88 replies to this topic

[V-SLR5000-P]

I watched with interest the former Gough Brothers L34 pass through the auction process on three different occasions over the past year or so. Each time it failed to reach reserve and each time the temptation to make it mine increased. Finally l went down to Grays in Dandenong to take a close look which only made matters worse, l had to have it. The only hope of making that happen was to sell my unrestored LH SLR/5000 project and fortunately a good mate had expressed interest in this car several times. A quick chat with him and that deal was tentatively done. Long story short, a deal was then agreed with the owner of the Gough Brothers car and it was delivered to my place just before Christmas. I found that the seller is a Forum member and he has been great to get to know and to deal with every step of the way. 

I remember the car running in Group C historics in the early 2000s and from details provided by the former owner and my own research l have established that the car ran between late 1974 and early 1977 in at least twenty five events at circuits including Sandown, Calder, Phillip Island, Adelaide, Oran Park, Amaroo and Bathurst.

The car is presently down to a rolling shell to remedy past battle scars, undertake some minor rust repairs and a general freshen up. Fortunately some of the many original parts l had collected over the years for the SLR/5000 will find a home in the L34. But that in itself has raised some questions. Should l use my original NOS single outlet water pump on a race car or buy something from Ebay? Undecided.

The recent shots l took at Grays and the others are at from various race meetings in the hands of Kel Gough and the previous owner.

Covid lock downs permitting l hope to have the car finished in the next few months.

 

[Liz Clare]

Great score, really like the livery on this car.

I reckon you have to use the NOS single outlet water pump. eBay stuff will be Chinese rubbish and the car deserves better than that

Cheers,

Liz


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[RallyRed]

Great stuff. glad you managed to realise the dream. Great car, love the old racers.

[Smog]

Looking forward to seeing this back on the road.

Cheers Tim.

[Shiney005]

Like you Tim, I was also always watching this car come up for sale with the intention of buying it one day, but I never got off my backside and made the trip over there to have a look.  I really want to have a hand in Group C racing, and that car was always going to be the cheapest way into it. I am looking at the Gene Cook car now, but getting a C.O.D. for a car that was re-shelled after its racing life was over may well be impossible. I have an appointment with CAMS on the 19th September so will find out then. 

I am actually starting to wonder just how long Group C can keep going when some of the cars are selling towards a million dollars. Are they being bought by people who will race them? I don't think so.

As far as using original parts goes, I think you should. I have noticed the Scorcher ignition system that had been fitted prior to the Grays online auction last year, but Steve had the twin coil dizzy fitted, and if you find someone who knows how to set the dwell correctly they are the best non electronic distributor for the job. I say make it as factory looking as you can. It is going to be Torana fans who come up to look at it during shows, and it will be great for you to see their jaws drop when they see the NOS parts. 

I have also noticed that between its Chrome yellow paint job and the full on black-red-yellow paint it was wearing a set of CAC rims. Did Kel borrow them from Harry for the day I wonder???

 

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 Kel Gough before paint.jpg   46.71K   18 downloads

 

 CAC wheels.jpg   167.33K   17 downloads

 

 115824388_3355626197823228_5858958085750762730_n.jpg   75.36K   20 downloads

[GMHAz]

Not sure if it sold at Grays last year but John Bowe loves it.

 

[yel327]

Which ones are the CAC rims Laurie?

There may still be some cheap other GroupC cars around, cars like 1973-84 Toyotas, Mazda’s, Escort etc. Plus pre 1973 GroupC Mustangs, Porsche and the like.

[hanra]

I think if your going to use NOS parts, an ex race car that is an SL/R 5000 with L34 option pretty much ticks all the requirements and more for usage approval!!! 

[yel327]

I’m the opposite. If it’s a race car under 1974-79 GroupC it won’t be standard. Like it’ll probably run Dellorto or Holley carb(s). So I’d keep NOS bits and use repro wherever possible. Or uses non original bits to avoid breaking them, like keep the block, gearbox and axles aside if originals and use other bits like billet axles that you don’t care if you break them.

