American Learns about the Aussie Holden LX Torana A9X

[@IWrocker]

What Car should I learn about next!!! ⁉⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇⬇¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@shane35188]

Xy/xw falcon Gt-ho phase 3 the most expensive cars in Australia from the same era u need to do some more fords from this era

[@peterjames5906]

Brock's VK Commodore. Having driven Mt Panorama, HiddenValley race track in Darwin NT, and Phillip Island, can I suggest a review of some of the cars and bikes around Phillip Island race track, especially turn 4or 5 and Lukey Heights.

[@maxfish4770]

Mick Taylor.

[@vortex925]

XW-XY Phase 3 gen or the XA-XC or as you'd know it the Mad Max car

[@hainesy67]

@@peterjames5906 That big banger was pure evil, probably the last real Aussie Beast.

[@ClunieGarage]

G'day mate, thanks for the shout out and profiling our video! We are doing a heap of other videos like this as well as our race car builds. Thanks again mate and we have subbed!!!

[@mikeadams5141]

2 great channels following each other. You love to see it :-D

[@tim0e]

Subscribed, cheers

[@menix1984]

Australian cars like the 1970 Ford XY GT Falcon, 1973,1974 Ford XB GT Falcon, 1972 VH Valiant Charger, 1969 HT Holden Monaro, 1972,1973 HQ Holden Monaro all from the greatest era of Australian motoring and I do agree with you about the Holden Torana.

[@BradGryphonn]

I'm a Ford fan. However, when I was a young teen, I got to ride in a modified A(X. This thing had a 308 with twin 750 Double-pumpers on top of a tunnel ram manifold and was freaking scary quick. Just awesome. The same bloke ( a neighbour) also owned an L34 Bathurst spec 'sleeper'. Oh, and my dad worked at as a senior mechanic at a major Holden dealer for a while, so he would bring home many of the second-hand trade-ins 'to test drive'. Statesmans, Devilles, Toranas etc. He brought home a Hot Pink GTR XU1 Bathurst model one day. Oh, maaaan.

[@baird55aus]

yes and the 308 and the 253 V8s were an Australian design which took elements of other GM V8s to create an Australia only engine

[@andrewcoulter323]

the XU-1 was a beast ey....

[@jjdees]

My Dad had one of these when I was growing up (1977 LX Torana a9x hatch). Awesome car. 5L 308 beast I remember him taking us for a "drive" and doing about 220km/h on the main straight between the city of Geraldton (Western Australia)and the airport outside of town. He got rid of it to a "friend" (before they skyrocketed in value. The friend ripped the motor out and put it into a regular 4 door "sunbird' which really pissed my dad off and he regretted selling it when that happened. My partner knew I loved that car, so last year (just before my Birthday) she saw a puzzle featuring my dad's car (exactly the same) and brought it for me. Best present ever. My dad's been dead for 15 years now, so it was a great memory jolter and I have to admit I cried a bit. I would love to have the cash to buy one to relive my childhood. One day maybe. RIP dad.

[@nickmichalopoulos2833]

Dude pleade shut up so we can hear the history of the A 9X L34

[@_alifeallmine_]

This and the ‘Mad Max’ 2 Door Falcon are far and away my favourite Aussie Classics. Was awesome to grow up in that time. My friend had a highly modified 2 Door Falcon, so many great memories of driving it, being a passenger cruising and on long coastal trips. Great times.

[@dougcox3990]

The A9X didn't have roller rockers, but had twin thermatic fans behind the radiator for cooling, and the floor pan was unique to the A9X in order to fit the disc brake equpped 10 bolt Salisbury diff. No radio. Also the RTS, Radial Tuned Suspension which turned Holdens, particularly the HZ, from ploughs to handlers.

[@nobikeman]

Actually the same floor used in the UC Torana

[@obiemichaels9675]

actually you’re both wrong They didn’t have twin fans they had d a single fan in front of the radiator and the rear floor is not UC it’s unique to the A9X

[@corzahazard444]

As a bonus tip, that not many people really know, those cowls on the bonnet actually draw in fresh air to the carburetor, not let the heat out like most think, there's a big negative pressure between that and the the windshield that then sucks air in

[@davidwarland2680]

lol ok, we all knew

[@divusaugstus]

As I mentioned in my comment on your Brock final lap vid you definitely check out the Torana XU1 - I also mistyped GTHO as GTO. I’ll never hear the end of that Aussie gear heads.

[@56music64]

iWocker, can we bottle your enthusiasm and passion! My new fav and I am not even a car head!

[@kevinbowron2688]

I'm a Ford man always, but I drove one of these, canary yellow, for about 6 months, majorly worked 308 and it was awesome, have to say the most enjoyable car to drive.( thrash ).

[@fetusmccarlane9627]

I love Vega's. I've had a few Toranas over the years and my mum had an LH SLR 4.2 litre V8 4 speed when I was a young teenager.

[@fetusmccarlane9627]

And Check out the Chrysler E49 Charger

[@sporkfindus4777]

I was wondering if it was more closely related to the Chevy Vega. Obviously the GM design language stretched across the continents.

[@304motorsport9]

My uncle was friends with the guy that owned Brocks original Bathurst A9X, he had it stored in one of his sheds in the 90’s, got me hooked on Torana’s. They are the best looking old school car out there.

