This SS is one of the very early builds, being March 1976, just one month after the LX release. It is a Dandenong, Melbourne built Torana, was sold new at Garry & Warren Smith Group in Oakleigh and has never left the South East Melbourne suburbs. The car still retains its original books and paperwork. It is a Genuine SS Torana hatchback, ordered in Papaya Orange, with Slate Black interior, a 4.2 litre V8 engine and 4 speed manual gearbox. This car has been a street machine, weekender most of it’s life, so has an amazing, straight, clean, totally rust free body. 18 years ago the body had undergone a complete bare metal rotisserie restoration. No rust was found and the colour was brightened a few shades to Lone O’Ranger. At this time the A9X kit and black outs were added to make this Genuine V8 SS now an A9X replica. During the body restoration all new rubbers, bolts, clips, etc were replaced to match the show quality body and paint. 18 years on no rust bubbles, humidity, shrinkage or other issues have shown up through the paint, which proves the quality of the car body. The 4.2 litre engine was sold decades ago and the car ran a worked 308 for most of its life. However 5-6 years ago the hatch received another revamp of everything, except for body and paint which was nearly perfect still. This build was going to revolved around a Restomod theme with an original looking Torana, that runs modern high performance running gear. It now runs a mild LS1 alloy V8 from a VY Clubsport R8. The matching Tremec T56, 6 speed gearbox was also used, with a High Performance clutch, custom extractors, exhaust, tail shaft, mounts, sump, etc to suit the Torana application. A huge fuel system was configurated using a Brown Davies A9X style 120 litre drop tank, braided lines and aviation fittings, 3 Performance fuel pumps, custom surge tank and high performance fuel filters, rails, regulator, etc. The engine bay was shaved and painted before the new running gear got fitted up to give that simplified, clean look. Aftermarket hinges, booster and several other items were purchased to complete this look. This new set up was matched with a 9″ diff, running 4.11s and true trac centre. A custom engine management computer was used, new custom, hidden wiring loom and upgraded cooling system with custom alloy radiator was chosen. With all of this power upgrade 4 wheel disk brakes from a VY Commodore were added for balance and lower, stiffer suspension with sway bars to improve steering capabilities. A9X style wheels were also chosen to complete the A9X look, however these were monsterised to 15 x 10, with 295 tyres and 15 x 8, with 225 tyres upfront to help with traction all round thanks to the new race car performance. The SS interior was also refreshed back to its original beauty at the time of the drive train upgrade and looks very original apart from 2 discreet autometer gauges beneath the dash, the modern gear stick with GM rip shifter and on screen display GPS speedo hidden on the dash. To finish the build, everything was fully Engineered for full rego or in this case Modified club permit.