[Shiney005]

Which ones are the CAC rims Laurie?

There may still be some cheap other GroupC cars around, cars like 1973-84 Toyotas, Mazda’s, Escort etc. Plus pre 1973 GroupC Mustangs, Porsche and the like.

Picture number 3 Byron.  If I am going to race in Group 3, it has to be V8, and it has to be a Holden.  This just hit the market, but still out of my price range. 

 

 This one was not an l34. New a9x only raced once before hatch was built. Now owned by Craig .....jpg   220.29K   20 downloads

[yel327]

That narrows it down a bit! Probably a Gemini might be the only thing that won’t cost the earth today!

[LXCHEV]

Hey mate, what a fantastic pickup! Sad that the SLR had to go, but this thing is a very cool bit of Torana!

 

Can't wait to see it in the flesh at some stage (you'll have to take me for a spin so I can hear that beautiful engine and experience the Group C era from inside the cabin!).

 

Well done and congrats.

[V-SLR5000-P]

Contemplating historic rego Brett, we will see. But its not going to be easy!

A little rust had found its way into a couple of doors which were an easy fix. However both rear arches were pretty ugly when the flares came off.

It appears that when the guards were cut that they were oxy welded which burnt out any rust protection and things progressed from there.

When we tried to sort out the front panel fit even gaps were impossible to achieve. Perhaps ok for a race car but not the result l was after.

A visit to Garry O'Brien at Bendigo Muscle Cars sorted things out although some drastic surgery was called for. Once the Covid restrictions are over

the paint and reassembly can begin.

 

[Shiney005]

What the heck are those rims on the white car???

[Heath]

Siiiiiiiiiiiiiick!!!

 

I am so thrilled to hear this. Can I come around and have a look when we're allowed out? 

 

Is it with Garry in Bendigo currently?

Are you keeping the paint as-is apart from the obvious repairs that need to be touched up? It looks great! I love the stripe design and signs.

 

Would LOVE it with rego! Haha.

 

Oh, and you can probably guess I couldn't give a shit about the water pump as long as the impellor works well.

[V-SLR5000-P]

Heath the car is presently marooned in Bendigo for the duration of our lock down. The time to see it will be when its finished and running. Its a great noise!

[LCK186]

hi great looking group c l34     are u gonna put it back on the track    it will look great when its finished     were the skirts damaged     it looks like a lot of work has been done already    good luck with it

[V-SLR5000-P]

The skirts had some damage and surplus holes which have been repaired and they were able to be reused. Plenty done and plenty more to do before its all back together and running again. Things are pretty much at a dead halt with the present Covid lock down.The car will not be a museum piece and will have to be driven, no shortage of volunteers to give it a thrash around the track!

[V-SLR5000-P]

With no end in sight to Melbourne's lock down rules and being unable to retrieve the car from Bendigo l arranged to have it trucked back. Work has resumed with the car disassembled again for paint. Its being painted by a mate who has a home booth from which some great paint jobs have emerged.  I am getting stuck into less critical cleaning and painting tasks such as the splash trays, bumper brackets and suspension parts. My pile of replacement parts is also growing with a full rubber kit, a sound internal heater box, recored radiator, new washer bottle, refurbished sill plates and engine hose set etc. Progress again despite Covid.

Edited by V-SLR5000-P, 06 September 2021 - 09:54 AM.

[308 Sunbird]

Good work- you have to keep moving along any way you can.

[LXCHEV]

Excellent, great to see some progress pics, keep them coming.

[Shiney005]

Was that body originally Salamanca?

[V-SLR5000-P]

No Laurie, as per Steve Yates l understand the livery formerly incorporated salamanca red and the colour you can see is spray through from when the cowl vent was painted. No evidence of salamanca anywhere else.

Edited by V-SLR5000-P, 07 September 2021 - 09:34 AM.

[Rockoz]

What a fantastic toy to have in your shed!

Great to hear that it will be driven in anger once it is finished.

Will be keeping an eye out for updates.

 

Cheers

 

Rob

[SmacT]

Awesome bit of gear. Shame we can't run slicks on road cars...