[@procrasin1]

Thanks so much for this video this was close to my heart and took me back to when I was 16 to 22 when I owned a worked 186 6 cylinder LH Torana dun up to look like the SLR5000. You’d be surprised just how hard it would go for a 6 cylinder and how it’d handle like it was on rails. But after the v8 went into it was an altogether different very scary animal which when I look back on those years I always feel that I am lucky to be alive today …. I loved that car!

[@barryphillips7327]

Love the look of the SLR5000 with a 308!! My Dad had a HZ ute with a 308, nice ute!!

[@knytestorme]

Growing up we had a GTHO, a HQ 308 and an XB fastback. I've had an XY GT, R33 Skyline, XR-8 and currently driving an SS-V Commodore. Growing up watching Bathurst, being a major Brocky fan there are only 2 cars I'd sell my soul for, a 77 Firebird and a 79 A9X SS (though possibly also an XU-1 as an different shaped Torana). The thing that always drew me in were the sound, the flares, the stance, that drop-tank and yeah if you ever see one with full-length side pipes it's the sexiest car ever made in my opinion, even counting hypercars and supercars

[@dylanzrim3635]

Surprised there’s not a VL in there, but I guess you got your RB goodness from the 33

[@knytestorme]

@@dylanzrim3635 yeah, I had always wanted a 33 or a 34 and got a great deal on an import., Blown turbo about 6 months in showed me why it was a good deal, but that just gave an excuse for more power :D

[@schrader.w.e]

Very nice collection of yours you have had

[@ianm3172]

You have good taste in cars, fun fun fun in an XU1.😎

[@dieselbuilder5901]

I owned a stock 4 door '78 LX Torana in the 80's. I put the flare kit on it and just as factory stock it would do nearly 200km/h. My cousin owned an A9X and it truly was an absolutely awesome beast! Great memories you're bringing back my friend!

[@mista2621]

Easy , Peter Brock won in the XU1 torana ( a 202 6cly), SLR5000 torana and the A9X torana. In Aus and NZ , you were either a Holden or Ford Man , Brocky was our Holden Hero. I've always been a Holden Man Home grow Muscle from Downunder

[@davidwarland2680]

lol yep, holdens were, so far better that, fords, nothing compared, 1979, A9X best ozzy car ever

[@nicholasfelsbourg4526]

both Holden and Ford had great cars in the late 1960s through to the early 80s , the Holden Torana Hatch in the 1970s had a attachable tent that when you had the hatch open you attached the shroud making it a camper and place to sleep, the 1970s had the get away panel vans like the Sandman giving you the freedom to camp and sleep where you wanted and handy at the drive ins to have the tail gate facing the screen to watch the movies.

[@toddhagan1454]

Starting to sound like a Holden Man there Ian. Bleed red brother 👊🏼

[@lynwill65]

My first car was a 1974 LH Torana, a 6cyl, 3 speed manual on the column. I LOVED it!! My sister had a 6cyl LJ Torana (original type). My car was great until an idiot ran a red light and hit me.

[@nickl2548]

The A9X was also built as a 4 door, however the two door hatchback was preferred by race teams for its aerodynamics especially for the Bathurst race.

[@markgriffin4888]

I'm thinking you will find that the 4door version was the L34. First in that body shape was the SLR5000 , piece of shit ,then the L34, then the A9X ,which came as a six cylinders.

[@gregfletchet200]

@@markgriffin4888 There were LX Torana A9X Sedans all built in 1977 and all with 308 V8 motors . There was never an optional engine . The L34 was the earlier LH Torana .

[@markgriffin4888]

@@gregfletchet200 - sorry to disappoint you but there were 6 cylinder SS fastback 2dr LX. I worked with a gentleman who owns one, and he wins a lot of bets against people who don't believe him. He purchased the vechicle new,has the paperwork to prove that the vechicle is 100% original.

[@gregfletchet200]

@@markgriffin4888 Not disappointed at all , it’s just good of you to confirm what an ignorant Flog you are . An LX Torana SS 6 cyclinder is NOT an A9X . It is a completely different car . As I stated , every Torana A9X had a 308 V8 motor .Do some basic research and you might actually learn something .

[@kobie7515]

​​@@gregfletchet200 😂 100% correct A9X were 100% 308 v8 . LX SS were 2 door hatch available in 6 or 253 and 308 V8 .same for LX SLR 4 DOOR 202 .253. Or 308 . A9X was both 2 door hatch and 4 door .so either SS or SLR5000 . Lot of people dont know this for some reason. I owned and drove the LX SS 308 ( not A9X) and also had LX SS 202 back in the 90s .owned many varients but those 2 were my favs . Had A9X replicas and L34 replica but never owned the real ones 😢

[@susancoman5529]

My son bought a TD Gemini wagon when he was 17. Still has it, original. Perfect condition. His pride and joy.

