Minor accident repairs snowballed into a full rebuild for Ostoja Pekic’s and his ’73 LJ Torana

This article on Ostoja’s Torana was originally published in the February 2017 issue of Street Machine

“THIS is my 1973 LJ Torana. Years ago I had a minor accident in it, and that’s how this build started.

I thought if I’m going to repair it, I may as well repaint it a different colour, and that’s when it snowballed into what it is today. The heartbeat is a Holden 308 stroked to 355ci, with a COME Racing crank, Crane cam, Torque Power intake and cast VN heads. Being a streeter, it has a solid Powerglide, running to a nine-inch diff with 3:9 gears.

JL Racecars installed the mini-tubs and six-point rollcage. Wheels are 15×4 Weld Racing V-Series up front and 15×8 Billet Specialties Comp 5s on the rear. The LJ has standard front suspension, coil-over rear and factory boxed control arms with Strange shocks. Inside are Scheel seats, a custom dash and Auto Meter gauges, with trim by S Randall Trimming.

Being a spray painter by trade, I wanted a colour that was intense in the sun, so I chose De Beer Lala Blue metallic. Huge thanks to BSR Paint Supplies, Dandy Engines, TCE Converters, KB Prestige, Retrolooms, BM Leather Creations, Lou and Frank, Dwayne, Darren, George, Bill and of course my wife and family.”

Photos: Dan Browne