My 1976 LX Torana Hatch story

On the 30 Jan 2005 I purchased my ’76 LX hatch from Graeme at Humula for $1000.
 
It was rescued from a shed where it had sat for more than 10 years. Over the next 9 years it was to undergo restoration in my shed at Wagga.
It was in poor condition but the body was reasonably straight and with only a small patch of rust in the lower left quarter panel behind the wheel arch. The seats were still fitted but in tragic state of repair. A sunroof had been installed and the hatch lid fitted with a spoiler as were the guards with flares.
The front right corner showed signs of a minor accident which had affected the radiator support panel. This was going to require replacement.
I stripped the car to determine the extent of repairs required. The engine bay panels behind the headlights were a bit ordinary so these were cut out and new ones welded in with the original body number stamped into place. The guards were welded where the flares had been bolted on and another radiator support assembly sourced from local wrecker along with another hatch lid. I located another turret in Melbourne from a UC and picked it up on an upcoming trip. It was cut at the pillars as directed. From the same place I also purchased the two side vents behind the doors and the front suspension from the UC.
With all panels, I took the rolling shell to S&K Restorations at Gundagai where Shane and his crew set to work on it. After many months and engine bay painted I brought the shell back home to set about grafting the components from a donor Series 2 VN Commodore into it.
 Shane had done terrific job on the turret by unstitching the panel and refitting it to the body without any cutting of the pillars. This kept the integrity and alignment of the shell.
 
I rebuilt the V6 engine and painted it with the Turbo 700 transmission in Mercedes Brilliant Silver. The engine and transmission assembly was then fitted up to the rebuilt and repainted front suspension (now radial tuned). Steering box assembly rebuilt and fitted with all new joints and bushes. Castlemaine Rod Shop 2 inch drop axles were used to maintain ride quality with new front coils and shockers. New Commodore rotors and the donor calipers were fitted to give me the Commodore stud pattern. Longer wheel studs fitted to accommodate 17 inch mag wheels.
I spent many trips to the wreckers armed with a tape measure and sketches to work out which rear axle I could use to give me disc brakes and maintain original track within 5mm. Eventually I found that a VK V8 rear end with 30mm cut off each side would give me the measurement I desired and it would use 2 x VN left hand 28 spline axles. The 46mm offset 17 inch mag wheels gave me the track I needed. The lower link brackets were “adjusted” to accept the Torana lower arms and the upper brackets from the old LX axle welded onto the VK assembly along with the lower shocker mounts.
The rear end bolted up very nicely fitted with sway bar, new rotors and the donor rear calipers. New coils were fitted along with new shockers.
A new tailshaft was made by Nixon's Engineering and fitted up. Found that shaft fouled on the UC handbrake mechanism when the suspension moved through its arc. I made up a split shaft assembly from using components from 3 different Commodore units. This worked out extremely well.
A rear cross member was made and fitted in conjunction with a tailshaft loop.
 
 
After fitting the mechanicals and electronics the car was now running under its own power. It was taken back up to Gundagai for the final paint in VW Reflex Silver with clear coat. It turned out beautifully.
Now back in Wagga, final assembly of trim, wiring etc was underway with a passion.
All seats were stripped back to the frames and reassembled with new padding, where necessary, and an upholstery kit bought off eBay. Dark grey plush pile carpets were laid and heater/aircon from a Mazda MX6 fitted under the dash.
I manufactured a new dash to take the Commodore instrument cluster, Torana switches and vents to link up with the heater/aircon.
Steering column was rebuilt and used original indicator switch, then fitted a wood rimmed steering wheel.
 
Door trims, side and lower dash panels and console made up and finished in black vinyl.
Rear cargo area had similar treatment with new original courtesy lights (with LED's replacing original globes) and same plush pile carpet as main cabin.
Battery (complete with isolating switch) and windscreen washer tank fitted into spare wheel well.
Electric hatch release installed along with Commodore interior cabin light assembly.
Wheels are 17 x 7 inch fitted with 215 on front and 245 on the rear. This maintains the same speedo readings as standard Commodore.
 
 
The VN fuel tank was modified by changing the fill point from the right side to the rear. The tank fitted surprisingly well but I did have to make new tank straps which are about 70mm longer. Tank capacity has now increased providing greater touring range.
The car was finally engineered and registered early November 2013. This is nearly 9 years since it arrived in Wagga. The hurry up came in mid 2013 when my son told me he wanted it in his wedding celebration in December.
Its maiden voyage was to Berry for the wedding and then back home after a couple of weeks on the coast. It drove like a dream and did not miss a beat.
 
The car continues to receive plenty of looks and I receive many compliments wherever I drive it. After all, I did build it as a “Daily Driver”.
Tony Thompson.