The Torana That Once Flew

The Torana That Once Flew

By Paul McCann

.

I bought a V8 SLR Torana in 1977

it was Aqua Blue in colour

and looked just like a little piece of heaven .

I had the dizzy shaft taken out and worked on

and dug deeper in my pocket

until she no longer drove on the road

because she flew like a space rocket .

I worked 6 days a week to pay her off ,

life was hard, if you know what I mean .

We went for drives up the coast

and down the coast

and everywhere in between .

Then with only one payment to go

I went out to the club to celebrate .

Parked her in the club car park and never stayed late .

I only had one beer mate,

then with the thought soon I'd own her outright

I returned to the car to go home .

I stood at the spot where I left her

but she was gone and I was all alone .

I felt gutted inside, with no where to hide.

What could I do but carry on .

A year or so later a detective called to the door

and asked  me my name

and then wanted to know if I could identify my Torana again .

He brought me to a place where this  car sat

with some body damage here and there .

He started  it up

and there was knocking and ticking ,

but I knew it was her .

She had been given a rebirth

with a different engine number interstate

and part of a collection of 32 cars

stolen by some car thieves mate .

My rocket was not firing

and  needed retiring after its final bout .

The car was not the same now

and the insurance had already been paid out .