GM HOLDEN TORANA A9X DRIVE AND MORE! - Ron Klein Holden Collection Pt1

Part One of the Ron Klein Holden collection, including a spectacular A9X Torana Hatchback, an amazing LX Hatchback Torana, a VK Group A Commodore and more. The GM Holden Torana A9X was one of the most iconic Australian Muscle Cars ever built. In the 70's, the legendary King of the Mountain dominated in Australian motorsport, and in 1979 he won Bathurst with a lead of six laps, even setting the lap record on the final lap, just to stamp his authority. The combination of the A9X's light kerb weight, potent 308 cubic inch (5 litre) all Aussie Holden V8, T10 4 spd trans and 4 wheel disc brakes made this machine one ferocious racer in the Ford vs Holden (GM) battle for race track supremacy of the late 1970s!
At Master of Machines, we love cars, in fact, we love anything with wheels or an engine, from American Muscle Cars to Australian Muscle Cars, Race Cars and Classic Cars of all kinds and even Barn Finds. If it's fast, powerful, restored or hidden away in hibernation then we'll cover it, and in most cases, we'll even drive them!
Historic race image credit: autopics.com.au

[@dogmatix2008]

Since this was recorded, Ron Klein passed away doing what he loved best, driving his Classic Porsche 911. He is dearly missed by all who knew him, including myself. Prior to this unfortunate event, Ron had sold his A9X for a staggering $450,000. Thanks for posting this video.

[@GlennEverittMasterofMachines]

He was a wonderful man, and I must admit, myself and the team here felt quite emotional whilst editing this revised variant for the channel, it was heartbreaking. So very sad and a huge loss.

[@beatlemike9]

@@GlennEverittMasterofMachines What a good man

[@zwarst]

I wonder if the 911 was a Porsche 930 Turbo - The Widowmaker

[@dogmatix2008]

@@zwarst Ron's Porsche was not the 930. I believe it was a mid 80's 911, nothing special, but he loved it. I cannot imagine how he crashed it, maybe he had a medical episode.

[@TheTruckdriver999]

Sorry to hear he sounded like he was genuine character

[@tuffstreetcars3245]

R.I.P Ron😭😭😭😭😢😢😢Thx for buying holdens and the torana

[@gragrn]

God bless Ron Klein. He was obviously very successful in life and used his money to preserve a part of Australia's motoring heritage. He will be sadly missed by all. Thank you Ron.

[@davepaulagaunt1975]

Glenn, I was stunned to hear of Ron’s passing last year in a tragic road accident. I purchased a 1977 Torana SLR 5000, mint julep colour, from his collection in 2009 & had it trucked home to W.A. He told me at the time he was selling it to make way for the “ Blue Meanie”. It’s a beautiful car, great to drive & I get a real buzz every time I take it out. Nothing looks or sounds quite the same as a 1970’s muscle car!

[@lomasck]

I had a SLR500.Black & white.Did the 1/4 mile in 13.5 sec.I sold it for $3500.

[@danielshuttler4413]

That was amazing, I had goose bumps watching that!!! The blue meanie, the a9x, what a collection

[@jaimusicxx]

(RIP Ron) Wowza, what a drive Glenn; an A9X..! That will stay with you for a long time mate

[@CalaisRider]

Geese Ron, you seem like a really nice down to earth person. Good-on-ya.

[@MrR31power]

Sad about Ron's passing R.I.P mate. Hope his collection stays together and is kept as Ron would want them to be.

[@jamesroyston8123]

Another great video Glenn of such beautiful iconic Aussie muscle cars. It is such loss to lose someone like Ron Klein. A car collector who obviously loved to share his collection with other car enthusiasts. May his next journey be a smooth & fast one up Mountain Straight into the McPhillamy Park of peace. RIP Ron

[@timfitzgerald109]

Amazing car collection & such a humble genuine Man with a great passion for cars who obviously liked to share them with us all.

[@vzr8power495]

That's my dream car right there love it 🇦🇺💪👍

[@MightyMick88]

Good job once again Fletch.

[@GlennEverittMasterofMachines]

Thanks mate, but I should tell you that I'm not Fletch, you've got me mixed up with classic Resto's. :-)

[@kaviengsurfer4495]

Glenn! thanks for this post! I wish youtube had a hidden camera so you see the grin on my face haha! Im 70s kid and those were the Golden years of car manufacturing. Cars that actually look good especially that A9X Hatchback!! oouff! bloody champion!

[@themysticclan9777]

What a collection!! Sad to hear about Ron.when did that happen? His enthusiasm for these iconic machines is inspirational for any Aussie muscle car fan.looking forward to seeing rest of collection

[@GlennEverittMasterofMachines]

Sadly Ron lost his life in a tragic road accident while driving his early 911 Porsche in 2019.

