Darryl bought a SS Hatchback Torana through AMCS 2 years ago and has turned it into his pride and joy. Here is his story and photos of the transformation. The finished car looks amazing!!!

According to Darryl, "The car was completely stripped and restored and painted in original ‘Valencia Orange’ and ‘GMH Black.’ Trim is ‘new original’ herringbone on slate from Victoria, seat belts restored from WA and dash/console/knobs/heater decals, etc restored from SA.

Body work and mechanicals were completed locally and parts sourced nationally. Except the main mechanicals, the vehicle is as it was when it came off the production line in 1976 but immensely better. I was very pedantic about the originality and the detail has truly paid off.

It is amazing what is out there for these types of cars if you have the resources to track them down (and the money). Original and working AM radio donated by my beautiful Mum that had kept it for decades when we bought her a new FM radio for her old car.

Rightly or wrongly the 308 is now stroked to 383 with ALL the good bits and for driveability a 5 speed Tremac was installed (but we still even kept the old ‘clutch cable’ set up).

When I purchased it through you it already had a 9” diff and that has been retained with a change of ratios. Duration of restoration was about 18 months and cost a bomb. Won’t do it again (I don’t think) and should have bought the other one through you at the time for about $50K as it would have been much cheaper. C’est la vie.

It’s amazing how it pulls the crowds (good and bad, I didn’t build it for that reason) and everyone wonders why I don’t show it. Maybe one day. For the moment, I just enjoy the few drives I have the time to take it on and my 2 young sons simply love being picked up from kindergarten in it. They also love the XT GT replica ute we purchased through you."

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