[@davidkeep6526]

Fantastic to see your interest in great cars from different countries ! A true auto fan can appreciate a 1500 british sports car and an 8ltr viper ! Stay safe man. 😎👍

[@micheledix2616]

Many an Aussie driver in the 70's drove on road not hotted Toranas including this old lady when a young mother. Loved my Torana with its Isuzu motor. What pick up to pass a heavy truck on the highway. Just a plain of the assembly line not hotted , just fantastic little beastie

[@edwardfletcher7790]

Even the 6 cylinder model of the Torana hatchback was excellent. It was so lightweight the handling was fantastic ! I hope everyone watching this realises that the A9X is a +$250,000 car now, only 47 made ? 200kw = 270hp, yeah not huge power but it was light, the road car weighed only 1242kg /2738lb, the race car would have been under 1100kg/2425lb. I've only seen an A9X once, it drove past me up a hill in the mid 1980's, OMG, I'd never heard a car that sounded more like an angry Lion, BEAUTIFUL and terrifying at the same time !

[@chrish4469]

There were 305 sedans and 100 hatchs for sale to the public. 11 sedans and 41 hatches were sold through GMP&A to race teams with no motor or gearbox

[@edwardfletcher7790]

@@chrish4469 Thanks for this post Chris, I must have been reading about the 41 A9X Hatchback race cars you mentioned. My reference was probably that old 1990's Motor magazine that said "1 of 41" on the front cover...

[@ldnwholesale8552]

The 6 cyl Torana was very nimble, more so than the V8s. A better version of the 6 would have even been better. And I have owned several LH LX UC in 4, 6 and V8.

[@wallywalpamur4960]

What makes you think it was an A9X?

[@chrish4469]

@@wallywalpamur4960 What are you on about?

[@popeye807]

Hey Ian I looked up an auction price for a rare Torana A9X it went for $775,000 Australian dollars and that was in 2021

[@NoBustdPluggers]

Dude, there are so many classic muscle cars in Australia, look into the Chrysler R/T Charger E49, Hemi I6 ran a 14.0s stock 1/4 mile the Ford XY GT HO Phase III ran a 14.4s stock & XA GT HO Phase IV, the XA, XB, XC Ford Falcon 2 door the XC had the cobra pack, '69 Valiant VF coupe based on the dodge dart with cosmetic differences, Holden Monaro HQ also the HK, HT, HG models in the late 60's. I'm a Mopar fan with a soft spot for most Bowtie/Lion cars.

[@YetMoreCupsOfTea]

Nothing like the sound of the R/T Charger. My father had a sleeper version of one - a Charger wagon in plain cream paint with nice mags, but where he'd re-built the engine to widen the bore somewhat, switched out the cam, and added triple Webbers, among other other tweaks. I remember the rumble of him coming home from work in my early childhood.

[@ldnwholesale8552]

E49 was 13x8 at the street drags, HOs could not break out of 14s. A standard GT was only marginally slower as were L34s with some OEM hop up bits. But they exploded gearboxes and diffs. 308 XU1 were mid 13s. And yes there was several in Adelaide in that period. And a 454 Austin A90 was low 12s. Very fast in those days, mid 70s

[@308V8HZ]

My 1978 Holden Premier has an L31 with over 330klm 's on the clock and its never been overhauled , a couple of horses have left the paddock but still runs like new . Just shows you the work that went into these racing engines !!!

[@740amvblongneck9]

We really love our 4 doors. Also love wagons and of course the ute.

[@stevenbalekic5683]

And panelvans....holden sandman and valiant drifter

[@liamgross7217]

@@stevenbalekic5683 Sandman with GTS dash and front panels looked the best of the vans I reckon . Holden’s bolt on and off front clips HQ-HZ we’re great.

[@oldskool1977]

I've had 2 Holden LX Torana's and love them. My 2nd was a V8 with a Supra 5 speed. It flew.

[@damianm3786]

As a Ford fan, Ian you should check out XB Ford Falcon the same car use in the original Mad Max (road warrior). I owned a XB coupe I love it. Now I have FG XR8 Falcon.

[@xpusostomos]

The hardtop Falcon is what made me a Ford fan. Still think it's the greatest looking car ever.

[@damianm3786]

@@xpusostomos same here mate and I love the dash it’s like a cockpit.

[@rodneymcgiveron]

@@damianm3786 likewise ....the A9X is a stunner ..my favourite Torana by a country mile but the Falcon coupe is probably better ...Never get sick of looking at the last XC Cobra ...an absolute masterpiece ..

[@dosdahrk4504]

Mmmm sweet dessert the xbCoupe is

[@damianm3786]

@@rodneymcgiveron the A9X were beasts the power weight ratio was unreal. I love my XB coupe with 351 Cleveland had lots of balls, did great burnouts.

[@brettjohnson1475]

from 1989 Up until 2001 I was the owner of several SLR Torana's I had a 4.2 lt V8 253Ci still a pretty lethal machine. One of my biggest regrets was letting those machines go!

[@Notric]

Xu-1 would be great choice for next Holden.

[@kaindog100]

Absolutely

[@ianm3172]

I agree ☝️

[@danehamilton8831]

The little six cylinder that could...

[@YetMoreCupsOfTea]

I very nearly had an 77 LX Torana coupe as my first car (not one of the v8 models - it was a 202 straight six with a 350 Holley and a lump cam), but my mechanic uncle persuaded me not to buy it because there was an issue with the steering column. At the time, LX Toranas were cheap and a dime-a-dozen. Now I sort of wish I had bought it and just fixed it up. The same car today would fetch big dollars - it had a straight body, and had recently been repainted in a nice deep green and reupholstered in black leather. At some point in my life I'll buy one - the dream never faded.