[@ls1hinchy546]

R.I.P Ron, m8 had the same orange/red torana but painted like the A9X with a targa top roof, A9X SS XU1 SLR etc ive been in and driven them all by the time i was 13 my old man had these as "daily drives" in the 80s but had nothing on his HQ 4 door GTS 350 black with venetian red stripe

[@KtmHoleShot]

Great video and presentation condolence to Ron’s family. Great collection enjoyed this episode very much. Looking forward to getting my Torana out for a cruise.👍

[@paullongmore4702]

Wow that is such a shame, the smile he had just talking about driving thought beautiful machines, the envy of any car enthusiast. Glen you have the greatest job in the world enjoy.

[@nojabjonny]

Very envious collection.. Long live the Red Socks Racing (RSR)

[@lomasck]

I sold my A9X for about $14000 in 1998.Such is life.

[@farvatron]

Don't feel too bad bro, you've probably forgotten how badly they drove! Look great, but lets face it, they were crap! Sorry for your loss all the same!

[@adamh3309]

So sad to hear about Ron. The bloke lived the dream, owned arguably 2of3 of the greatest aussie mussle cars ever built. RIP.

[@patbai6331]

mate well done absolutely Beautiful, very special

[@Bradley.maloo0133]

What a car, even with the steering a bit off kilter,they’re awesome to drive.

[@dantolo817]

Rip Ron Klein only the greatest die young

[@michaelcinar1452]

Thank you for another amazing video.

[@GlennEverittMasterofMachines]

Thanks for watching!

[@mickwebs]

Great video my dream car also thanks

[@jethrox827]

Mate when you were pulling down on that big long gear throw and giving it some stick, you looked like one serious guy possessed ;)

[@DwainDwight]

That A9X - wow. Not for $450k, but great all the same. RIP sir. great post old sport.

[@peterc3143]

Great looking car, the a9x

[@GlennEverittMasterofMachines]

Yes indeed

[@aussietaipan8700]

I had an A9X myself in 1981. I purchased it as a wreck, the rear of the car was level with the back seat. I was fortunately able to purchase the very last new complete hatch back shell from GMH . The car took 6 months to complete and it looked just like Ron's except mine was white. 2 weeks after it was back on the road it was again hit by a truck while parked. My BIG mistake was not having insurance on the car. It was completely wrecked. Mine was either 56 or 86, I cannot remember the exact number. We all live and learn.

[@rodbender7946]

That's some tough luck mate. If you ever get bored, drop in, you can help me build mine

[@aussietaipan8700]

@@rodbender7946 Thanks Ron, good luck with yours. I've moved on and into old WRXs and Merc CLA45 AMG's now. They are all insured.

[@stuartwilkes4434]

My stepdad had an original 4 door SLR 5000. We flew to Albury to pick it up and drove it back to Canberra, He must had had a bit of cash back then. He later sold it and bought a new A9X 4 door when they came out and it was a beast. Sadly (for the car) we lived out in the middle of a pine forest and kangaroos would rub against it in winter if the engine bay was warm so the paint took abit of a hiding. He still got a pretty penny for it 30 years ago when some young blokes tracked it down desperate to buy it.

[@daz746]

Been a Ford Falcon man my hole life but it kills me to know that Holden is not here any more to challenge the big Fords. What's the point if we dont have a Monaro, Torana or Commodore to run against down Conrod. Goodbye old friend.

[@billmago7991]

Yes we have all dreamed about owning an A9X......but we bought a house instead😂 RIP Ron Klein

[@glendooer6211]

1969 mate had a XU1 79 m on the clock a few hrs later after the pub he had a write off,

[@shortmanaut1736]

classic!

[@MAte925]

Only thing with with his a9x is i'd put a set of gold simmons wheels on her!😃😎👍

[@shoominati23]

Well specifically what happened with the A9X in racing, is that the L34 engine was already homologated, and even putting that aside, it would have never passed ADR27 emissions standard that came in with the introduction of the LX model in 1976 , so there was no need. But everyone big ups the GT HO as the aussie factory hotrod, but always overlooks the L34 , that is pretty remarkable that they were putting what was basically a formula 5000 engine in an over the counter vehicle!

[@GlennEverittMasterofMachines]

That's a really good point! In reality, the L34 had the angrier powerplant off the showroom floor, much like the GT-HO! Where the A9X was a relatively tame stocker ready for the upgrades. We must do a feature on one and tell the story.

[@shoominati23]

I think the improved production thing had run it's course by the time the A9X was released.. People were calling it (touring cars) formula Torana by this time too .. though the 80s were not unremarkable by any stretch of the imagination, as evidenced by the amount of varied marques in race results.

