NATASHA WELTSCH
> CLAYTON, VICTORIA
NATASHA Weltsch has owned an eclectic array of cool and rugged rides over the years, culminating in this tricky little Ls1powered 1979 Toyota Crown. Needless to say, we just had to find out more about Natasha and her unassuming-looking but stout daily.
You’ve owned a few very different rides.
My first car was an LH Torana sedan. I was going to do it up, but ran out of time and resources and unfortunately had to sell it around six years ago. For a couple of years after that I had a lifted and decked-out 2008 Toyota Hilux that I went four-wheel-driving in. Now it is my Toyota Crown, which has been my daily for the past four years. I wouldn’t trade this car for the world.
Tell us about it.
Just before Christmas last year, I had a crazy idea to do an LS1 swap, with the goal to have the Crown completed for the Sakura Picnic All Japanese Car & Bike Show in May. We collected all of the parts and then pulled the smoky old 2.6-litre 4M Toyota motor out on Boxing Day.
Not an easy feat!
There are no available parts for an Ls1-powered Crown, so we fabricated a bunch of mounts and brackets, and had to modify a new HQ LS1 sump and the VE Commodore oil pick-up. I also wanted to keep the factory dual air conditioner set-up, as it’s unique to the top-model Super Saloon; thankfully, a Mazda 2 compressor just fitted.
What did you drive in the meantime?
I drove my husband Brenton’s beautiful ’65 Thunderbird to work – it was an absolute joy. But the T-bird is on club rego, which solidified our deadline, as the logbook days were quickly running out.
JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS, I HAD A CRAZY IDEA TO DO AN LS1 SWAP, WITH THE GOAL TO HAVE THE CAR COMPLETED FOR THE SAKURA PICNIC IN MAY
Did you meet your deadline?
It was looking grim, but three days out from the car show we fired up the LS. Then it was a mad dash to finish off the rest of the jobs. I had the first drive at midnight before we left for the Sakura Picnic in Bundoora the next morning. We trailered it, as it was too risky driving a new build untested. Then a week later, the Crownie was tuned and road-tested. Since then, it’s been my daily again, and I couldn’t be happier. I believe it’s the only Ls-powered Crown in Australia.
Would you do it again?
It has been such an amazing experience, learning so many new skills along the way. I was wiring, grinding, welding, building templates for brackets and shifter mounts, tapping threads, and heaps of other fun stuff. It makes me excited for our next project, a 60s-styled ’29 Ford show rod with a blown 390ci FE big-block. It has a custom body of our own design.
What’s next for the Crown?
The next mods are a diff upgrade, new Hoppers Stoppers front brakes and 15-inch steelies. On my wishlist is to do Drag Challenge in the Crown, though unfortunately it sold out quickly this year. I will have to wait and see if I can get a spot next year – fingers crossed!
IT’S MY DAILY AGAIN, AND I COULDN’T BE HAPPIER. I BELIEVE IT’S THE ONLY LS-POWERED CROWN IN AUSTRALIA