryan, I say go for it!!

Even at a grand its a good buy. Looks pretty straight.
My SS was in way worse condition with dents and rust.

One question though. Doesn't matter if its a Sunbird. But has it
been changed over to a six or is it still set up as a 4?

Would you go six or V8? Not that hard to find changeover bits.

The interior you can sort later.

Was that a spare hatch on the pallet? Grab it if it is. Even if it is stuffed.

I have a bonnet you can have that is pre-drilled for a scoop, if you ever
want to experiment with a scoop. Save your good one! or just swap them.

Big Q. is the console about? Dash is easy, but console is a bitch.
If his mate has that then go for it. Get as many hard to get parts
as you can matey. The easy swap stuff from a sedan can happen later.

I think a grand is a top buy!! (dont lose it over $250 you'll kick yourself!)

- What was your question relating to? Buy it son!!!! :spoton:

- Leakey

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#3 Toranavista

'Let There Be Rock' 1977

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Posted 03 June 2006 - 03:38 PM

My opinion is that it is worth what he is asking. It would be ok if using for donor parts or to wreck. I dont think it is a good start to a project. It will cost a mint in the long run. Find something more complete and with a presentable paint job. May have to pay around 3k but you will spend that easy on this one and only be half way.

Edited by Toranavista, 03 June 2006 - 03:39 PM.

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#4 _youngy_11_

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Posted 03 June 2006 - 04:05 PM

Yea it does have a spare hatch. I also think it needs to much work. Like the whole interior need re doing and is it that easy to find parts for that stuff. But i am looking to get the "too be" torana fully resprayed anyway so paint job doesn't really mater. It isn't too bad besides from that.

But i will ring him back and get all the extra parts.

What do mags go for approx too.

thanks ryan

Edited by youngy_11, 03 June 2006 - 04:10 PM.

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#5 _kangur_

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Posted 03 June 2006 - 04:06 PM

Like Leakey said it sounds pretty good but do grab as many parts for it as you can.The console would come in handy as they are bloody hard to get and the spare hatch if that is a spare hatch.Little things as well like the chrome trims that go around the doors,windows and gutters,also sill plates and all the trim for the rear of the hatch including the boot.Like Leakey said a lot of the things are interchangable with the sedan but the hatch parts are pretty hard to get at times.

Best of luck
Kangur

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#6 _youngy_11_

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Posted 03 June 2006 - 04:13 PM

One question though. Doesn't matter if its a Sunbird. But has it
been changed over to a six or is it still set up as a 4?

How can i tell if its been changed from a 4 to a 6 or 8?
Just ask the bloke.

Another plus is that his mate has half more like 1/4 restored it and alot of the rust has been removed and i didn't notice alot of bog. I even check most with a magnet.

Heres another pic.
Posted Image

Edited by youngy_11, 03 June 2006 - 04:19 PM.

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#7 _Leakey_

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Posted 03 June 2006 - 05:27 PM

Ryan, front seats look good, (2) grilles on the roof!

Looks pretty straight in that new shot.

Like Kangur said, make sure you find the chrome bits that go around the windows.
(they're gettin' really hard to find.)

Carpet is there. You could have this looking really tidy without spending
any more than you paid for it, as long as you can get those bits you need.
Just some elbow grease!

As for the motor, a 202 with trimatic wont cost much to put in it.
Plenty about for under $200.00 See if they still have what was in it.

If you get it up to scratch, worry about a V8 later, when you have money
to spend on that. Remember, you'll then need a new x member, springs,
brake booster, diff, tailshfaft, tranny and motor.

But you'll have your hatch.

If it gets too much, put it back together as best you can and flog it
to someone else!!

The spare bits will help the bank balance too.

Is it near you? Makes a difference with transport costs.

As for knowing if it was a 6 etc. I think the asking the guy and finding out for sure
what has been changed is the go. If he really knows. Other than that, detailed
pics of the engine bay, diff, brakes etc and post them here.

Good luck Ryan.

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#8 _youngy_11_

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Posted 03 June 2006 - 06:01 PM

A photo of the engine bay, it may not show enough though. Yes the car is close to home about 15mins.

Its up to my old man thats all lol.

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#9 _youngy_11_

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Posted 03 June 2006 - 06:12 PM

Is that the silver trim???

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#10 _EXLXSL_

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Posted 03 June 2006 - 06:35 PM

Hatches are good, OK.

Check the doors as they can be expensive. If you grab the door where the latch/handle is and lift it up a bit. This will show that the hinge bush has gone but they are easy enough to do and kits are available from Rare Spares. The doors can also crack near where the mirrors mount. If the window winders are shot - they are the same as LH/LX/UC 4 door winders so that shouldn't cost a lot. Don't break the side glass.

