BATHURST Autofest was first time out for Mark Wilson’s beautifully finished LH Torana. There are no tubs, blowers or custom paintjobs to speak of, but the quality is simply superb.

“It’s been a 12-year build,” Mark said. “It’s been painted for the past five years, but I just wanted to get everything perfect. It’s taken a very long time to source some of the parts I’ve needed; I really wanted to follow that resto-mod theme and keep it true to its original form. It’s an SL Torana, and we wanted to dress it as an SL Torana.”

The car was a six-cylinder auto from the factory, but it now packs a red 308 stroked to 383ci, with VN heads and a 750 Holley. The engine is backed by a Supra five-speed manual and a modified banjo rear end with a reinforced housing, Truetrac and 28-spline axles.

The colour is Volkswagen Tossa Blue, and the interior has been treated to a factory-inspired re-trim that’s been subtly personalised to suit Mark’s tastes.

“It has an original-style shifter so that when you look inside it looks period-correct,” he said. “I was very particular about everything sitting, fitting and operating correctly in the car. It’s a neat cruiser for my wife and my three kids.”