Torana Rebuild Series Ep. 2: Uncovering History & Starting the Rebuild

Introduction: The Power of Community

“Sometimes the internet surprises you in the best way.”

After sharing Episode 1 of my Torana rebuild series, something incredible happened: Lee, a previous owner from the 1990s, reached out after recognizing the car’s dodgy rear-quarter repair—one he’d done himself decades ago. Suddenly, my car’s history stretched back another 30 years.

That’s the magic of this project. It’s not just about metal and horsepower; it’s about people, stories, and a shared love for these classics.

Here’s where we’re at in Episode 2:

1. The Torana’s Hidden History

• Lee’s Legacy: In the ’90s, Lee and his brother straightened the front chassis rail and patched the rear quarter
• Blast from the Past: Lee shared photos of the car in its earlier days—rusty, blue, and flare-less—before I transformed it.
• Mystery Unsolved: We still don’t know who swapped the factory 253 for a 202 before I owned it. If you know, tell me in the comments!

2. The Hunt for Rare Parts

Rebuilding a near-50-year-old car means tracking down unicorn parts. Here’s what we’ve scored so far:

• Holy Grail Find: A brand-new, old-stock rear quarter panel from a Melbourne A9X racer (who asked to stay anonymous). “This makes the whole rebuild possible,” says Dale.
• Hatch Lid Drama: Bought one online advertised as “perfect”—arrived crushed. Found a better one locally (lesson learned!).
• Glass & Floors: Picked up rear windows at Summernats and salvaged factory inner floors from a drag-car project.
• Diff Upgrade: Snagged a bulletproof diff from a clubmate’s 1,000hp Torana (mine only needs 600hp… for now).

Pro Tip: Always inspect parts in person—or get burned like I did!

3. Dale’s Metal Magic: Straightening the Shell

At Ward Paint & Fabrication, Dale’s been working miracles:

• The Pull: Using clamps, chains, and a chassis rack, he’s slowly coaxing the twisted rear end back into shape. “You hear creaks and pops—it’s like the car’s sighing in relief,” he laughs.
• Unexpected Win: The rear chassis rails—thought to be unsalvageable—are now nearly factory-straight. This saves us from a full custom floor pan.
• Rust & Realism: Dale hammered out dents in the rare inner wheel tub (a LX Hatch-specific part that’s near impossible to replace).

Sneak Peek: Next episode, we’ll brace the shell, mock up panels, and tackle rust repairs.

4. What’s Next?

• Your Questions: Want a deep dive on a specific step? Comment below!
• Coming Up:
  • Fitting the NOS quarter panel
  • Chassis connectors for extra rigidity
  • OEM+ touches for better handling (without losing the factory look)

Final Thought

This rebuild is proof that old cars connect people across generations. From Lee’s 1990s repairs to Dale’s expert metalwork today, every twist in the Torana’s story makes it richer.

Watch Episode 2 here: 

Subscribe + hit the bell so you don’t miss the next update!

“We’re not just fixing a car—we’re saving its soul.”

P.S. Huge thanks to Dale Ward (@WardPaintAndFabrication) and everyone who’s helped source parts. The Torana community is unmatched!