AT 19 years of age, Shane Jones turned his focus away
from the surfing circuit and towards a well-worn Cyan 1971
LC GTR Torana that had sat in his parents’ driveway for far
too long. After an extensive resto, he ended up with this
sweet Sebring Orange road rocket, complete with the extra
power of a fully legal V8. The bodywork was a collaboration
between Bel Air Custom Paint & Panel and Ferrace Auto
Body, and Bel Air also took care of the paint. Fifteen years
after work was completed, the Torana still looks factory
fresh. Keeping the Torry looking original was important to
Shane, with the only departure inside being the addition of
a monster tacho. Shane’s dad suggested slotting a suitably
warmed-over 253 V8 between the chassis rails, as well as
upgrading to a V8-spec Aussie four-speed cog-swapper.
A VS Commodore was cannibalised for its third member,
shortened to suit the GTR’s narrower track. All four of the
Commodore’s rotors and calipers were swapped across
too. Thanks must go to Shane’s parents Steve and Felicity
for their help and for storing the coupe for so long, his
brother Jeremy for all his assistance, John and George Donis
from Street Scene Automotive for their excellent mechanical
work, and Brad at Scott’s Trimming for the period-perfect
interior. Words & Photos: Brad Miskiewicz
SHANE JONES
1971 LC GTR TORANA