[@pantonman]

My first car was a 1976 LX Torana, 6 cylinder. It went like a rocket.

[@tim0e]

Yeah, mine too, the 2850. But mine was a 77 that I bought in 78. It'd still do the ton (but my passenger side door would start to open a bit at the top when I got there)

[@pantonman]

@@tim0e I traded mine in 1982 for a new VH 5 speed Commodore. within 6 months the Torana had been stolen from the new owner and pushed over the cliff at Big Hill near Lorne, Vic. 200 metres straight down to the rocks.

[@dresdyn100]

I remember my parents talking about getting a new car they agreed that the 77 LZ Kingswood be a great idea as my little brother had just been born so heaps of space. So dad goes down to the local Holden dealer and returns telling us he'd ordered it. We were all excited on delivery day and waited for dad to arrive home with our new car. I heard a deep "thrumming" coming down the road and then this red beast arrived in our driveway... 2 door version. It was the first and only serious argument I ever heard my parents ever have to this day. We kept it for years but mum got her Kingswood about 12 months later after dad conceded that putting a kid in a kiddy seat in the back of the LX was a pain in the arse.

[@alsheps300]

The conversion from Kilowatts to Mechanical Horsepower is about 1.34 Horsepower to a Kilowatt. So 170KW is about 227HP

[@nordic5490]

And the 176kw stated by Holden was gross power, ie, engine dyno room power, with the altenator and water pump pully removed.

[@brucelamberton8819]

Although it wasn't anything like the later (ie. Commodore-era) operation, HDT gave customers the option of performance upgrades, with the car shipped from the dealer to the HDT workshop in Melbourne. Various options were available from enabling the bonnet scoop and cold air intake, engine mods (although road cars still had to run the L31 as the L34 wasn't certified under ADR27A regulations for pollution control) to full blue-printing. Output varied up to about 260hp.

[@streetguru3054]

One car you might find interesting as some people love it and some hate it is the 88 Holden VL HSV SS Group A Commodore ( AKA Walkinshaw ) it did win Bathurst in 1990 against the R32 Skyline and the Ford Sierra Cosworth

[@mitchbyrnes6312]

He should watch “Peter Brock’s racing car collection to be auctioned off” by Lloyds auctions, not only do they go though and show off his cars and a replica off pb’s first ever race car which he build from stretched, and the replica was build by peters son, and u really get a sense of the man behind the legend, and y besides his skill behind the wheel, he is soo beloved

[@1953beetle]

Just to think that Peter started off as a priviteer,and became a hero to many.May he rest in peace (he also set a few records that will never be beaten,like winning Bathurst by 6 laps).

[@damiangordon6906]

My first car was a LX torana and even though it was only a 4 cylinder it was so much fun to drive and definitely helped pick up the chicks back in the day lol

[@peterbarber7613]

Damiam Gordon. Just wondering so you had the LX Sunbird

[@shane35188]

Xy/xw falcon Gt-ho the most expensive cars in Australia from the same era u need to do some more fords from this era

[@damianm3786]

Good choice

[@stephenrawles89]

My old man had an SLR 5000 when i was little and all i can remember of it was it being bright yellow with all the grafix and alot of fun driving around town in it

[@maxrockatanksyOG]

Late 90's, High School, NE NSW. One of my friends, his older brother had a genuine SLR 5000 in that Burnt Orange colour with the black stripes, he would drop off us at school and nail it up the road. Their dad was a HDT engine tuner in the mid to late 70's, so he had built the motor & box and had tuned the damn thing (he said he would take the Holdens from Bathurst out to Blayney and back and "road tune" them), this was the days when Japanese imports were _just_ starting to build traction here in Australia- and that frigging SLR 5000 would decimate all until the early 2000's when big power imports were the thing.

[@terryg1575]

A9X and late 60s Mustangs are two of my all time favourite cars. Current model favourite car is the 3 cylinder GR Yaris…bespoke homologation car for the FIA WRC. Like the A9X, lot of power in small car.

[@boostabuse]

Check out the Holden Sandman or Ford Sierra Cosworth or Falcon XA,XB,XC, Coupe. VK Commodore, VL Commodore.all Group A racers. and can't forget when Mini won Bathurst 1966 I think. so much too chose from 👍

[@flamingfrancis]

In 1966 race Morris Cooper S's (1275cc) finished in the top nine positions outright and in Class C. A Morris Cooper (998cc) finished 12th outright and first in class B..also 2nd and 3rd in class. Morris 850 and Morris Mini deluxe were in class A and finished. All were not same as today's Minis.

[@FunzR32]

Randomly came across your channel, nice focus on Aussie things! Also 1 KW = 1.34 HP approx ;)

[@drummerboy2834]

LX easily the best looking Torana built

[@_Hamish]

LJ >

[@IWrocker]

Agreed

[@drummerboy2834]

@@_Hamish not a huge fan of LJ’s, too pointy for me… That’s why I love my HQ coupes, perfect mix of front ends 👍

[@_Hamish]

@@drummerboy2834 Yeah they are all beautiful. I just love the shape of the LJ coupe but the LX is gorgeous as well. I would be a happy man owning either.

