j.e.d.'s 1976 Torana sedan - Ongoing Project

[j.e.d.]

Howdy all. New project time...

 

Discussion: //oldschool.co.nz/index.php?/topic/45799-jeds-1976-torana-sedan-ongoing-project/#entry1414625

 

Not too much to show so far - I picked this car up a few months ago for a good price initially to cut up for patch panels for the hatch, but it's just too good for that so I've decided to put the hatch on hold while I try & get this on the road.

 

Lotta work ahead of me, but I'd like to get it done by xmas next year (famous last words I know). Getting a shed built over xmas/new year this year so I'll have a bit more space, but in the mean time I'll do what I can in the 'might as well be' single garage.

 

Here is a pic of it coming home & in it's new parking space making friends with big brother..

 

First job was to empty the car out of all it's spare parts, lucky I've got a spare room as it filled that up pretty well. The car came with two sets of doors, guards, bonnet, boot, bumpers so I should get a good set sorted for the car.

 

All the mechanical parts I've collected for the hatch are going to go in this car, then once this is done I'll hopefully know what direction I'll be taking with the hatch. Mocking it all up to a point before I start on rust repairs.

 

Had a VN V8 brake booster for a while, so I've cut the end off it & welded the Torana end on & shorter as well..

 

Fitted HQ sump to the VR clubsport engine..

 

Mounted on to hatch front end, lifted up front of car with engine hoist, dropped old front end out & rolled this one under..

 

Engine in place..

 

Temporary gearbox crossmember..

 

At this stage the car sat for a few weeks & I had second thoughts about the direction I was heading with it, but a mate came around the other day & convinced me I just had to do it all out with the V8 & flares so we decided to tape the flares on & chuck on the nose cone & front spoiler to see what it'd look like..

 

Rolled one of my newly acquired hotwires in front to see what it'd look like & I was pretty happy..

 

Today I finished welding up the radiator support panel. I bought this a couple of years ago when rare spares didn't know how to make them properly & it was straight when it needed to be curved. So I cut some slots, spread it out a bit & welded it up. I'm no fantastic welder but it came up alright. I'll probably weld a plate to the front through just to strengthen it up a little..

 

This brings me up to date on this. It's not going to be a fast build but I'll be ticking along on it & I'll update this thread whenever progress is made if y'all are interested  

[j.e.d.]

Today's small amount of progress..

 

Welded the plate to the front of the rad. support panel & it came up ok. I won't weld it up to the car til I practice some more on butt welding joints. Maybe next weekend.

 

Knocked up these plates as the car was missing them after one of the previous owners repaired the typical bonnet hinge rust. My welding sucks but I'll get better..