What Made the LX SS Torana A9X So Special | Clunie Garage

We show you why the Holden LX SS Torana A9X is so special and the best muscle car in the world. The LX SS Torana A9X hatchback is a very special muscle car and was originally launched in July 1977. The LX SS Torana A9X is widely regarded as the best touring car ever to be produced in Australia with touring car championship and Bathurst wins in 1978 and 1979. The LX SS Torana A9X had 3 main attributes that we explain in this video: Looks, Performance and Track Record.
They were quite simply, untouchable.
#a9x
#torana
#lxss

[@dazzalexander482]

My all time favourite muscle car... Great episode buddy.

[@ClunieGarage]

Thanks Dazz! They were pretty special hey!

[@dazzalexander482]

I'm torn between the a9x the 85 group A and Brock's Mobil vp

[@richosborne1362]

Love my Torana's and I love Brocky, both legends of Australian motor racing history.

[@FredmChoice]

Another great segment Thanks

[@ClunieGarage]

Our pleasure!

[@tomreynolds5774]

What an intro! Great work Fred and Clunie Garage production team.

[@ClunieGarage]

Thanks Tom, our editing skills are slowly getting better. Only took 110 videos! 😂

[@chrish4469]

There are also 4 door A9Xs The L31 is the standard 308 (The road A9X had the L31 308) It wasn't an homologation engine. L32 was the 253 V8 and the L20 was the 202 six cylinder

[@3800TURBO]

It must have been emissions regulation that stopped them putting the L34 engine in the A9X.

[@chrish4469]

@@3800TURBO Yes, For the road A9X's, But the racing A9X's had the L34 engines

[@no-namecrown5510]

The 5.0 V8 had 308 cast into the left bank. The A9X 5.0 had HP cast into the left bank.

[@mickgunn4979]

I had a Black A9X 77 LX SS Hatchback with a factory fitted L34 Blueprint 5-liter V8, Carter competition 4-barrel carb, Salisbury limited slip diff, 4-wheel disk brakes, heavy duty 4 speed box and clutch it had all the bolt on guards, bonnet scoop and spoilers, the wheels were hot wire 14" with TA 245 Tyres on the front and TA 265 Tyres on the back. I didn't know what a rare beast I had it was probably a one-off car wish I still had the car but sold it to a guy in the air force I don't know if the car is still around or not.

[@obiemichaels9675]

Great story

[@amraceway]

There is probably not one completely original factory A9X in existence. They were only sold with a standard 308 as the rules allowed many engine upgrades, hence no hot motor. The L34 had the highly modified 308 option fitted as standard.

[@MrClemmo13]

I’ve always loved the Torana’s. Back in my mid 20s and early 30s I always wanted an A9X or an SL/R 5000. Still never ended up owning one. Thanks for the great info

[@ClunieGarage]

Right on

[@SirDaffyD]

I'm sure if Cleatus knew Brocky, He'd agree with you. ;) Big Torana and Brocky fan myself, growing up through the 70's. Only ever owned 4 cars myself, 3 being Torana's, 70 LC 2600, 74 LC 2850, and a 78 LX 4.2, the other car was a Gemini. All other cars since them have been in the wifes name, lol. Great video. I've subbed, so looking forward to the next one.

[@ClunieGarage]

Thanks for watching mate, yes I grew up watching him as well. Huge fan and thanks for the sub btw!

[@wallywalpamur4960]

@@ClunieGarage 74 LC? Interesting

[@chrish4469]

Cleatus knows all about Brocky.

[@SirDaffyD]

@@wallywalpamur4960. LOL oops! LJ. 😁

[@billmago7991]

Hey my 1989 5lt VN wagon has the rts badge on the dash 😅

[@angry9901]

I remember a powder blue A9X four door back in the day, you had to order a SLR5000 and then tick the A9X option box . What happened to the A9X at Bathurst 1977?

[@ClunieGarage]

G'day Angry, from memory it was a 1-2 for the big coupes in 1977. They rained on the A9X parade! Things changed a bit in '78-79 though....

[@kobie7515]

77 was rushed into bathurst . Did not have the gearing sorted for conrod and had few other minor issues that needed ironing out . Not unusual for any car of the day . Just needed time to sort out the bugs and it was unbeatable .but i think the 2:6 dif ratio in 78 79 made very big difference at bathurst . Not sure if they used m21 in 77 or super T10 ? But gearing for super T10 would of needed playing with too as it was also new addition to racing toranas at bathurst

[@obiemichaels9675]

@kobie7515 the gearing problem at Bathurst in 1977 was that Holden had homologated the 2.60 diff ratio, but the teams found in practice the gearing was too tall. They had not accounted for the larger rolling diameter of the rear tyres fitted to the A9X over those of the L34 so teams had to rush 3.08 ratios into the cars resulting in a few diff failures. Brocks car had rubbing rear tyres that caused issues. The T10 was in use in 77

[@chromatic1976]

Ha, the good old Braddon Friday nights, great times

[@ClunieGarage]

You betcha, they were the days (nights). I recall receiving a defect and advice on how not to negotiate a roundabout on Lonsdale Street one evening 🤣

[@pedroangelo4244]

Great video! I wish we could still buy the actual cars they race today. Times have changed....