[@johnwallace6429]

I love what the A9x did for GM down under.. But the LJ XU1 is just the sweetest little 6 cylinder that could give you a slighty fizzing feeling in your pants while shredding your tyres and not crashing into a hedge.

[@ShonicTHedgehog]

I’m a Ford guy, but do have a bit of a soft spot for the A9X. How couldn’t you? Another one you should check out is the Ford Falcon XC Cobra. Such a beautiful coupe. I’d love to own one someday, but I don’t think that’s ever gonna happen! A friend of my family has or had one though. Very cool.

[@randalltheuekauf6043]

Torana is Aboriginal for " To Fly"

[@gregstuart9783]

Do you know what DROOL is an aboriginal? 😅

[@tonysmith5887]

@@gregstuart9783😂

[@Staffo1972]

Being a Aussie i'm a big fan of Holdens and valiant chryslers, would love to own a 1972 Z28 for sure

[@brucestorey3400]

Many thanks for the compliments re Australian performance cars. The A9X changed everything. Looked great, handled well, stopped well, and it won almost everything. Not often talked about was the Holden Dealer Team A9X's First, Second Third place result at the Waneroo Speedway in Perth, Aust. in around 1979.

[@davidprice7162]

My first car was my mums old LX Torana. When she gave it to me, I switched out the old 202 with an over bored 186 with a 4 barrel carby, headers and hot ass cam in it, sprayed it blue and put an slr5000 flair kit on it. Never had the money for a V8 unfortunately. But you can get plenty of horsepower out of a 6. Could easily spin the wheels on it. God i wish I still had it.

[@F1Tragic]

The early 70’s was a wonderful era for Aussie muscle cars, the Ford GTHO Phase 3, the Torana GTR XU1 and the Valiant Charger L34 - then came the two-door Falcons and the Torana’s you are reviewing now. Timeless classics in this part of the world. FYI: Someone has probably told you by now but the GTHO Phase 3 was the fastest four-door production car in the world when it was released, what a lot of people do not know is, the last Ford Falcon XR6 (non turbo) runs the same quarter mile time as the GTHO Phase 3! The evolution of the motor car is a great story in itself!

[@Thiswasmeanttobeeasy]

A mate's father had a four cylinder LC Torana when I was young. We called it the Turd Runner.

[@barbz8122]

Dick Johnson's reaction to driving Brock's a9x torana at Bathurst is great content, u must see, he tells great stories about each other, it was done recently too

[@darianistead2239]

Even Brock driving a phase 3 round Bathurst was a great story.

[@DMRH69]

On the street scene. The A9X was a legend for the "midnight racers". This was before their value skyrocketed like today. I recall my low 12-sec Mazda RX-3 coupe against one guys high 12-sec A9X back in the early 90's. We often raced each other out the back of industrial zones as part of Sydney's "Midnight racing" scene. His V8 torque getting the starts but the Rotary revs overtaking him around the 350-400m mark He was amazed at the little 1.3lt Rotary surpassing his V8 muscle car each time. Remember that a 12-sec street car in the early 90's was considered "quick" & neither had any drag-racer set-ups, talking pure street racing sports / touring suspension / tyres.... Once he asked to "Swap cars" as he was curious to learn what is it about these rotaries. So we raced each other. I took his A9X, he took my RX-3.........lol What a hoot, he came back commenting...... "It's super smooth with no torque but it still pins my A9X. I don't get it".... My comment back to him was. "Your A9X is all torque & feels very rough (brutal). Pins me into the seat but runs out of puff as the revs rise". Yet it matches my RX-3 (in certain conditions) The weird things we did back then. A Rotary guy taking this V8 for a blast whilst the Torana guy takes the Rotary out. Conclusions...... The A9X guy felt like he just violated an unwritten oath, I'm happy to stay with my A9X Conclusions...... The RX-3 guy feeling like, those V8's are too brutal. Give me smooth anytime

[@fknows1]

You could race these Torana A9X's straight from the dealership, I was lucky enough to be involved in the development of RTS suspension technology and the for the A9X and also the development of handling components for Peter Brocks Torana's, there was also A A9X4 door built and raced as well peter brock did wont to bring Chevy Monza into Australia and race as well ,but Holden wanted their own,

[@shaneeslick]

G'day Ian, The Torana came as a SS for the Hatch & SL/R for the Sedan, as you saw here A9X was not a Model but an Option that added some Performance Improvement Parts & also Deleted some 'Unnecessary' Parts, from '74-'77 the Torana body used for Racing was the SL/R Sedan, the SS Hatch became the Preferred Body with the introduction of the A9X for the '77 Enduros (Sandown 500 & Bathust 1000) although there were some SL/R5000 A9X 4 doors raced too, the SL/R 4 Door had higher Production numbers than the SS Hatch. The L34 308ci/5044cc was the Motor for SL/R, SS & GTS up to '77, the L31 had more aggressive Emissions Restrictions which lowed the HP/KW Output, but the Race Cars were allowed to continue using the L34 Race Homologation Spec, one difference the A9X had for the Road & Race Cars was that it used an Electric Fan rather than powered by the Engine.

