Lot # : 10 - 1976 Holden Torana SS Hatchback

MODEL. LX8VD77 BODY. 542245M TRIM. 1896 - 60A (Contessa Gold - Chamois vinyl trim) PAINT. 567 – 15942 (metallic – paint code) ENG. L31 TRANS. M21 RRAXLE. GU7 (5 litre, 4 speed manual, 2.78 LSD) Built 22nd September 1976 (model year ‘G’ 1977) Chassis /Tags/Eng. No: Chassis and A.D.R. - BLX 020282 M: V.I.N. - 8D77TG J542245X: Engine. - HT63195 This 1976 Holden Torana SS Hatch was purchased by the current owner as a complete roller and unflared survivor car. The car then underwent a two year, total ground up contemporary restoration. Every part was inspected and graded by the owner and if a better part was available then it was used. Original parts, nuts, bolts, fasteners and clips were reused if they passed inspection. All parts were more or less; repaired, rebuilt, reconditioned, refurbished, recoated or restored. GMH assembly decals, picking tags and date stencils were reinstated back in place where possible. The car was built to be driven and enjoyed for what it is, rather than to please the concours purest with minor drivability upgrade and some finish and coating choices made on the basis of aesthetics and for easy cleaning maintenance. Starting with the body, the car was stripped back and any necessary rust repairs completed before being painted in its original Contessa Gold Colour using 2-Pack Clear coated over metallic base colour with a ‘flow-coat’ finish. Body panel cavities were treated with Tectyl 506 Rust Preventative. Complete new rubber seal kit was installed. Correct door locks and original door handles re-chromed. Window mouldings painstakingly repaired and polished. New side mirrors. Painted bars with original rub strips and overriders. New fibreglass air dam. New accent stripe and SS decal applied on base colour with clear coat over. New grill and s/s moulds. New Hella H4 headlights and bezels, restored anti lift wipers, new taillights, new s/s fuel cap. Painted body blackouts are under the clear coat for a nice uniform look as well as for added paint protection. The interior has been restored back to original (60A) Chamois colour with new steering wheel and door cards, re-chromed original winders, restored front/rear door arm rests and grab handles, new black “classic Loop” carpet through-out, new front/rear seat trim, side trim and seat back panels. Restored ‘Portland Grey’ dash, chrome painted edging and new vent seals. Restored instruments, controls, centre console and arm rest. Correct folding particle board cargo floor and carpet. Fully restored seatbelts and stalks and new interior lights and LED bulbs. Spare wheel storage carpet. Additional floor storage and lift lid, new glove box insert, painted foot pedals & new pads. Minor and well hidden upgrades include customised air-conditioning system and power steering. Modern ‘Retro Sound’ model-4 radio sound system with 4 speakers, IPod, Bluetooth, MP3, USB hidden auxiliary ports in glove box and console. Period accessories include Semi-automatic aerial, Hazzard lights, Rear window demister, Aunger rear louvre and wiper aids. A L31 308ci V8 engine was sourced, Block casting date 12H6 (12thAugust 1976). It was completely rebuilt with improved performance. Cleaned, crack tested, bores checked, machine honed 0.040/1000 over standard. Block is machine decked and line bored to bring back to tolerance. 308 crank checked, journals machined, balanced with flywheel and clutch pressure plate. New Keith Black 0.040 hypereutectic flat top pistons, 0.040 moly rings. Compression ratio is 10-1. All new bearings i.e. crank, cam, ‘X’ con-rods, etc. New Crane PowerMax H276 hydraulic cam part # 24461 and Crane anti pump-up lifters. New brass welsh plugs. New ARP bolts and studs used internally. New Rollmaster double row timing chain. Holden timing cover, new water pump, original flanged bolts were zinc plated & reused. Modified cast iron oil pump, prioritised oil gallery feed and replacement oil pan. New crank dampener and machined surface 308 flywheel. All threads were cleaned, retaped or repaired. New gasket and seal kit. Sourced GMH 3 row V-belt crank pulley for A/C & P/S. Engine number stamped onto machined deck HT 63195. The cylinder heads Part # 