[@tuffstreetcars3245]

Hey Glenn Remember Rc Boys thats me on my revhead channel,omg toranas are the best when ever i see a torana in your vids i click on it before everything eles,i love holdens,by the way if you want to see my grandfathers torana check it out in my vids,your awsome,love your vids

[@carcaridon]

Fun facts : A9X Holden's 1st 4 wheel disc brakes A9X carried over the HQ direct steering column, however LX was worlds 1st collapsible steering column , world's 1st foot operated parking brake( to make hill starts more fun lol ), the hatch had the worlds 1st split fold rear seat. Not too sure but fuel filler behind number plate was special too. Something they should put back in cars so it doesn't matter what bowser you go to. Torana hatch,don't laugh because your mum is probably in the back. I had 4 4doors and a hatch and regret parting with all.

[@johncarne4550]

Foot brake started in the LH series

[@tomnewham1269]

This A9X looks so under tyred. It really needs bigger wheels to fill out those guards.

[@stinkfinger1942]

R.I.P.

[@stevengriffin7873]

It's actually a high pressure zone in front of the windscreen that forces air into the engine compartment.If it was a low pressure zone it would actually be sucking air OUT of the engine compartment,not exactly good for induction!

[@andrewlewis1528]

Cheeky vk on the right of him can see the grille

[@stevenyoung7277]

Correct me if im wrong. But i think that i spyied Dick Johnsons ex xu-1 in the back ground under the hoist behind the A9X 😕

[@GlennEverittMasterofMachines]

That's actually a replica of the HDT V8 Prototype. It will be featured in our next episode to be uploaded this weekend.

[@IcelanderUSer]

What car down under was popular in the 70s the same way the Trans Am was here in the US?

[@jarnosaarinen4583]

Is there any of them with the factory tent left? Not the A9X just the Hatchback!

[@GlennEverittMasterofMachines]

That was pretty cool in the day. I wonder too!

[@MrGoblin60]

Not to take away anything from the A9X but Ford had completely dropped the bundle by the time these monsters appeared and no one was able to compete against them. Always been a Ford fan but I appreciate the Holden and Mopar products of the '70's. Sad to hear of Ron's death.

[@carsonj1]

The A9X came out after the pollution laws came out, so everything after 1976 was rubbish when stock. It wasn’t until years later and really 1986 when unleaded petrol came out that we got some decent power back.

[@bobburns7277]

The road version of the A9X is NOT a Race car its homologation was facilitated by the L34 Torana. Basically an A9X is a V8 Torana with a stock 164Kw 308 with a wild body kit. The Diff, Suspension and Brakes are all stock OEM items crudely borrowed from the H series Holden. Whilst It definitely looks the part it's far from a high performance car!

[@saintraphael6311]

Hi there , did he get to take his car collection to heaven or hell???

[@glendooer6211]

Back in the days when they raced cars not badges

[@johnchurch4705]

RIP 🥺😢

[@brettlyde9220]

It's a high pressure point at the windshield not low pressure

[@GlennEverittMasterofMachines]

Here's a statement made some years ago by an ex GMH employee regarding the A9X rear facing induction scoop - 'This was designed to take advantage of the excellent breathing capabilities provided by the low air pressure zone at the base of the windscreen, and also allowed race teams to fit a cold-air box to further reduce inlet temperatures'.

[@steveelliott241]

i was working at this place with all these hotrod cars , big giant motors with induction systems sticking thru the bonnet with the hated cowl scoops . they were never sealed to the carby . the thinking was to leave a big open hole in the bonnet to let the underbonnet heat leave the engine bay via the cowl scoop . i taped some string across the scoop opening at the rear , and drove off down the road . at about 30 Ks , the string was getting sucked into the scoop . not by the carb , but by the pressure area at the base of the screen . most of been high pressure , otherwise it wouldnt of gotten blown in there

[@stevengriffin7873]

@@GlennEverittMasterofMachines Just because the employee said that doesn't make it right.The reason the air intake for the cabin is in front of the base of the windscreen is because it's a high pressure zone.It's the basis of the flow through ventilation system.If it were opposite then the scoop would be sucking air out of the engine compartment not letting it in.Read about the ventilation system years ago in some Holden blurb.Makes sense too,take the high pressure air from in front of the windscreen to blow lower pressure air in the cabin out.Helps to get the basics right.

[@chopperking1122]

radio was an option , a race car didnt need one

[@jimmartin9704]

When the A9X is put in race trim L34 donk T10 box Detroit diff They were arguably one of Australia's best race cars But stock from the factory, honestly a XTGT could give it a good run

[@GlennEverittMasterofMachines]

Spot on. It had the right platform and became a legend in race trim with the extra durability! The XT GT, now that you mention it, is a highly underrated car. Great all round package.