[@marksolomon6113]

It was 1989 Bought an $350 Rusty LH Torana 4 door 4 cylinder opal motor I think off an uncle. I cooked that & had a full recon XU1 spec 186 6 cylinder with a two barrel holly carburetor fitted to a 5 speed commodore gear box 3:36 gear ratio it was my family car went the clappers 14” mags rear 13” front Loved the old Holden especially the Torana ever since

[@markanthonyjosephcox4359]

Good see an American learning about the Mighty Aussie A9X Torana & legend like Peter Brock who we regard highly in Australian motor sport history, it’s not just America who built fast V8 cars to race to many motor sport victories.

[@sporkfindus4777]

Cosworth Vega was interesting too. Being a GM fan in the UK, I'd love an old Vauxhall Firenza, Ventora or VX4/90 or Cavalier Coupe or Opel Manta B. If you took one look at any of these cars, you would know instantly that they are GM. Unfortunately we never had V8s in our Vauxhalls (until the 2000s anyway), but the Germans did manage to put V8s in some of the big luxury Opels. I'm a big fan of Gerry Marshall who raced Magnum Firenzas (teammates with Peter Brock, who sometimes raced Vauxhalls in Europe), Old Nail (HP Firenza), Big Bertha (Ventora with a Holden V8), Baby Bertha (HP Firenza with Holden V8) and Mega Bertha (Cavalier Coupe which never raced). There's an interesting short video on KZbin called The Car that Outran the Cops about 40RA that's worth a watch. Of course you also had the Opel Mantas and Vauxhall HS Chevettes that did well in rallying. But American and Australian GM musclecars are something else. I'm a huge Pontiac Firebird fan in particular. These Holdens though are gorgeous. I was so pleased when Vauxhall-Opel just decided "f*** it!!" and imported and rebadged Holden Monaros a few years back at the same time as the Pontiac GTO made a return.

[@Andoryuuu]

When I was growing up, Mum had a canary yellow 4 door LH Torana with a Bathurst 202 motor in it that was her daily driver, Dad built the engine himself with my Uncle (the two of them were mechanics) absolutely loved that car, she was a beast, sounded glorious too. I really miss that car.

[@brucelamberton8819]

Actually, the A9X was available in both 4-door sedan and 2(3)-door hatchback.

[@matthewridgeway9250]

I had two Toranas. LH and UC. The options were wild. From various V8s, straight 6s and 4 cylinder motors, to Automatic and various manual gear boxes and braking components. All the bodies were set up to accept all the options so that mostly, no modifications were needed to build your Torana to your own preferences if one wanted too. They were very comfortable to ride in too and handled exceptionally well. They are actually a UK/German originsl design I think, but Australians are pretty good at tweeking designs to make them a litte better than the original design. These were built as Opals in Europe, Vauxhall in UK and Hindustan Contessa in India. Wagon versions were released in Asia, maybe in UK/Europe too, I am not sure, but these cars were fantastically broard in their availability. So, I hope one day, someone builds a museum with every option and body shape of this car represented. My 1978 UC Torana had a salisbury diff and a 202 CI 3.3L. Had a Traumatic (Trimatic) gearbox originally, but I changed that to an M21 four speed manual gearbox quite easily. Tha cast iron exhaust manifolds would bent like a banana over years because the alloy intake manifold would keep the middle of the exhauls manifold cooler then the ends. So an extractor exhaust system was a better option which I signed up to. So yes, they were fantastic were fantastic cars. Wish I never traded mine in.

[@philbox4566]

You should definitely check out the Holden Monaro series of touring cars as well. The HK 1968 model was a gorgeous beasty.

[@johnussss]

Chevy 308 in a light weight 2 door, and it looked BOSS!! Brocky drove the 79 race with an arm resting on the window and won by 6 laps.

[@Bsqudge]

I tell you what, that Chevy Vega looks very nice, definitely wouldn't be sad to own one of those baby's!

[@mgunning7362]

The nostalgia reigns supreme. A car from the showroom not a great performer. Just a package that had the homologated bits to take racing and develop. They are very cool, wish I had one now, but the a9x back in the day was mums shopping cart with a V8 and a big fuel tank.

[@jonsant7232]

As I've said I owned a LX Torana in the 80s it was the best car I've ever owned even better than the new V8 Commodore I had in the 90s

[@tysonc1633]

Hey Ian, these are hard to find or see driving, every now and then clubs go on cruises and there are a few, when I see them in person they are awe inspiring. You would be drooling. A mate had a LH sedan with 186cu 4 spd I loved driving it. Another had a 308 LH, quickest car I had been in, crazy. Then he got a VK Brock grp 3. 304 cu.

[@michaelreis7010]

I'm Aussie Chrysler and Mopar all the way but that shot of the A9X with the Marlboro on it is one of my favourite Car's of all time , it's a Sweet Machine

[@coralblake9868]

Thanks for reacting to this. 👍 I grew up riding in Dad’s XA Falcon Coupe, Walnut Glow paint job. My second car was a Holden UC . Yet I must admit was jealous, and happy that my cousin got his hands on an old racing Holden. It was driven by Bond/Firth. So cool. It had once had a blue and white paint job, just to confuse us all. Before that the red and white version. It has now been returned to the red and white racing colours and gets out to the tracks for show only.