9936122 were cleaned, checked and reconditioned. Intake/exhaust port and bowl areas were deburred and hand blended for increased flow and CC measured. New exhaust valve size 1.54” and intake valve size increased to 1.84” with hardened seat inserts to suit premium unleaded fuel (PULP). Four angle valve and seat cut for improved air/fuel flow. New improved valve train components; K-line bronze valve guides, Crane springs/dampeners, 7/16” stud mounted roller rockers, spring retainers, guide plates, locks, seals, ARP studs and push rods etc. Factory valve covers were retained. The Carb is a Rochester Quadrajet (602) Part # 17056280 0996 (99th day 1976). Bought as a reconditioned unit with the parts replated. Engaged ‘Carbo Tune’ to re-calibrate and tune with the new improved motor. The carburettor is equipped with an electric choke cold start system, instead of the factory exhaust cross-over pre-heat choke method. All of the ADR 27A Exhaust Emission Control System parts are in place as to GMH compliance but is not operational. Distributor; Part # 9946938 (NOS) Bosch 9 volt points system. Contact points were removed and replaced with a ‘Pertronix Ignitor’. Red Bakelite distributor cap. 9 volt GMH silver canister coil tested and reused. Correct Packard spark plug leads with red boots. The motor was run in on an “engine dyno “at Advanced Engine Performance, Brisbane. Peak torque is 316 FT-LB at 3600 RPM. Peak power is 300 HP at 5700 RPM. Correct ADR 27A exhaust manifolds are both ceramic coated inside and out. Driver’s side with the Exhaust Gas Heat valve (internal butterfly removed) and passenger side with the silver Air Heat Stove plate. Larger than standard, 2” mild steel, dual exhaust pipes with correct type ‘U’ clamps and slip joints are used with the correct hanging brackets. Open mufflers were chosen to help expel the increased gas flow and to produce a more sporty note. 2” stainless steel exhaust tips finish the tail ends. The engine is paired to an M21 4 speed manual transmission which was bought as a complete reconditioned unit. Bellhousing was restored along with new clutch & pressure plate, new cable/mechanical (rat trap) system. Shifter linkages reconditioned and zinc electroplated. Cast iron case repainted in red oxide. The tail shaft received New yoke and universal joints, re-balanced and repainted green with date stencil reinstated. The Diff is a (GU7) 2.78 LSD, was checked and deemed to have been reconditioned by a previous owner. It was cleaned up, prepared and painted in 2 pack GMH satin black. The brakes received ‘PBR’ Reconditioned correct big nut master cylinder, brake booster and front callipers. New 3/16” hard lines. Original front/rear flex lines tested and reused, front disc rotors checked and reused, new disc pads. New rear brake shoes and slave cylinders. Drums passed inspection. New foot operated Park brake cables and all using Castrol DOT 4 brake fluid. Front end was completely rebuilt. New upper and lower ball joints. New rubber suspension bushes front and rear. Bolts were zinc plated. Parts were cleaned, deburred, sandblasted and painted in 2 pack GMH satin black. Lovell’s heavy duty lowered springs (GMH picking tags). Koni adjustable front shock absorbers painted black and tagged. Rear Shock absorbers, ride height, air adjustable type (GMH option G66 Superlift Rear Shocks). Separate valves used, located behind the lower ¾ panel between the rear wheel & bumper bar ends. A custom power steering system and air conditioning unit have been added to the car for improved driveability which is neatly hidden away using custom brackets low in the engine bay. All of the original wire harnesses were repaired, restored and put back into use. Except for the battery cables & engine loom which are correct GHM reproductions. The car sits on a set of 6.00jjx13 GMH option (N66) Sports wheels with 205/65R13 Nankang Radial N-729 tyres. 4 x SS style hubcaps were completely restored plus 20 x GTS wheel nuts. The correct bumper jack, lug nut spanner, spare wheel clamp bolt and wing nut also restored. Along with the car is a Holden Historical Services vehicle production report, Holden Production Broadcast sheet, LX Torana Owner Manual and Holden slip.