Concept We Forgot: 1970 Holden Torana GTR-X

The fiberglass-bodied coupe had one of the best designs to ever come from the Land Down Under.

www.motor1.com

I don't want to violate copy right so have a look at the Holden GTR-X , I can't help but think the designer were at least aware of the Opel GT. Drivetrain came from the Torana XU-1 a stretched (to fit a Holden six with cam and triple carbs) Opel/Vauxhall variant.

 

Are those V8s? I saw the dual exhaust. Some of those Holden’s are very cool like the Holden trucks that had the Pontiac G8 engine in them.

 

You've got it backwards...the Pontiac G8 IS a Holden. Built in Australia and exported to the US. The platform (also was used for the new gen Camaro) is not Opel related...as far as I know, but the Pontiac GTO is. The early 2000s GTO was a rebadged Holden Monaro, which was a two door version of the Holden Commodore....which was based on the Opel Commodore platform. For years Holden has used the Opel Commodore platforms as a starting point. Just like Lionel Ritch, The Commodores were just the beginning.

 

I was wondering how that all went. Thanks for the info.

 

Wikipedia can be useful...

 

And sometimes exciting LOL

 

The G8 was the Commodore down under as is the Chevy SS. I think it does go back to an Opel platform.

 

Like the earlier Mantas

 

Did they use the 350 Chev engine as well?

 

No. 4 cyl 1.9 Litre engines.

 

This model came out with the 1.9 cih. Strange but most didn't go for the four. Which opel is this kin to?
Same shop display today. this is the hot 5lt version the more popular race version was the hatchback called A9X, and I worked with a guy had the hotter version of this called SLR 5000 L34 a mouthful but the only one I have ever seen in the flesh.

 

A friend of mine had a chev SS it had the 308 but there was a plate saying Bathurst Pact which would make it a rare Monaro but as a Chev ss in Australia it sold very cheap.

 

Yeah, I can't believe the prices of old Monaros...absolutely insane.

 

Yes that one they say is valued over $370,000 AUD

 

Oh wow, That is an Opel? I want one! That is one Bad As.. Car. What is under the hood? Where was the picture taken? I have a lot of Questions. We need more details please.

 

That is more or less stock standard except for the drop tank which was a common mod to finish off that track car look. They run a 308 Holden V8. I didn't pay them much attention as a teen but your right Bad As.. . I loved watching the race in the 70's when the track car really where modified street cars. Check out Bathurst 500 footage from the time a 500 mile race circuit over a mountain which was a public road they closed for the event. Footage doesn't show how scary that road really is.
The picture was taken today at the shopping centre, They have been selling raffle tickets for it. I was thinking of spending on a ticket but I really need some argon this fortnight.
My GT is running a gearbox for the 4 cyl version of the model , gear shift come out to far back so I spun around and mounted a cut down shift bent forward.

 

Just for giggles

 

Soy...
That is a later Torana. Kind of like a larger Ascona B. You can really see the mid-70s GM style in it. We got some of that look in the 75 and later Nova SS.

 

Nice, I still want one. GFL huh? I'd be happy to get my Manta on the road. One day.
Google search turned this up.

"How much is Peter Brocks torana worth?
Peter Brock's 1982/83 Bathurst winning HDT Commodore VH SS has sold at auction for $2.1 million" 2018

Ugh I'm a few million shy, Anyone loan me a buck?

 

Ah, but those are Australian dollars in a land where Fosters cans are considered currency....

 

I like Fosters.👍

 

Something for those who like straight line go

 

Here is some Aussie iron that caught my eye while visiting my son in Perth two years ago. First is a Holden Ute with a V8 engine parked at a big box store and an older Holden sedan in front of the marketplace in Perth. I really would like to have one of those Utes!

 

Here is some Aussie iron that caught my eye while visiting my son in Perth two years ago. First is a Holden Ute with a V8 engine parked at a big box store and an older Holden sedan in front of the marketplace in Perth. I really would like to have one of those Utes!

Yes I also rather like some of the utes, The 215 known unofficially as a FX never really appealed to me. I probably prefer the hot Torana models. I worked with a guy who had a rare one it was called Torana SLR5000 L34 only one I have ever seen in the flesh, there are many fakes.
My father in law had a factory Triple carb Torana LC XU-1, yella terror head, big cam, Kermit green with a bright yellow whip antenna that extended from the front guard and was tied down at the boot. Truly a product of is time.
Then later He bought a VK Brock Calias very rare which he traded on a Jag when he retired, sounds like a mistake to me.

 

The Jag is a total mistake. I have one.

 

So many interesting cars from other parts of the world (as we all know and our reason for being on this forum...), but here in the US, most act like nothing exists or happens outside of our borders.

Some people here have finally discovered the Ford 250 inline six. We gave up on it over here, but down there it became a crossflow motor, found turbos and eventually twin cams. The old 144" Falcon motor developed into a 4.0 capable of 436hp from the factory and tuners getting upwards of 600hp and sub-10 second quarter mile times.

The one I like is the Chrysler hemi-head straight six designed in Detroit for use in trucks, but never used here. The top factory (Australia) version was used in the E49 Valiant Charger. Triple side draft Webers and slightly over 300 hp. I also like the Valiant Charger...

 

The valient chargers are pretty cool. I think hot rod magazine talked about them a while back.

 

nice color too

 

XC Falcon Cobra: 10 Incredible Facts About Australia's Coolest Muscle Car

Collectors are going crazy over this rare and aggressive machine from Down Under. Here's why the XC Falcon Cobra is now a classic treasure.

www.hotcars.com

Here's a model that probably slipped under your radar

 

My Neighbor just bought ? the pinto version? of that?

 

The XC Cobra was pretty neat. A friend has an XB John Goss Special and an XB sedan.

My favorite was the XYGT HO. One of the guys over here, Anthony Gant, I think, made a two door XY GT Replica in pale blue.

 

‘Australia’s best’ Ford Falcon GTHO Phase III sets new price record - carsales.com.au

Auctioneers confident prized ‘Yellow Glo’ Hoey will fetch record price of circa-$1.5m

www.carsales.com.au

The XY GTHO phase 3 all four door to my knowledge. The next HO was going to be the XA GT HO phase 4 was a Hard top but it never happened because Australia passed stupid laws limiting power/weight ratio to reduce accident stats.

 

Ford Falcon GTHO Phase IV sets new price record for an Australian-made road car

One of Australia’s rarest cars – a 1972 Ford XA Falcon GTHO Phase IV – has reportedly sold for $1.75 million, overtaking the previous record of $1.15 million paid for a pristine 1971 Ford XY Falcon GTHO Phase III earlier this year.

www.drive.com.au

Looks like I was wrong the phase 4 was also a 4 door.

 

Gant acquired all the XY GT parts including the front and rear sheetmetal to build a phantom replica. I think he even converted to RHD.