[@chrisrumble2665]

Fun fact. The A9X's were actually built on the UC floorpan - which is why you can't really make a replica from the normal LX's.

[@chrisrumble2665]

@@KrissKwaddFPV Quite correct!

[@divusaugstus]

I live in Canberra and it’s considered to be the hot rod capital of australia according to some people and it’s not uncommon to see 70’s corvettes - well occasionally - and I was driving my happy little MX5 and had a Torana pass me. Wow! When I was growing up in Armidale NSW in the 70’s I remember the highway patrol used to have a couple of them. Earlier GTR’s if I remember correctly. One was purple and the wallopers who drove them wore knee high jack boots, leather jackets and leather caps. They looked like storm troopers. When I was driving on my P plates and saw one of them appear in my mirrors I’d be packing it until they passed me! Speaking of great engines, I learned to drive in my mother’s 74 351 cu Fairlane. Amazing engine. Handled like a brick of course.

[@lachlanamodeo3124]

Hay mate awesome video it’s not very often these cars get put in the world spotlight seems to be the case with most of the vehicles we produced down under but that’s another story. If you want to know more about the Holden A9X Torana and how it came about first you need to have a look at its predecessor the L34 Torana both the L34 and the A9X Torana were factory race specials designed for competition use for the Australian touring car championship of the day both these vehicles were very potent bits of machinery on the streets and on the track . The early L34 competition Torana introduced in 1974 was a upgraded package on the LH series Torana SLR 5000 the LH SLR 5000 was raced early 1974 but provided to be not up to the task so Holden modified the the original LH SLR 5000 to make it more suitable for competition use there for the LH SLR 5000 L34 package was made. The L34 was a very good package but suffered a few reliably issues manly due to its drive line still almost the same as the previous model racing Torana the 6 cylinder Torana XU1 so the L34 was still using the XU1 stile 4speed gear box and the tiny little banjo rear axle behind what is now a 400+ hp Holden L34 V8 there for you had to drive very smooth to not brake teeth and shred gears in the gear box and not get on the gas to aggressively out of the corners because you would snap a rear axle in the tiny diff . So in 1977 the A9X Torana was introduced in the LX Torana range in both 2 and 4 door body stiles the A9X basically was the update on the L34 to rectify all of the short comings the previous model had so this was done by changing the gear box to the super T10 borgwarner gear box and the 10 bolt Salisbury diff and things like that all to make the most potent muscle car in Australian history

[@billmago7991]

A9X hatchback came with an option camping package called the hatch hutch. Its my fave alltime car....i was 14 in '77 and wanted one then and still do now😊

[@LxToranaHatchy720hp]

That pale yellow torana you mentioned is called jasmine yellow and is a pastell flat colour. My favourite colour and is the same as my 1978 LX Torana with a 253 V8 and auto from factory production. Love it to bits.

[@davidhorsey7164]

At about 1200kgs nearly 400hp handling was spot on with rack n pinion decent rubber drive train to handle hp, brakes to suit it was an instant classic even a 6 went well

[@brucelamberton8819]

I had a 4-door UC with a properly worked 202 (12-port big valve Yella Terra head, roller rockers,,etc) triples, electronic ignition and 2.5" exhaust. 270hp driving through a 5-speed box from a VK Commodore, 4-pot brakes, shoter ratio LSD, -2" coils, gas shocks and polybushes all round on 7" wide alloy rims. It went and handled like stink and everyone thought it was a V8 (not helped by the rego plate being 253xxx) until I lifted the bonnet and showed them.

[@dyran85]

Love your passion for the Torana dude my favourite Holden you need to pack the misses and move down south my friend

[@memoto5944]

First car I fell in love with was a valiant charger, then I went onto Ford XA/XB coupe, then HJ/HQ Monaro/HZ was awesome too, then onto the commodores from VB onwards. A few notable mentions is of course the XY/XW GT's but also the 1956 Customline. As far as american cars I loved the ford mustang mach 1 and the '69 camaro.

[@johnfogarty4588]

Another Torana to look at is the 1972 Torana XU-1 GTR. Pocket rocket. In-line 6 triple Webber carburetors

[@Cheesychicken98]

As an Aussie I absolutely love your video!

[@Benfica_91]

I struggle with KW as well and I'm Australian, you Americans got it right with power figures HP is much easier to understand.

[@waylander1905]

My first car was a LC Torana with the Red 202 6 cylinder engine owned by a single owner grand mother. No joke just like that image of the stock car it had a vinyl roof and floor, skinny steel wheels with hubcaps and was a kinda rusty gold colour, not that pretty to look at. Bought it for $3500. It's bum was nearly dragging on he ground so I thought the rear shocks were shot but I drove it home and found a air valve in the boot and low and behold pumped up the shocks and it already started looking better. Put some chrome 7 slot wide rims and tyres, stripped the vinyl and resprayed the roof, carpet and a racing steering wheel and a sick sound system! Loved that car and like an idiot sold it for $5k and bought a VH 253 VH Commodore which I owned for 6 weeks and put in a ditch and wrote off. Regrets I have had a few as they say.

