1976 Holden Torana LX review from Australia and New Zealand

Clutch rod has broken three times, but I have replaced it with a length of 3/16 inch threaded rod from local hardware store. Should last 'forever' now!

Lower ball joints needed replacing at about 300,000 km.

Door locks and linkages needed cleaning out after 400,000 km - full of dust and getting a bit hard to operate. A days easy work needed here.

High beam switch failed early on, but I fitted spot lights and set up an off/on switch on the arm rest in the middle of the car.

Starter motor switch failed last week. A simple press button installed until I get round to replacing the ignition switch - if at all.

Normal replacement of brake pads, radiator, water pump as needed over the years.

I also re-bored the motor and have had the head reconditioned on two occasions. The rings broke at 407,000km which I thought was quite good, but I was using Nulon (teflon) oil treatment for most of its life.

A simple, easy to maintain car for the backyard mechanic. This is the base model, so it is easy to take off the cylinder head for reconditioning, with no air-conditioning or power steering to remove first.

The paint work has held up well, still with a good gloss (Persian Sands colour) despite not being garaged for 25 years. I polish it about once a year.

A solid, long lasting vehicle.