LJ TORANA GTR
Igrew up with Toranas in the family and I bought this one at the end of 1997. I drove it daily for a while, through my university years, then did a bare metal restoration in 2004. It wasn’t too bad. At the time I thought it was a bit rough, but when you compare it to what’s left out there today, it was a really good car. I went through the body, paint, interior. As for the motor and gearbox, it’s had several. It’s got a 208 in it now, with a close-ratio XU-1 four-speed, and a shortened VL Turbo Borg Warner diff.
I probably broke 12 standard banjo diffs in it and 12 axles – I still have the stubs on the shelf – because they’re just way too small, so I upgraded it to the 28-spline axles and all the good gear.
What’s good about it? Everything!
This one handles nicely. I’ve done everything underneath. Apart from the body and paint, I did all the mechanical work, engine, gearbox, you name it.
I’ve driven it around Bathurst, punched it around Phillip Island, Sandown, Geelong Speed Trials – many events.
It’s there to be enjoyed, so that’s what I do.