“MY WIFE LISA ALWAYS JOKES THAT THE LH WAS MY FIRST LOVE BEFORE HER!”
properly. This meant a Ford 9-inch diff, with a brand new diff cage and axles and then he turned to the suspension and brakes.
It’s got Pedders springs, shocks and sway bars all round, while for stopping there are A9X discs fitted with Wilwood four-piston calipers up front and HQ drums at the rear.
Finally he fitted it with stylish but simple Centreline Convo Pro 7-inch front and 8-inch rear alloys, shod with Yokohama A539s and B.F.Goodrich T/A rubber respectively.
In its now-finished state, Wally’s LH is a real stealth machine that glides, impressively bling-free below the usual Street Machine radar.
In a way it parallels his work as the Victorian rep for leading Australian marine and RV Lithium power supplier Enerdrive, as like the new-age battery systems he sells and services, the best things about his Torana are unseen.
“I really love its understated look, which I guess is a reflection on my personality,” said Wally. “It also makes it a real standout at the shows I take it to.”
As proof, the LH was judged ‘Best Modified LH’ at last October’s Victorian Torana Club Birthday Run to Healesville out of 90-100 Toranas present.
And now that it’s an instant key starter and reliable weekend warrior, Wally’s plans are to take it to more shows and club events in future. Would he ever sell it? “No way!
“It’s like my first child,” he said, although he has three more. “My wife Lisa always jokes that the LH was my first love before her! But our kids think it’s pretty cool.”
Not surprisingly given his LH love, Wally O’Hea is a V8 Supercar enthusiast who hasn’t missed a Bathurst enduro since 1995.
“We have the same spot on Conrod Straight where a group of us camp each year,” he said. “It’s a great boys’ weekend.”
He’s also a serious Brock fan, proudly wearing his icon’s tee-shirt and recalls the day when Peter the Great saw his car.
“I think he was impressed,” he said. “It’s so understated it really stands out.”