[@erikmason3470]

Mate was awesome to see some American perspective and appreciation on classic Holden’s the LX SLR5000 is my favorite Holden it is bloody beautiful and such an iconic piece of Australian history. If you like utes definitely check out the kingswood series the HZ 1 tonner is bloody bloody beautiful mate. I am really sad that Holden has stopped being produced in Australia and are now just doing imports it’s really depressing and also this whole electric vehicle is the future is really scary and depressing (won’t be for a long time until they will be viable in Australia because we our country is so spread apart from city to city, compared to America) I am in the transport industry I work on Kenworth trucks and diesel will be around for a while before the electric motors take ove because of our distance. Btw just this is my first time seeing your channel will definitely be looking at more of your videos really enjoyed the whole video

[@theworkshopmechanicchannel3296]

I remember as a kid in the early 80’s seeing one in a showroom at one of the local dealers. From memory it was that orange Fanta in colour. I use to own a HT monza red Monaro when I was 16 and back in 1995 I owned a 1967 XRGT Falcon. I currently own an EH Special sedan.

[@bradwoodhams2877]

The A9X was available as a 4door sedan, while the coupe is more aerodynamic the sedan was lighter, so speed was about the same for both. The L31 engine was the stock 308ci Holden V8, but for racing they were allowed to carry over the L34 engines for racing

[@renidrag67]

And both the ‘78 & ‘79 A9X are still around as part of the 70+ Bowden’s Car Collection 👍🏻

[@susancoman5529]

My husband owned a sandman Ute, but we had to sell it when we were having our first child. With 2 bucket seats, there was no room for a baby capsule. He often joked he could put the capsule under the tonneau cover.

[@svenomick5857]

The early Torana GTR XU1 Shark nose.was a quick little thing 202ci triple carbs.

[@joshuaandrei6481]

Go from 1967 falcon XR our first GT. Ford America originally said no as four doors were taxis lol but we persisted. Go through to 2017 for Ford, Holden and Valiant. Don't miss the vl rb 30 turbos and the Barra 6 turbo as well we had some awesome machines.

[@gregmorgan737]

Actually got to deliver a lounge suite to Bob Morris. Entered the front door , walk down this hallway till it opened up to a family room. On the left in this big glass cabinet, sat the trophy he won at Bathurst. Man, it was huge, the size of it shocked me. And as we know it was the A9X he drove that won the great race.

[@obiemichaels9675]

He won in 76 in an L34 never the A9X And the trophy is a plaque with a map of Bathurst , I had lunch at bobs place a few years ago

[@ldnwholesale8552]

No Esky,, but a boot full of rims once! Brock, 4 door Bill Patterson Torana at Sandown A9X for racing used the L34 engine from the LH Torana and had a better distributor and intake. The standard L31 308 was a gutless smog pig. Homolgated with Super T10 though some of the roadcars had the Aussie 4 speed. The Aussie 10 bolt diff with rear discs and the bigger 11" front rotors, callipers and Stub axle from the full size Holden. Plus the rear boot floor and chassis mods for the next model Torana. So all those UCs had A9X floors. They came as the very visual hatchback as well as 4 doors.

[@ianm3172]

Had one, sold it, worst decision I’ve ever made apart from selling my xu1. It (XU1) Was just awesome to drive. Reading the comments also had the v8 metallic brown sandman with decked out insulated rear without the crapy decals but grew up didn’t/couldn’t dive it much, also bit hard to fit a baby seat. so I became more responsible. So I kept the Suzuki Katana 1100 NZ Carbureted. Passing police on bikes at full twist mistakenly once, was on a trip from Sydney to S.A, was on the way up to eagle on the hill, great series of great bends and short stretch straights😬 at least they were nice about those days, they found me parked a few min later came over to check out the bike, I still missed the xu1. At least I could scare any foolish passenger and myself at the same time. Re XU1’s, I think is was and still is the wild beast of light weight factory street cars inarguably not the safest at higher speeds, even had an air damper underneath many were understandably written off on wet roads. Amazingly people raced them they were fearless heroes to me, then they made the v8 Torana’s, temptation got the better of me. Nowadays I’ve slowed down, my only recent temptation was with a twin charged hot 4 (VW coffin). Gone now 😓So no need for my partner to have lots of additional insurance on me any more as I’m apparently slowing down as I approach my 7th decade, I’m told I’m safer now 😂enclosed by a turbo diesel UTE, yes it even keeps my hit the brakes because “Were going too fast” younger offspring and partner happy, so post Covid I can go fishing and reminisce whilst viewing John Cardigan you tubes to make them happy. Are they really discontinuing those twin turbo stingers 😁?

[@bigoz1977]

I’m a bit of a photographer and any car shows that come around near me will always some awesome toranas or 5000s for me to get some good shots 👍🏻

[@jb1970_Charger]

Great video Ian, can't wait for you to checkout the Aussie Chrysler Charger, never won Bathurst, but insanely fast.

[@manuf.eng.808]

👍

[@shaneanderson788]

Love ozzy hardtops and Brocky is a legend !

[@grimace1965]

The SLR 5000 was a street version and the XU1 also a street car are the quintessential Toranas to have.

[@Stiffdistantandweird]

In the 80’s my brother in law had one of these. I was in awe of it as a young teenager. My sister didn’t understand how he was using the high/low beam and thought he had magic powers for a few weeks 😀