Copper Gem - finally nearly finished after two years off the road.
One owner - My mum bought it new in August 1978 from Heckers in Maryborough (Qld). It was manufactured in Brisbane in July 1978. I learnt to drive in it and in 1984 she gave it to me and I have had it ever since. In 1999 the engine finally blew and I took it off the road and began the restoration. I stripped it right down and found several "scars" that I forgot about. After assessing the condition of all the panels, the beaver panel, all the floor pans, both doors, the tailgate skin, the bonnet frame, scuttle panel, one guard and the strengthening box sections forward of the front door all had to go(should have just mentioned what I kept!). Fortunately the sills were in p.c. I quickly realised that I didn't have the time or the skills to do the job (tho I bought a Mig and did some of the out-of-sight welding). So I palmed it off to a guy who turned out to be a real craftsman - Warren Muggeridge who's business is called Automotive Refurbish (Rocklea). He's done everything except rebuild the engine. He even painstakingly knocked out all the hail damage on the roof and bonnet - not a spot of rust or an ounce of bog anywhere on it. It's not an over-the-top restoration - the engine bay is largely stock, except for some partially hidden wiring and the battery moving to the boot, all the seams and spot welds are still there.
The original block was bored to 1800 by Advanced Engine Performance at Coorparoo, a TX head ported and polished and a 35/75 cam added. The engine was balanced. It still runs the original restored Nikki carby but I added a set of extractors and stainless sports exhaust. The fan was replaced by a thermofan. I swapped the old box for a good 5spd, rebuilt by Warren. In fact, everything has been rebuilt - brakes, gearbox, diff - the lot. It's got lowered springs, but not outrageously and some of those bendy metal thingo's from Whiteline that are stronger than the original bendy metal thingo's. Seats are stock but rebuilt, bolstered and upholstered, the dash was restored by Dashboard restorations and modernised. Warren did all the interior as well. It has an Alpine stereo and speakers (note the plural - which is an advance over the original am radio and one speaker) - but again nothing over the top. Unfortunately we couldn't find any halogen square lights or kits, so we opted for round 130W ones. Personally, they're growing on me, but they're not as pretty as the square ones and I'll replace them if I ever get the chance. Got a set of drilled pop-out windows to replace that rubbish that used to be there. The rims are Speedy Hyper Fang II's 15" and 195/50 Falken tyres. And that's about it- apart from that killer Tiger Mica paint job!
Thanks to WARREN MUGGERIDGE from AUTOMOTIVE REFURBISH at Rocklea - You're a legend!
The canary yellow photo was when it was 1year old
Trophies:
Cruise 'N' Cooroy show 02/12/01 Top Engine Bay and 2nd, 70's modified.
Tarampa show: best 4 cyl
Automania on the Downs: best show wagon
Minden Car Show 2002: Best 4cyl/rotary, Best Paint, Best individual display
Brisbane All Holden Day: 1st "Others" Class.
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