Before we jump into the juicy details of Luke Swift’s incredible LC Torana, let’s give the bloke credit for actually getting out and using this stunner. We see pristine, exactingly built cars like Luke’s LC in the Street Machine Summernats Elite Hall all the time, and there’s always that bloke who loves to point out that they’re “trailer queens”.

First published in the September 2026 issue of Street Machine

Well, Luke’s LC is here to pour ice-cold water on old mate’s jeering. Since it had its covers pulled off at Summernats 38 back in January, where it scored Elite-class silverware for 3rd Top Tudor, Luke hasn’t been shy about using the thing.

“I’ve driven it to Beachfest, and we just recently did Cooly Rocks On in it,” he says. “Even with the fully painted undercarriage, I built the thing to drive it.” 

The 32-year-old began his LC project in late 2019, but his Torana passion goes all the way back to childhood. “The old fella always had heaps of cars, and plenty of Toranas,” Luke recalls. “I’d had a Datsun 1200 and a few VWs, but I’d always wanted an LC-LJ – and it had to be a two-door. Then we found this one in Toowoomba.”

The car Luke acquired was a crusty but very useable coupe with rust bleeding through its white paint. With the help of his old man Glenn and brother Jamie, he set about rectifying its faults. “A simple resto and tidy-up to get it back on the road with a hot little six was the original plan,” he says. “Boy oh boy, did that blow out!” 

Down the rabbit hole the trio went, tackling fabrication, tubs, a bonnet raise and guard stretch, the engine, a shortened diff and more. “The thing just consumed me, and that’s where the BAD HABT plates stem from,” Luke says.

Along with providing plenty of guidance for the project, Luke’s brother Jamie is also an engine builder. “I always wanted a tough little street car, so with a little rubber-arming from the brother, I was convinced to go with a blown LS,” says Luke. “Dad also has an LS-swapped EH that’s a bit of a sleeper, which was also an inspiration for this build, because I just love the simple ‘jump in and drive’ style of his car.”

The build process became increasingly complex, with Luke having to ferry the Torana around to multiple workshops to get all the pieces to fall into place. 

Spot On Performance sorted the rear tubs and the four-linked, nine-inch rear end, while Dean at Pro Touring Fabrication stretched the arches to take the 295 rear rubber, and fabbed up the swollen bonnet to accommodate the Harrop blower atop the LS.

Through it all, Luke and his family were always on the tools in between the car’s shop stays in order to get the build over the line. “Dad and I did the bulk of the bodywork, including unpicking the front to put GTR guards on the car, before it went to my cousin Troy at The Bump Shop for the paint and undercarriage,” he says. “They were as fastidious as me with the outcome, so I can’t thank them enough.”

The mill that Jamie Swift concocted is a 404ci alloy-block Gen IV LS, topped by a Harrop TVS2300 supercharger. Jamie elongated the LS’s internals with a Callies crank, Oliver rods and JE pistons. A Kelford bumpstick swings the valvetrain, which breathes through a pair of Higgins heads. Controlled by a Holley HP and sucking E85, the mill makes a comfortable 640rwhp on a modest 12psi of boost.

“It’s nice to drive, but I’ve already had a few moments where I’ve needed to check myself,” Luke laughs. “Jamie has quite a few drag cars, and even he said it’s a wild thing.”

The six-year build – mostly undertaken at Luke’s parents’ house – culminated in a last-minute push to Summernats 38. “I always wanted it to make Summernats, and if it made the Top 60 hall, that would be icing on the cake,” says Luke. “When it was unveiled on the Thursday night with a massive crowd, I was shitting bricks! With a hall full of high-end elite show cars, I wasn’t expecting trophies or anything; I was just happy it was good enough to be alongside some of these cars. So, I was shocked to hear my name called during the trophy presentations on Sunday.”

Luke says Summernats was his one-and-done show; now he wants to simply enjoy cruising the Torana, which he’s already been doing. “Honestly, I’m not big into the show car scene, so now that’s done, I’m loving getting out and enjoying it,” he says. “It’s just so great to have it finished – from filling the lounge room with car parts for six years, taking up space at my parents, and my dad spurring me on during the project, I’m so happy to say it’s finally done.”

LUKE SWIFT
1971 HOLDEN LC TORANA

THANKS
My brother Jamie – without his knowledge and contacts, this car wouldn’t be close to what it is today; Mum and Dad for housing the car for the six years of the build; my wife Georgia for allowing me to spend a silly amount of hours and a small amount of money on this thing; Swifty’s Race Engines; Troy Swift at The Bump Shop; Muscle Car Motor Trimming; 1320 Motorsports; Spot On Performance; Craig at Extreme Custom Engineering; Pro Touring Fabrication; Blacklist Detailing Co; Next Up Performance; Japelec; Glenn and Jamie Swift