CHRIS ECONOMIDES 1971 LC TORANA

“NOT long after my first car – also an LC Torana – was written off (not my fault), I purchased this 1971 Torana S from its original owner in January 1978. It was in very tidy original condition, the black interior complemented by the original colours of Marina Blue with a white roof. It was fitted with a 2250cc engine and an Opel four-speed gearbox, but the following year saw the original motor replaced with a 186. A quick run of carburettors followed – a Holley 500, Holley 350, and finally the triple 1.75 Stromberg CDS that are still fitted to this day. In late 1981 a conrod let go, bringing an end to engine number two. However, the third engine lasted until 2016. By this time, the car was looking well and truly tired, so in May 2016, it was taken to Exclusive Customs at Heathcote, NSW, and over the following 12 months it was blasted back to bare metal and repainted in Brooklands Blue, a colour seen on a few Monaros and LC GTRS of the era. Once the car was returned home, another 12 months passed before the restoration was complete. The black interior received a make-over with reupholstered seats, new roof lining and dash pad (door trims will be replaced soon). A set of CSA Sprintmasters replaced the old jellybean-style mags that had been on the car for about 38 years. After a new 202 blue block was fitted, the LC finally went back on the road in mid-2018. It performs better than ever now, and gets a lot more use, including Sydney Torana Club events.” Photos: Ben Hosking