[@ClunieGarage]

Thanks Pedro! The current V8 Supercars bear no resemblance to todays cars...

[@MrJcalais]

Vegemite sandwich on the passage seat how Australian is that?

[@pedroangelo4244]

Love the reference to the vegemite sandwich! So true too!

[@ClunieGarage]

G'day John, yep imagine punting down conrod munching on a sanga. Classic!

[@MrJcalais]

@@ClunieGarage we always wondered why brocky had his arm on the window? I reckon it was to hide his Vegemite sandwich lol

[@jimclarke1108]

Greatest all round holden

[@ClunieGarage]

G'day Jim, you bet. Our all time favourite!

[@hairyscary8511]

In the 90s a good mate had the UC Sunbird with the 355 stroker that looked the part as most on the road ,but an other mates aunty had a genuine VK SS in silver the only genuine 1 I've been in!

[@toddstewart5]

I absolutely must know where you got the image of the street/race A9x reflection - that would make the sickest of posters!! - please point me in the right direction

[@billmago7991]

Such an awesome car Holden didn't even bother racing the new VB commy

[@ClunieGarage]

Glad you liked the video Bill! Yep, they were simply awesome. 😀

[@obiemichaels9675]

Ahh yes they did

[@billmago7991]

​@@obiemichaels9675ok if you count the around oz trial in 79..... Bathurst 80 was a vc

[@obiemichaels9675]

@billmago7991 the 1980 championship was run in a VB.

[@7071t6]

A9X running gear in the VB/VC/VH and then all changed in the Vk? All group c racing cars, which now are all in private hands, even though you can see then at various holden historical museums, but held by private hands?

[@ClunieGarage]

G'day, yes I think all private owners have them now. Would love to build one again.

[@CalinDee]

Yup. Brocky had enough sway with GMH back then that he, with HDT, had the engine changed to the A9L (destroked to 304 to bring it below the 5000cc barrier) to gain a weight advantage in the series.

[@angry9901]

Under Group C, the motor had to be under 6 litres but for Group A the motor had to be under 5 litres.

[@ruppyhouse]

I wish those days where still here too. V8 supercars frustrate me because they bear nothing in common with what you buy at the dealership other than a vague resemblance.

[@ClunieGarage]

Exactly our thoughts. Will be interesting to see how the new Gen 3 cars and series interest goes.

[@johnfrancis6010]

I agree I have one also

[@deekks]

I think you forgot to mention they won by 6 laps in 1979

[@ClunieGarage]

Yes, what an achievement. That point is included on the back to back banner we have in our garage.

[@dazzalexander482]

Did this car come with optional 350 engine?

[@ClunieGarage]

No, I dont think they did. Only the L31 308 V8.

[@kobie7515]

Def not but many owners fitted them to street cars . Had a supercharged 350 sbc in a 4door A9X replica . Too much power for old torana they better car with less than 500hp thanks all the same 😂

[@stevenchandler4218]

Nice little bit of literature Fred ✔

[@ClunieGarage]

Thanks Steven, lots of nostalgic history!

[@johnfrancis6010]

Let the Lions Roar😢

[@michaeljeffery9898]

They Sold the first A9X a few yrs ago from memory they found it in the back of someone's shed

[@ClunieGarage]

G'day Michael, yes I think they did. Went for a squillion dollars too!

[@GODEES77]

Love your content but I had to turn off, the constant walking and camera movements made me feel sick

[@ClunieGarage]

No worries, we will keep things more stable next episode!

[@GODEES77]

@@ClunieGarage don’t mean to sound like a Karen. I get vertigo and because of an inner ear problem some things make feel nauseous. Great content and I will endeavour to keep watching. Thanks for the reply and again sorry for being a Karen

[@ClunieGarage]

Hey mate, no worries at all. I have relatives with the same condition so totally get it. Thanks heaps for watching our channel mate and you enjoy our builds and humour!

[@Sam-sj4pd]

lol we've all blown a banjo

[@bullboyracing9517]

Please how much would two hundred kilowatts be back in the 70s when horsepower was there rating not kilowatts

[@GRIFAbyte101]

It would be around 300hp.

[@stevenb9844]

Ford lovers wipe the saliva from the corners of your mouth, don't trip on your bottom lip🤣

[@ClunieGarage]

Haha, nice one Steven. Frankie has given me a bit of curry about this latest video. Gotta love the A9X and its heroics at Bathurst.

[@jimmartin9704]

What made it so special, ditching the m21, 10 bolt diff and fixing up the fragile L34 After 4 years of racing they finally got cams to homogate the T10, Detroit locker with made them bulletproof. It was definitely the best race car in group c format in which it raced

[@michaelgill5186]

Sucked totally as a road car ..as did all Toranas worst small medium cars I ever drove..thank goodness they were ok as a track car .. you think you hate it now...wait till you drive it...crude rude and vulgar ... Ford's Forever !!!