1976 Holden Torana + 1984 Pontiac Trans Am + 1970 MG Midget - Phil's Picks 405 Part 2

By: Phil Walker, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 17.09.2017

Phil reckons if he shifts some of the cars in his garage around a bit he might be able to fit another one in, which is all the excuse he needs to hit the classifieds.

1973 Holden LJ Torana - $37,000

There are few things I like more than a Torana, I’ve owned a fair few over the years and I honestly reckon that the compact-bodied marque is one of Australia’s best. This LJ looks like a proper little thing, and while the four-door version would probably be the more practical option, let’s be honest, you probably wouldn’t buy one of these things to drive daily. This one’s also got the added benefit of having the six-cylinder engine under the bonnet and the four-speed manual transmission. 

1984 Pontiac Trans Am - $18,000

I’m not sure whether it’s my closeted fondness for Nightrider or its quintessentially ’80s styling, but I’ve always had a soft spot for the Pontiac Trans Am. This one isn’t what you’d call stock as a rock, in fact the owner says the old bird has received a new 5.7lt Vortec Chevy V8 with roller rockers, 675 Holley, custom, custom ceramic coated extractors and a 2.5-inch exhaust system. This one’s also been converted to a right-hook driving position, which means my brain wouldn’t be totally frazzled for the first ten minutes of every journey I took in the vehicle.

1970 MG Midget - $18,500

Now this looks like a lot of fun, and with a front bumper delete and some black chrome wheels, to my eye it even looks a little bit tough, like its ready to swap paint at a historic race meet like the Goodwood Revival, or something of that nature. What’s more, the 1275cc A-Series powerplant which has been slotted under the bonnet of this little bruiser has been completely stripped and rebuilt with new pistons, rings, bearings, Clive Cams Camshaft, as well as new exhaust and inlet valves. Probably wouldn’t be great for the daily commute, but on an early Sunday morning, in the middle of summer with the top down, I reckon it’d be pretty ace.

2008 Renault Megane 225 Cup - $12,990

Nobody does a hot hatchback like the French do. No one even comes close, whether it be Peugeot, Citroen or, in my opinion the best of the bunch, Renault. This Megane Cup is a classic example, it gives nothing away in terms of practicality or comfort thanks to four-doors, shedloads of storage and a leather-clad interior. The turbocharged four pulls hard from low down, the four-pot Brembo brakes are mighty and the Cup chassis keeps the car stable and composed at speed. These Renaults are a performance bargain like little else.

Unique Cars magazine Value Guides

Sell your car for free right here