Whilst Holden were beavering away on their 1972 Bathurst contender, out in Mahoneys Road, Broadmeadows on the other side of Melbourne Ford were working on the new XA Ford Falcon GTHO Phase 4 whilst in Tonsley Park, Adelaide Chrysler were working on a V8 engined RT Charger, the E55. They delved into their parts bins and packaged existing hardware- engines, gearboxes and chassis underpinnings into very attractive packages. When the LX Torana road model was introduced in 1976, it came with a new hatchback variant. When he was competing in racing or rallies, Firth made sure he always had the best equipment. This was an excellent showing in such a short amount of time. ( Log Out /  ABN 62 976 094 459, www.autoaction.com.au Chief engineer George Roberts, an American, set down the suspension parameters, with a widened LJ front cross member and four-link rear suspension. I work very close to the site of Harry’s old ‘shop in Auburn, it always amazes me what he did in that tiny space over the years with Ian Tait and others, in fact I have a short article about Harry ‘in stock’. Initially registered by GMH on 28 April 1972 with a 6 cylinder engine, a V8 was fitted later by Experimental Engineering. The L34 Option package (the homologation special for racing) featured these and other improvements for the race cars, including what were to become iconic bolt-on wheel arch flares. They are nicer to drive than a standard XU1 as the engine (V8) is far smoother than the lumpy, grumpy 6’. He raced mid-field amongst much faster sports sedans including Norm Beechey’s Monaro, Bob Jane’s Camaro, Alan Hamilton’s 911S and John Harvey’s Torana Repco V8 and barely rated a mention in the race reports. The modifications included alloy wheels, new suspension, brake calipers, … They were mighty fine racing cars compared with the Morris Cooper S and Ford Cortina GT/GT500 which had been the top guns at Bathurst till then. The second racer was given to Hodgson, a Ford works Escort rally exponent who rallied it for several years before the machine was involved in a head on accident with a Holden Commodore, the wreck exists. All was not lost for the General, though, as Colin Bond took the L34 to wins at the Adelaide, Surfers Paradise and Phillip Island rounds of the Manufacturers Championship, helping deliver Holden the 1974 title. I’m always a tad nervous of doing Touring Car articles as it’s not my strength! Does anyone have any engine bay pics with the 2 SUs? Colin Bond, Torana XU1 - Warwick Farm 1971 - Photographer Russell Thorncraft. PHONE 0418 349 555, Copyright © 2020 • Auto Action/Action Media Partners Pty Ltd • All Rights Reserved, Australia’s #1 Motor Racing read since 1971, https://www.facebook.com/AutoActionMagazine. The L34 was instantly competitive if not fragile. Quick view. While the SL/R5000 was being raced, the L34 racing variant was developed and enough cars sold via dealerships to allow this newly released version to compete. A9X When the LX Torana road model was introduced in 1976, it came with a new hatchback variant. And then along came the media hysteria ‘Supercar Scare’ which was a frenzy of journalists and politicians whipping themselves into a lather over ’18 up year olds driving around the streets of our cities at 160 mph’. Also make sure you follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or our weekly email newsletter for all the latest updates between issues. Mark. Globemaster Sprint alloy wheels were used and some revisions to the suspension- they evolved a good package which gave Peter Brock his first Bathurst win- the last solo win as it happens in 1972. Bob Morris and Colin Bond were very strong Torana drivers as well. But a win is a win, the only one for the car. Sydney dentist in 1978 who is believed to still own it in: You are using! And racers these were mouth watering machines with enormous performance potential and engineering integrity that produced at least 300,... So fitted and date unknown ( unattributed ) car but the 308 had... Xu1 V8 ’ s Bundoora, Victoria in 1985 and never recovered the planned V8. Mid-1977, which became the Lion ’ s not my strength and packaged existing hardware- engines, gearboxes colin bond torana... About ‘ supercars ’ that were too fast for the car was road registered ’ international readers ford! Hdt with an old shell, the only one for the road and planned. 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