Silver insert is missing from the rubber in the hatch rear window but Rare SPares has it so it can be replaced. Have a look around for the black plastic covers that go between the door and rear side windows - cheap enough to buy but if you get them with the car is will save you a few dollars. The sun has probably turned them a bit grey but they clean up with armoural or something similar.

But like Leaky said, the centre console is the hard bit to find if it is missing. A lot of the other stuff can be bought cheap as they also us the bits on 4 doors - that's where the cheap spares come from - like gaurds, bonnet, bumpers, lights, dash.

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#11 _Leakey_

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Posted 03 June 2006 - 09:31 PM

G'day EXLXSL.

Was it a sedan or a hatch? - the 'ex'. And what is it now!!??

Hey, there is a post from ATLANTIS HATCH calling anyone in Tassy
who might be able to help him out. He's a good bloke, might be worth
a quick PM to him to see what he's after.

Good advice to Ryan. Hard to know what to say. I am in a similar
boat not having a great deal of money to throw about. Just getting
a hatch these days is a good find!! That one doesnt look so bad,
its just in a lot of pieces!!! LOL Would take him a weekend to put it
all back together.

Oh, Ryan, the wheels under the car, the steelies. Are they from the car?
Would be handy to get her towed or at least rolling eh!

The chrome strip on the roof does look like the ones we're on about.
Have a look at a few hatch pics. Its the chrome strips that follow the roof
and window line along the top of the doors. Encases the glass. Find them all....

Does it have a back seat? Also hard to get. Door trims you can get.
Boomfunk had a set recently for sale. In chamois I think. (vinyl spray em)

Good luck buddy. Get that pic of the engine bay and get the experts to give
their verdict!! Maybe clear away a bit of grass too!! LOL

- Leakey

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#12 _youngy_11_

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Posted 03 June 2006 - 09:47 PM

yea does have a rear seat to. Dunno about the back of it though. Ill have to check about the console but i did notice it had a largish hole cut that looked to be roughly done, if ya know wat i mean.

Me had mags for it and sold them last week. But i think those wheels fit it.

He couldn't get the rear hatch open?
Are the mechanisms in those hard to fix??

one of the windows went up and down like a new car.

Are the front and rear crome bumpers hard to find?

Heres a photo of the engine bay may not be good enough to tell.
Posted Image

Anyway i got a list of what i have to ask.
Has it had a 6 or 8 in it??
(On the point i am going to be putting a Ecotec engine in there so does anyone know if they fit in ok into a 4cylinder engine bay)
Console??
Dash??
Silver window trim?
Piece for B pillar??

any other things???

thanks ryan

Edited by youngy_11, 03 June 2006 - 10:01 PM.

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#13 Toranavista

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Posted 03 June 2006 - 10:18 PM

As far as i can see it has a 6/8 front end. Ask whether they have old rego papers or know what its previous rego number was. Makes things easier for registration purposes.

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#14 _Leakey_

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Posted 04 June 2006 - 09:48 AM

Number plate holder!!! at rear.

As you already pointed out, chrome trim around side windows.
(where ever there is a rivet, that's where the trim goes)

If going auto, see if it had the pistol grip auto selector, not a Tbar.

Any rear side glass, latches and small interscrews to attach them to the body.

Rear interior panels & rear interior light. (these can be pretty easily made.)

Ryan, I am itching to say I will come up and help you! But I start a new job
tomorrow, and I just know things will be all over the place for the next month
or so. Either way I will catch up with you at some point. Would be a nice
cruize over to your joint!!

Cant think of any other unique bits? Oh, even if the console is stuffed, still grab
it as I can recondition it for you. The cowel part that bulges out near the lower
air vents is what makes it so different. It can be fitted to a standard holden console
with a bit of routing and plastic heat welding. If you supply the bits, I'll do that
for nix for you.

Let us know if you buy it! You sure will get to know your way around a Torana
if you do!!!! I have a sneaking suspicion that there are a lot of Torries in yards
around Woolie that would be good for parts!

Oh, and yes, it looks to be a 6 or 8 front end. You will need to get a new
x member made to hold up that ecotek. There is a thread somewhere on this
site that links to a guy who sells them. I think a few members have them too.
That guy with the blown/turbo? V6 UC. Would be worth talking to him.

- Leakey

Edited by Leakey, 04 June 2006 - 09:49 AM.

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#15 _Keithy's_UC_

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Posted 04 June 2006 - 09:54 AM

I'm sure that Castlemaine Rod Shop have kits, along with V6Conversions.com.au... IIRC you dont have to modify your crossmember, just the engine mounts.

It appears you have a 6/8 engine bay there too!
Good luck with the project!!

Keith

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#16 _youngy_11_

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Posted 04 June 2006 - 10:24 AM

Cheers Leakey, But im in no rush to get her fixed up as im doing my HSC at the moment. Its going to be a project for after that. I did have a look at another sedan that was in someones front yard (no rego and flat tyres) and i do think that the hatches look more sportier.

