1980 VB SL/E

This 1980 VB SL/E was purchased from a barn near Morrinsville with no engine or transmission fitted.

After some investigation into the car’s history, I found that it had originally been registered as a 4.2-litre V8, but when it was imported and registered in New Zealand in 1987, it was recorded as a 5.0-litre 308.

With that history in mind, I fitted a rebuilt 5.0-litre 308 V8 and Trimatic automatic transmission as part of the restoration.

The body was then completely stripped and rebuilt, with new rubbers and glass fitted before the car was repainted in its original factory colour.

The interior also received a major freshen-up. New carpet was installed, while the dash and both the front and rear seats were reupholstered.

To finish the car off, it was fitted with Globe alloy wheels and 245/50R14 tyres, giving it a period-correct look that suited the finished build.

What started as an incomplete barn find with no drivetrain became a full restoration, with the mechanicals, body and interior all rebuilt to bring the VB SL/E back to life.