216 replies to this topic

[v8xu1pete]

Do any ACT/Canberra forum members know of the guy in the attached article from Australian Hot Rodding Review 1974, Bill Graham of Fisher. I would like to get in contact with him if he is still around. Any help appreciated.

Cheers Pete.

[xu2308]

I hope Bill Graham, pulled up in the traffic lights in Canberra back in 1974 and Milton Morris the Polly was in a car next to him
and heard the rumble of the V8 LJ, the car he got banned.

Edited by xu2308, 30 August 2012 - 10:34 PM.

[xu2308]

Hi Pete

I looked on the white pages in ACT there is six B.Graham's  I rang them all up, but none of them answered there home phone numbers, as Bill Graham been into Torana's in 1974, he might of spotted or knew the owner of my LJ GTR Torana.

 

AL

[xu2308]

Hi Pete

on the Canberra Torana Club Facebook page I have asked does anyone remember Bill Graham from Fisher in the ACT who owned a V8 LJ Torana, so lets hope someone remembers Bill

 

AL

[v8xu1pete]

No probs Al, that was my thinking. I was hoping he might have remembered mine, being a  Canberra sold car in late 72. Let's hope someone knows him.

Pete.

[v8xu1pete]

The lady at ACT Roads told me that Bill's car was purple.

Pete.

[xu2308]

So he had a Red GTR V8 and a Purple V8 XU-1 in 1974 Mr.Bill Graham

[xu2308]

mmmmmmmmmmmm Pete, when I started the search for my LJ GTR in the Canberra area, I was told that a Guy in Canberra had a Red LJ GTR, that was Strike me Pink and he owned a Purple LJ XU-1 mmmmmmmmmmm Mr Bill Graham Torana's were Red and Purple

[v8xu1pete]

In the article it says his red GTR was a '69, so an LC, which he fitted a 308 in. But he said he had tested 2 other Toranas, with a 283 & a 350. Perhaps he tried all 3 engines in the '69 GTR, or perhaps he had other Toranas as well. Very interesting!

 

The lady at ACT Roads also told me that Bill's purple XU1, YEK-950, was registered with a QT engine no, so the engine was put in there to stay. I wonder if this car has survived.

[xu2308]

The person who had the Red LJ GTR that was Strike me Pink and a Purple LJ XU-1 lived in the South of Canberra, Fisher in Canberra looks on the map in the south area to me Pete ?????

[8d11p]

Around 1975, in Canberra,  a good mate of mine bought a HR Ute that was fitted with a GTR XU-1 motor.   Went really well, and was a nicely looked after ute.   

 

The XU-1 that supplied that motor had been fitted with either a 308 or a 350.   Can't remember too much about the XU-1, except  that it was also a very neat looking car, seem to recall that if you needed to change the spark plugs you had to take of the front wheels to get there.

Edited by 8d11p, 04 August 2013 - 11:59 AM.

[v8xu1pete]

Do you remember the colour of the XU-1, was it purple by any chance, as Bill pulled his motor out at 1500kms.

Pete.

[8d11p]

Don't remember the colour of the XU-1, but the HR ute was white.

[xu2308]

Don't remember the colour of the XU-1, but the HR ute was white.

 

Did you see a Red LJ GTR that was original Strike me Pink in ACT getting around in late 1980 ?

[xu2308]

YEK950 ACT Rego Number on the V8 XU1, to me its about a June or July 1972 ACT rego date, what's your thoughts on the date pete

[xu2308]

The story in the Mag is may 1974, but Bill removed the original 6 Cyl at 1500 miles, so im thinking the 308 V8 went in it in 1972 pete ???

Edited by xu2308, 05 August 2013 - 06:28 PM.

[xu2308]

Hi Pete

might go through my old early to late 1980's Street Machine magazines and look in the Readers Cars section and some old custom rodder magazine as well to see if any LJ GTR's or LJ XU-1's show up Pete, worth a try I think

 

AL

[xu2308]

Hi Aldo

Just seeking History on my SMP LJ GTR that I bought in 2012 that was moved to ACT in late 1980 (was Red in 1980 when turned up in ACT) as Bill Graham was into LJ Torana's in the 1970's and I hope into the 1980's, he might remember my LJ GTR and Pete's V8 XU-1 as well, my car is 4/1972 LJ GTR.

 

Regards

AL

[xu2308]

Thanks Aldo

[v8xu1pete]

YEK950 ACT Rego Number on the V8 XU1, to me its about a June or July 1972 ACT rego date, what's your thoughts on the date pete

 

Hi Al, the lady at ACT Roads told me Bill's purple XU-1 had a BLJ chassis number, so this would make it a first reg 1973. She also told me it was still registered at the same address up to 1984 or 87, just can't remember now, it's a year or more since I got that info. Definately worth a try looking in the early magazines, it might show up.

Pete.

[v8xu1pete]

Don't remember the colour of the XU-1, but the HR ute was white.

Hi, is there anyone you could ask, who might remember the colour , or owner, of the XU-1.

Pete.

[xu2308]

Hi Al, the lady at ACT Roads told me Bill's purple XU-1 had a BLJ chassis number, so this would make it a first reg 1973. She also told me it was still registered at the same address up to 1984 or 87, just can't remember now, it's a year or more since I got that info. Definately worth a try looking in the early magazines, it might show up.

Pete.

Hi Pete

I think you told me it was 1987, that's good because he should remember our cars I hope, as he had his rana to the late 1980's, its just finding the man lol, so its a 1973 LJ XU-1 the Purple Beast of Bill Graham's, will get on the hunt through the mags and see what I can find, might have to buy some old Custom Rodder mags from ebay etc, as I used to buy them in High School in 1977,1978,1979 and cut out the rana pics and put on the school books trick.

AL

Edited by xu2308, 06 August 2013 - 10:02 AM.

[xu2308]

 Image.jpg   200.21K   8 downloads

 

 

Hi Pete

In Street Machine Magazine Oct-Nov 1985 issue (Original Mad Max Car on cover) Readers Cars on page135 I found this

 

Owned by Chris Boudlis  a Canberra based street freak, now I remember this car been in the Summernats Street Machine Magazine and it was in a Red Colour, this car used to be at the summernats back in the 1980's, so people should remember it and the owner, the car even came to my town in the 1980's when I had my black SS Hatch, he filled up at the BP Garage here. ACT rego number XU200, that's why I remember it from the rego number, I didn't click it was a ACT car when I seen it many moons ago.

 

Regards

AL

Edited by xu2308, 07 August 2013 - 11:28 AM.