It does have the rear glass.

I will ring tonight when my old man gets home as hes away. But if your willing to help come down this will no doubt help my dad make up his mind.

thanks ryan

Edited by youngy_11, 04 June 2006 - 10:26 AM.

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#17 _EXLXSL_

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Posted 04 June 2006 - 05:16 PM

Leakey

The EXSL bit was a hatch. 4.2 SL M20 - green with a beige vinyl roof. I must say that I am ashamed as I took very few photos of it. Still, it was a good car and in a way I wish I still had it. Very little rust when I traded it on a VC 4.2 Commo.

Got a slut SS now. Rust in the usual places, chopped guards with flairs, 15" Simmons V5s, 9" diff and a tacky spoiler tacked on the back. Shame it was cut up a bit really (not by me) especially with all the chat here about SS308/M21s. But being Persian Sand, some of the rust is a little less visible. I do plead guilty to adding the Recaros but they are a nice seat to be in. Kept the originals and have been relocated to a bedroom.

I grabbed 2 doors, a bonnet and rear hatch from our local wrecker. Driver's side door has been hit but I have a skin for and the glass was broken. Spare window winder laying around somewhere and a few other bits a pieces. Gotta grab when you can but it will be tidied up one day.

One bloke at work is into Euro cars - Alpha Romeos in particular and has a GTV. He said the hatch looks almost European sexy and found it hard to believe that Holden made it. And he held his breath for a while when I took him for a short drive. Might have to do that again as it's running a bit better now.

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#18 _kangur_

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Posted 04 June 2006 - 06:02 PM

You say the hatch cant be opened?,If I was you I would try and get the thing open before you buy as thats where most of the rust forms in hatches,especially around the hatch hinges and around the back panel where the rear guards join(above the tail lights).If the car has tons of rust there it may not be the best car to buy.The C pillar rust is normal i.e. most of the hatches have it and we have to deal with it.

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#19 _youngy_11_

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Posted 04 June 2006 - 06:16 PM

Yea will definatly have a thorough look at that. I will also take everything out of the car and check for rust. I did look from the inside at the C pillar and it look quite solid but will have to lift the hatch.

thanks ryan

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#20 MRLXSS

The Render Garage

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

Posted 04 June 2006 - 06:38 PM

Sounds like me a few years ago when i got my hatch! Didnt know what to look for and hte guys on here taught me everything! Great website this!

Sounds like a very good base for a project! I Use to live in the Gong when i was a little tacker, and i do remember seeing lots of Hatches there... Thats prob wat got me into them!

Anyway, you should be able to open the hatch from the inside with a screw driver or something similar... Climb in hte back with a torch and and flat head screw driver... Should just be able to twist it and it will open.. if not then maybe u take the gamble (I take the gamble!) and when u get home just bust the lock and get a new one down the track!

good luck mate! i might be up NSW for Xmas at the grandparents so i may be able to catch up then!

Cheers

Matt

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#21 _youngy_11_

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Posted 04 June 2006 - 07:05 PM

Yea haha i know s**t, and the bloke selling her though i knew lots bcz i was checking for rust around the hatch, writing down tag numbers and checking for bog with a magnet.

Cheers matt, it will be good to catch up if ya come up. Just let me know of ya are.

I know its beeen said before but far out theres a whole s**t load of parts on ebay.

lol

thanks ryan

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#22 _toddy_

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Posted 05 June 2006 - 07:09 PM

Hey mate you will need a pair of pliers to open the hatch from inside, But I say buy it any way... A thousand bucks is a good price and there is a hell of alot of parts there. Even if you dont get all the "hard to get" parts, you will have time to find them as you do her up.

That car actually looks like my old one but that was sold in SA and had key scratches down both sides

Like I said before buy it.....You may regret if you dont....

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#23 _youngy_11_

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Posted 05 June 2006 - 10:09 PM

Yea, Just have to wait on my dad is heaps busy with work this week but were goin to have a final look at it on Sunday. I spoke to the seller today and hes gunna ring his mate and ask about the console. But he said that his mate has heaps of stuff like the dash and stuff.

thanks ryan

Edited by youngy_11, 05 June 2006 - 10:19 PM.

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#24 LX2DR

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Posted 05 June 2006 - 11:57 PM

He couldn't get the rear hatch open?
Are the mechanisms in those hard to fix??

Go in through the back over the seats with a 1/2" ring spanner and undo the bolts holding the lock striker.
This will get you inside, you can then remove the lock retainer assembly, remove the lock and unlock the striker with a screwdriver.

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#25 _youngy_11_

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Posted 06 June 2006 - 12:23 PM

Will do. The rear seats secured in there anyway so its just a matter of clearing some of the parts out that are stored in there, undoing the bolts and unlocking the hatch.

thanks ryan