[@jimmartin9704]

@@GlennEverittMasterofMachines Yes i think all of Australia's muscle cars are brilliant, special times that we will never see again.

[@rodbender7946]

Mate, with a 2.6 dif ratio, what would you expect?

[@stevengriffin7873]

I thought the A9X had a Repco block.

[@rodbender7946]

@@stevengriffin7873 You actually think Repco set up for casting and machining the 308? I doubt it.

[@tobysemler]

Malcolm Turnbull has really let himself go.

[@davefroman4700]

This must have taken hours to shoot moving those cars around.

[@conservativesniperhunter7439]

I had a mate that had a beautiful black A9X with 10 inch gold Simmons rims on the back and 9 inch rims up front , it had beautiful custom red interior seats . Long story short , he took it to these low life scum bag mechanics in Marrickville in Sydney back in the late 1980s or early 90s for some repairs and when he went to see them 4 days later they said it’s gone . They stole his car and played dumb . He never saw that car again . If it was my car I probably would have shot em all .

[@tomnewham1269]

I bet your mate was devestated. Some people just shouldn't be allowed to roam the streets.

[@conservativesniperhunter7439]

@@tomnewham1269 Mate he was . From memory he went to the local cop shop to tell them but when they went to talk to those low life mechanics they claimed that they never worked on any Torana A9X , the cops just shrugged their shoulders and told my mate there’s nothing they can do .

[@Jim-ok9zi]

He should has burnt there workshop to the ground with them in it 😡

[@docgonzales]

Conservative Sniper Hunter those spivs down there in the early 90's were awful, i had a Rover SD1 have work down there and it literally took months to drop in a reconditioned engine, and when i did get it back they didnt put any oil in it. I know exactly who you are talking about.

[@CybreSmee]

Woopty do. My wife's Mazda would take that any day.

[@DaveSmith-ep9ew]

Can't get laid in mazda

[@bazcar22]

Hated the A9X, cumbersome and heavy, much preferred my XU1

[@Seagole]

Awesome motor car

[@jimclarke1108]

A9X, To me is equal to the phase 3

[@gdawwg1125]

To me it kills the old falcon boat

[@jimclarke1108]

@V_ AP Not at Bathurst ))

[@aussiesupersnake6642]

They were a gutless heap of junk compared to a phase 3 and suspension wise you are talking of a 8 year old younger car,The phase 3 was king in 1971

[@gdawwg1125]

@@aussiesupersnake6642 yet the gutless peace of junk beat the falcons all through the 70’s

[@peterl7346]

Equal to regular production GT HO's??? Haha. The available to the public, stock A9X was just packed full of performance goodies. 220 hp and 300 ft/lb engine, backed up with a Aussie 4 speed and a banjo diff. Really just a Sunbird with a cheap bolt on flare kit.

[@johnfrancis6010]

I have a nin

[@ACE-gk5gi]

The best of all the Holdens...torana' hatchback!most evilest shap to ever exist for a car..ya goofy m8te from Australia

[@brettperryman7578]

U

[@aussiesupersnake6642]

Who this bloke trying to kid,these things from showroom were high 16 sec quarter mile with 2.6 ratio diff were painful

[@GlennEverittMasterofMachines]

Not trying to kid anyone. Never said it was a fire breathing monster off the showroom floor. What they became in race trim is what matters most in my book. It's all about the motorsport history when it comes to the A9X.

[@idrstwn]

God damn!! Sexy nice car dude!

[@joe-hp4nk]

You're driving on the wrong side.

[@farvatron]

Who came up with the concept/name for this channel? HEAPS of good content ruined by bad PR. Lose the stupid name, lose the dorky jacket, lose some weight or get a younger presenter. Shits me that I have to stomach this format for this content. Get a clue and you might get some more subscribers!

[@GlennEverittMasterofMachines]

Sorry to put you through all that pain. Anyway, most of this content was created for TV, and the networks drove the concept, not me. Watch some of my latest content, and you'll see I've dropped over 20kg. I've never heard such negative comments toward what I do, only appreciation for all my hard work over the years trying to keep it funded. Still, I appreciate all feedback. I've recently returned to my trade as a high-performance technician, and hope to raise funding to produce new content sometime in the future.

[@johncarne4550]

@@GlennEverittMasterofMachines Do your own thing Glenn ,,, Its YOUR SHOW M8

[@GlennEverittMasterofMachines]

@@johncarne4550 , yes mate I do. 🙂

[@lesliedevlin8501]

Great show people 💯💯💯💪💪💪🤡🤡🤡👀👀👀